shāng商yáng羊gǔ鼓wǔ舞
An omen or a sign that presages a major impending event, often a significant change or a difficult situation, similar to how the mythical Shang Yang bird's dance portends heavy rain.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Spring and Autumn period, in the State of Qi, a peculiar one-legged bird flew above the palace and landed in front of the main hall. It began hopping vigorously on its single leg.
The Marquis of Qi found this very strange, as he had never encountered such a sight. He dispatched an envoy to the State of Lu to consult Confucius.
Confucius explained that this bird was called Shang Yang. He said that its behavior, resembling a child playing hopscotch while flapping its wings, was a sign that a torrential downpour was imminent.