What animal does the word "nan" refer to - answer: harrier.

Southern Harrier and Northern Eagle

nán yào běi yīng

Explanation: Harrier and eagle: two birds of prey. In the south is a kite, in the north is an eagle. A metaphor for a person with a severe personality.

Source: "Book of Jin Cui Hongzhuan": "The thorns come from Boling. They are harriers in the south and eagles in the north."

Structure combined type

Used as object and attributive; referring to a person with an upright and severe character

Idiom story During the reign of Emperor Wu of Jin Dynasty, Cui Hong, the imperial censor, was upright, honest and honest. He was famous for his outspokenness and had spoken out many times to give advice. Emperor Wu of Jin Dynasty was reused by Emperor Wu. Many ministers in the court were very afraid of him and commented on him: "He is covered with thorns and comes from Boling. He is a harrier in the south and an eagle in the north."