Silver Ounce 2020 Celestial Animals - The Red Phoenix, Coin from Niue - detailed information

Niue, a sovereign state in free association with New Zealand, uses two official legal tender currencies. The New Zealand Dollar is the circulation currency for daily transactions, while the government also authorises legal tender coins in the Niue Dollar currency for collector's purposes.

A number of mints issue a large variety of commemorative, bullion and collector coins under the authority of Niue. These coins are dedicated to historical or general popular culture themes not related to Niue itself. Many of them are in standard bullion sizes - typically, one ounce of silver (abbreviated as 1 oz Ag, where "Ag" comes from the Latin word for silver, Argentum). Many of these feature popular characters from myths, legends and tales.

This coin is part of a New Zealand Mint series which celebrates the Celestial Animals of Feng Shui and features The Red Phoenix.

In the Chinese feng shui, each of the five elements is represented by a different animal, known as the Celestial Animals of Feng Shui. Each animal is associated with an element, direction and colour. The animals are said to have guarded their corresponding landscapes centuries ago. When the animals are used following the guidelines of feng shui, it is said to bring feelings of harmony and peace

The Red Phoenix represents the Fire element, and presides over the South with the summer season. The phoenix has a strong yang energy, and symbolises virtue and duty. The phoenix is often construed as the vermilion bird, which shares many common traits.