The bronze sacred tree of the Shu has nine branches from the trunk, each holding a bird and 3 fruits. The sacred tree symbolizes Fushang and Ruomu, which are considered to be connected with the Heaven and the Earth. At the base is a dragon. The bird was sacred and was also a symbol for the sun. Shu dynasties were given names of birds. Is this saying the Earth has 9 dynasties? Or 9 suns?