** Though, this is only true with [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions|the remake]] (Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver), and not [[Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|the original]] (Pokémon Gold and Silver).
** Though, this is only true with [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions|the remake]] (Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver), and not [[Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|the original]] (Pokémon Gold and Silver).
* Ho-Oh, along with Lugia are the only two legendary version mascots with counterparts that have not had a conflict in the anime.
* Ho-Oh, along with Lugia are the only two legendary version mascots with counterparts that have not had a conflict in the anime.
** However, in the opening of The Johto Journeys, there is a brief scene of the two facing off in the sky.
* Despite Pokédex entries making reference to Ho-Oh's rainbow colored feathers, the colors of Ho-Oh's feathers colors consist of only green, white, red and gold.
* Despite Pokédex entries making reference to Ho-Oh's rainbow colored feathers, the colors of Ho-Oh's feathers colors consist of only green, white, red and gold.
* It is indirectly said in a myth in {{5v2|Gold|Silver|Crystal|HeartGold|SoulSilver}} that it created {{p|Raikou}}, {{p|Entei}}, and {{p|Suicune}}.
* It is indirectly said in a myth in {{5v2|Gold|Silver|Crystal|HeartGold|SoulSilver}} that it created {{p|Raikou}}, {{p|Entei}}, and {{p|Suicune}}.
It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.
It is often considered to be closely related to Lugia, even sometimes as its polar opposite. Silver represents Lugia as "guardian of the seas", and Gold represents Ho-Oh as "guardian of the skies."
Ho-Oh is a phoenix-like bird with gold and red being its dominant colors. Ho-Oh also resembles a peacock. Ho-Oh has yellow tail-feathers, a white underside, and green feathers at the tip of its wings. Ho-Oh has a green stripe on its neck, a yellow beak, black rings around its red-iris eyes, and a feathered-crest. Ho-Oh's wings are prismatic, causing it to trail a rainbow behind it.
Gender differences
Ho-Oh is a genderless species.
Special abilities
Ho-Oh's most notable ability is its mythical power to resurrect the dead. Ho-Oh is the only known Pokémon that learns Sacred Fire and can hold Sacred Ash. It is said that when it flies its huge wings create bright, colorful rainbows.
Behavior
Not much is known about this creature, due to the fact that few trainers have been lucky enough to see it. It has been observed to be territorial at times when its nest is disturbed. It freely flies the world's skies in search of a Trainer with a pure heart.
According to the anime, Ho-Oh lived in the Tin Tower in ancient times. When a war broke out, burning both the Tin Tower and the Brass Tower down, it created Raikou, Entei, and Suicune, and all four disappeared. Later, a new Tin Tower was erected, but Ho-Oh since then has never come back for sure. A sacred flame from Ho-Oh burns in the Dragon's Den; it was obtained during the same war.
A Ho-Oh appeared to Ash at the end of the first episode, flying across the sky after the thunderstorm.
After competing in the Silver Conference, Ash saw Ho-Oh flying towards Hoenn. This encouraged him to get over his depression at his loss and continue his journey.
Ho-Oh was seen flying into the sunset at the end of Battling the Enemy Within. This time, Brock, May, Max, Scott and Brandon saw Ho-Oh as well (on a slightly related note, this time, someone else other than Ash managed to identify it first).
Minor appearances
Ho-Oh had a cameo appearance during the opening sequence for Jirachi: Wish Maker.
There is no data. There still are Pokémon yet to be identified.
In the manga
Ho-Oh in Pokémon Adventures
In Pokémon Adventures, Ho-Oh was used by the Masked Man to kidnap children showing remarkable talent in his scheme to capture Celebi, including Green and Silver, six years prior to the start of the entire manga. Prior to the events of the GSC saga, Pryce had lost his control over Ho-Oh, and thus attacked Tin Tower using Team Rocket to prompt Ho-Oh to return to Ecruteak City. Ho-Oh was later seen at Indigo Plateau under Pryce's control, alongside Lugia, wreaking havoc and destruction. It was then lent to Karen and Will to fight Green with alongside Lugia, and nearly defeated her legendary birds, but both of them were eventually brought back to their senses and freed.
Ho-Oh's feathers glow in seven colors depending on the angle at which they are struck by light. These feathers are said to bring happiness to the bearers. This Pokémon is said to live at the foot of a rainbow.
Its feathers--which glow in seven colors depending on the angle at which they are struck by light--are thought to bring joy. It is said to live at the foot of a rainbow.
Ho-Oh has the highest single base stat of all Fire-type Pokémon.
Ho-Oh is tied with Lugia and Rayquaza for highest base stat total of all Flying-type Pokémon. Tied with Reshiram, it also has the highest base stat total of all Fire-type Pokémon.
In HeartGold and SoulSilver, when the Kimono Girls are summoning the legendary Pokémon, they dance clockwise for Ho-Oh and counterclockwise for Lugia.
Ho-Oh is one of four game mascots that shares the first letter of its name with the game it is the mascot of: HeartGold. The other three are Blastoise (Blue), Dialga (Diamond), and Palkia (Pearl).
Though, this is only true with the remake (Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver), and not the original (Pokémon Gold and Silver).
Ho-Oh, along with Lugia are the only two legendary version mascots with counterparts that have not had a conflict in the anime.
However, in the opening of The Johto Journeys, there is a brief scene of the two facing off in the sky.
Despite Pokédex entries making reference to Ho-Oh's rainbow colored feathers, the colors of Ho-Oh's feathers colors consist of only green, white, red and gold.
Ho-Oh's dream world ability Regenerator reflects that of an actual Phoenix.
Origin
Ho-Oh is based on the Huma bird, a legendary bird that is said to never rest, living its entire life flying continuously, and resurrects itself and others in its own ashes and flames. It is a symbol of fortune and friendship and will bestow happiness to anyone who simply glimpses it. Ho-Oh, like Moltres, is also based on the legend of the Phoenix; unlike Moltres, it is based more on the Fenghuang, the immortal phoenix of China. Many cultures view the Phoenix and Huma as symbols of resurrection; this is seen in Ho-Oh, which was reborn rising from its own ashes and had a hand in resurrecting Suicune, Raikou and Entei. It may also be based on many other firebirds; some examples are the Three-legged bird, Simurgh, and the Ember Bird. It also is similar to the rainbow-feathered bird god Achiyalabopa. Its name suggests it might be based on the Chinese phoenixes, known as hou-ous.
Name origin
Its English name is simply another way of transcribing 鳳凰 Hōō, which is the Japanese word for phoenix, specifically the Chinese phoenix, or Fènghuáng.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.