The legend of the phoenix prevails throughout many cultures as a symbol of high virtue, grace, power, prosperity, strength, peace, purity and life. The phoenix can be found in religion, mythology and folk lore
I have always liked the idea, rising from the ashes to start anew. The idea of reinventing or rebirth or resurrection.
In Greek and Roman legends, the Phoenix is the symbol of immortality and resurrection.
It is associated with the Sun god Phoebus (Apollo). Its name "Phoenix" is the Greek word for "red",
which links this magical bird to fire and the sun. It is said to resemble an eagle or a peacock.
It is associated with the Sun god Phoebus (Apollo). Its name "Phoenix" is the Greek word for "red",
which links this magical bird to fire and the sun. It is said to resemble an eagle or a peacock.
The Greek believed that the Phoenix lived in Arabia, in a cool well. At dawn, each morning, it sung
a beautiful song, so beautiful that the Sun god would stop his chariot to listen. The Phoenix is a unique bird, there may only exist one at a time, which makes it a solitary bird. It does not reproduce, which adds to its loneliness, as only its death will bring on another of its race. When it feels its end approaching (between 500 and 1461 years, depending on the legend), it builds a nest with the finest aromatic woods,sets it on fire, and is consumed by his own flames. From the pile of ashes, a new Phoenix arises, young and powerful. It then embalms the ashes of its predecessor in an egg of myrrh, and flies to the city of the Sun, Heliopolis, where he deposits the egg on the altar of the Sun god.
a beautiful song, so beautiful that the Sun god would stop his chariot to listen. The Phoenix is a unique bird, there may only exist one at a time, which makes it a solitary bird. It does not reproduce, which adds to its loneliness, as only its death will bring on another of its race. When it feels its end approaching (between 500 and 1461 years, depending on the legend), it builds a nest with the finest aromatic woods,sets it on fire, and is consumed by his own flames. From the pile of ashes, a new Phoenix arises, young and powerful. It then embalms the ashes of its predecessor in an egg of myrrh, and flies to the city of the Sun, Heliopolis, where he deposits the egg on the altar of the Sun god.
The following is a text by a Roman author, Claudian, which tells the story of the Phoenix.
This poetic version is translated by Henry Vaughan.
THE PHOENIX
He knows his time is out! and doth provide
New principles of life; herbs he brings dried
From the hot hills, and with rich spices frames
A Pile shall burn, and Hatch him with his flames.
New principles of life; herbs he brings dried
From the hot hills, and with rich spices frames
A Pile shall burn, and Hatch him with his flames.
On this the weakling sits; salutes the Sun
With pleasant noise, and prays and begs for some
Of his own fire, that quickly may restore
The youth and vigor, which he had before.
Whom soon as Phoebus * spies, stopping his rays
With pleasant noise, and prays and begs for some
Of his own fire, that quickly may restore
The youth and vigor, which he had before.
Whom soon as Phoebus * spies, stopping his rays
He makes a stand, and thus allays his pains......
He shakes his locks, and from his golden head,
Shoots on bright beam, which smites with vital fire
He shakes his locks, and from his golden head,
Shoots on bright beam, which smites with vital fire
The willing bird; to burn is his desire.
That he may live again; he's proud in death,
And goes in haste to gain a better breath.
The spice heap fired with celestial rays
Doth burn the aged Phoenix, when straight stays
The Chariot of the amazed Moon; the pole
Resists the wheeling, swift Orbs, and the wholeFabric of Nature at a stand remains.
Till the old bird anew, young begins again.
That he may live again; he's proud in death,
And goes in haste to gain a better breath.
The spice heap fired with celestial rays
Doth burn the aged Phoenix, when straight stays
The Chariot of the amazed Moon; the pole
Resists the wheeling, swift Orbs, and the wholeFabric of Nature at a stand remains.
Till the old bird anew, young begins again.
* Phoebus another name for Apollo, but is also a poetic word to describe the sun.
I chose this appropriate symbol to signify my rebirth into this world, free from the loneliness and isolation of depression, strong in my resolve and rising from the ashes of my past.
I have always been drawn to the phoenix, the idea of rebirth, the idea of strength prevailing. I did not know until I started this journey why I was so drawn to the symbol. Finding now, in my quest for health and enlightenment, the phoenix is for me a talisman of sorts, not that it holds for me any mystical powers, rather it grounds me and reminds me of the reason for my journey.
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