It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.
It is often considered to be closely related to Lugia as a duo, 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 an avian Pokémon resembling a phoenix and a peacock. Its feathers are predominantly gold and red, with 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 eyes, and a feathered, yellow crest on its head. Ho-Oh's wings are prismatic, causing it to trail a rainbow behind it. It has darkly colored feet and legs with four toes and long talons.
Ho-Oh has a mythical power to resurrect the dead. Ho-Oh was the only known Pokémon to learn Sacred Fire, its former signature move. It is said that when it flies its huge wings create bright, colorful rainbows. The rare few who bear witness to Ho-Oh are promised an eternal happiness. Ho-Oh used to perch at the top of the Bell Tower (or Tin Tower) until the Brass Tower was destroyed by fire. It now presumably flies through 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 alongside a rainbow 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 other than Ash managed to identify it first).
There is no data. There still are Pokémon yet to be identified.
In the manga
Ho-Oh in Pokémon Adventures
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
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 the 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.
When released from a Poké Ball, Ho-Oh unleashes a spiral of Sacred Fire that deals massive amounts of damage to any opponent caught in it.
Melee trophy information
As it soars around the skies of the world, this Rainbow Pokemon leaves a trail of rainbows and myths in its wake. Its signature move is called Sacred Fire, and it is believed to appear only before trainers who are pure of heart. If you see a trainer with Ho-oh, you can assume that catching it took a lot of work.
Brawl trophy information
"A Rainbow Pokémon. On sparkling wings of seven colors, Ho-Oh leaves a rainbow behind as it flies. Legend says that Ho-Oh suppressed a war that scorched the land in ancient times. Its attack Sacred Fire can melt ice in an instant and also damage the target with burns. Ho-Oh will show its solemn figure only for the most righteous Trainers."
Game data
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
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 is the first Generation II Pokémon to be shown in the anime, making it the first sign that the franchise would ever expand beyond 151 Pokémon. It is seen at the end of the very first episode of the anime. However, the Pokédex does not know what it is.
Ho-Oh has the highest Special Defense base stat of all Fire-type Pokémon and is tied with Lugia for the highest Special Defense base stat of all Flying-type Pokémon.
Ho-Oh is tied with Lugia, Rayquaza, and Yveltal for highest base stat total of all Flying-type Pokémon and is tied with Reshiram for the highest base stat total of all Fire-type Pokémon.
Ho-Oh and 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, and the first preview for M13 featured the two fighting despite neither of them appearing in the movie.
So far, Ho-Oh is the only Legendary Generation II Pokémon to have never appeared in any movie (only in introductions and as a disguise used by Mew).
Ho-Oh's Hidden Ability Regenerator reflects a phoenix's ability to be reborn from its ashes.
Origin
Ho-Oh is based on the legend of the phoenix, specifically the Fenghuang, the immortal phoenix of China from which it derives its name. It is also 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. 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.
Name origin
Ho-Oh and Houou are alternate transcriptions of 鳳凰 Hōō (phoenix), specifically the Chinese phoenix, Fènghuáng. The ou may also refer to 皇 ō (emperor) or 王 ō (king).
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.