Birds are frequently depicted in Xieyi painting through fluid brushstrokes that capture their form, movement, and energy, with symbolic meanings adding depth and emphasizing freedom, spontaneity, and the beauty of nature, while also showing the artist's technical skill and observation of the world.
Common subjects in Xieyi painting include bamboo, plum blossoms, landscapes, birds, flowers, and animals, each imbued with symbolism and representing aspects of nature and the artist's inner world.