The tree that represents nobility in the Chinese legend "A Chinese Legend" is the phoenix tree. According to the legend, the phoenix tree is regarded as a holy and noble tree because it is the only tree where the phoenix, a symbol of nobility and dignity, will dwell. The phoenix tree embodies the idea of nobility as the sacred bird, the phoenix, inhabits it exclusively, symbolizing royal dignity and honor. The story mentions that the phoenix tree's branches are divided into three layers and are associated with the royal family, as exemplified by a tale from the Zhou dynasty. The brother of King Zhou Cheng was given a leaf from the phoenix tree shaped like a Jade Tablet as a symbol of official seal and honor, underscoring the tree's connection with nobility. Thus, the phoenix tree stands as the symbol of nobility in the story of "A Chinese Legend" because of its unique association with the phoenix and its connections to royalty and dignity in Chinese culture.
