Bianfu

Bianfu (蝙蝠) is the Mandarin Chinese word for "bat," the flying mammal. The word is composed of two characters: 蝙 (biān), which has no independent meaning outside of this compound word but contributes to the overall meaning of a small, flying creature, and 蝠 (fú), which shares a pronunciation with the character 福 (fú), meaning "good fortune" or "blessing."

Due to the homophony between 蝠 (fú) and 福 (fú), bats are often considered symbols of good luck, happiness, and prosperity in Chinese culture. This association appears frequently in Chinese art, folklore, and traditional decorative motifs. For example, five bats depicted together symbolize the "Five Blessings" (五福 - wǔ fú): longevity, wealth, health, love of virtue, and a peaceful death.

While bats are generally viewed positively in Chinese cultural contexts, their association with disease and potential zoonotic transmission has brought about more nuanced perceptions in recent times, particularly in light of concerns regarding the origins of certain infectious diseases. Despite these more recent concerns, the traditional symbolism of bats as auspicious creatures remains prevalent.