This paper intends to elaborate the theme of zhēn qín (rare bird) in Tang poetry and to explore both the literary denotations and cultural connotations concerning diverse rare birds by means of scrutinizing the texts collected in Quan Tangshi. I will argue that rare birds are cherished for their conspicuous beauty and for their profound metaphoric significance as well. Rare birds-especially those treasured by royal families and merchants are generally regarded as precious species because of their graceful and elegant features. Moreover, the Chinese character zhēn (珍) not only connotes the goodness and nobleness of human souls but also signifies the Confucian humanism about the relationship between ruler and subject. Furthermore, I will analyze the related topics and allegories of certain stereotypes such as ordinary birds and evil birds via casting a new light on the categories of rare birds in Tang poetry.