Phoenix – Symbol of Immortality
A Mythical Bird Connected With Resurrection, Healing, and Peace
The Phoenix lives a long life, and then is consumed by flames, only to immediately rise again from the ashes. This mythical bird is surrounded by folklore and legend.
The beautiful scarlet and golden Phoenix bird is synonymous with rebirth or recovery, especially after calamity. Originally from the traditions of ancient Phoenicia, the Phoenix has a counterpart in many other cultures.
Phoenix Bird Lore
The lore surrounding the Phoenix bird has countless variations, with some of the earliest accounts dating back to eight centuries before the birth of Christ. The bird traditionally lives near a cool well which it visits each morning to bathe and sing. It is a stunningly beautiful bird with an entrancing song, captivating enough to make even the Sun stop to listen. If the Phoenix is injured, it can heal itself and enjoy a life span of 500 to more than 1000 years.
When the Phoenix reaches the end of its life, it’s said to build itself a nest of aromatic spices such as cinnamon and myrrh. It then sets the nest and itself on fire and is burned to ashes. Shortly, the Phoenix rises again and begins its life anew. In some traditions, the new Phoenix gathers up the ashes of the old and takes them to Heliopolis to offer them to the Sun God.
The Phoenix Bird as a Peace Symbol
While the Phoenix is traditionally associated mainly with rebirth - something rising from destruction to begin again, or the daily rebirth of the sun - it is also strongly connected with peace. In many tales, the bird lives only on dewdrops and never harms anything; rather its powers of healing and regeneration bring comfort and an end to suffering.
The saga of Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling has elevated the Phoenix to new heights of mythical and magical ability—the great wizard Dumbledore has a Phoenix bird that not only blazes and returns much more often than every 500 years, but plays a frequent role in saving the lives of others.
The fabled virtues of the Phoenix, gathered from J K Rowling and other sources, include:
- The tendency to inspire creativity and hope with its beautiful appearance and song.
- The ability to heal mortal wounds with its tears.
- The ability to heal itself, either spontaneously or through cremation and rebirth.
- The ability to disappear, sometimes with a flash of light or sudden blast of flame that is unlike the blaze that marks the beginning of a new life.
- Magical feathers that impart special properties to other objects they are used in, such as magic wands.
Mythical birds from other cultures that are very similar to the Phoenix include:
- The Egyptian Benu, linked to the Sun God.
- Fenghuang—a Chinese bird associated with the Empress and the power bestowed upon her.
- Russian firebird Zhar-Ptitsa.
Religious groups, political parties, organizations, communities (notably Phoenix, Arizona) and countries have all officially used the symbolism of the Phoenix bird, usually to suggest the rebirth of something.
Related Content:
Japanese Cranes - Symbols of Peace
Sources:
"The Phoenix." Carlos Parada. Greek Mythology Link.
