The Phoenix bird is a creature known in the mythologies of various cultures. According to one version, she burns herself in order to rise from the ashes, according to the other, her chick appears from the ashes. In a metaphorical sense, the Phoenix bird represents immortality.
The description of the Phoenix bird is similar in all sources. She looks like a large eagle with flaming plumage of reds and golds. Multiple revival allows the bird to live from 160 to 500 years (and different sources call different life expectancy). But it is invariable that the Phoenix bird is directly related to the cult of the Sun and is a symbol of eternity, cyclicality, immortality. The magic bird feeds on the morning dew and is a positive character, appealing to humility, meekness, creativity and goodness.
In some cultures, such as China, it symbolizes marital fidelity, while in Christianity it portends the resurrection of the dead. And according to other ancient scriptures, the bird received its immortality just for meekness - it, along with other animals, was placed by Noah on the ark. Phoenix is the only one who did not need food and care, and her modesty did not allow to attract the attention of busy Noah, in gratitude he asked the Lord for immortality for the bird. In Russian fairy tales, the Phoenix bird is well known by other names - Finist-Clear Falcon and Firebird.
Phoenix bird revival ritual
According to the legends, the Phoenix bird, sensing the approach of death, begins to build a nest. To do this, she carefully chooses thin twigs, leaves of rare and valuable trees, fragrant herbs. And after that, already in the nest, it begins to wait for its end, burning to the ground along with the nest, it gives new life to a small individual, similar to a worm. In the future, an adult grows out of it, exactly like a burned one. It is for this reason that there are never two Phoenix birds on earth at once.
Phoenix bird in Arabic mythology
The most famous is the Phoenix bird from Arab mythology. She has scaly scarlet and golden wings, she sang wondrous songs at the well every morning, so that Apollo himself stopped to listen to them. Her life was long, and she died on fire of sandalwood and myrrh, reborn again young. The first task of the revived Phoenix was to transport the ash of its predecessor to Heliopolis to the altar of the sun god.
Phoenix bird in Chinese mythology - Fenghuang
Fenghuang in Chinese mythology is a symbol of goodness, virtue, prosperity and power. Fenghuang combines masculine and feminine, yin and yang. According to legends, Fenghuang walked so gently that the grass remained unacceptable, and ate only dew. And she drew her strength from heaven, delivering it only to the empress. The image of the Phoenix bird was widely used and is used now in interior design, furniture, as well as in the manufacture of jewelry. At the same time, the public allowed only very respected people to wear clothes and jewelry with the image of the Phoenix bird.
Phoenix bird in the Egyptian Book of the Dead
Phoenix has perhaps the most tragic story in Egyptian mythology. Day after day, the bird fights against darkness, primarily within itself, resists its own ignorance and kills the love of ignorance. The path to perfection is painful and not easy, passing it over and over again, burning and resurrecting, Phoenix improves, becomes better. In these endless cycles, a secret meaning is hidden: life is a difficult task, and there is no end to the work that must and can be done, and only eternity can allow one to approach the ideal. This is an endless striving for truth, and fire also symbolizes the light in the hearts of people who strive to spend even a short earthly life in the knowledge of the truth.
Phoenix bird in Slavic mythology
Slavic myths are especially fabulous and interesting, and, of course, they were not without the Phoenix bird or the Firebird. It was the Firebird that became the subject of the hunt, the heroes of fairy tales were looking for it, and if they managed to get at least a feather, they returned victorious. The Firebird ate golden apples, which gave health, youth and immortality. Her singing healed the sick, and pearls fell from her beak. The light of the Firebird healed even the blind, and the difficult task was entrusted only to the youngest son, who in fairy tales was usually the kindest.
Phoenix as a mascot
It is believed that any image of the Phoenix bird has tremendous energy, and such an amulet brings wealth, prosperity and good luck to the house. But only if it is correctly placed, and the owner of the amulet knows how to properly handle it. Those who are well versed in the teachings of Feng Shui are sure that the energy of the Phoenix can be directed to the implementation of any good undertakings. Who will Phoenix help:
- creative personalities: writers, poets, artists;
- people who want to reach their potential;
- people who need to gain self-confidence and who work on themselves, getting rid of bad habits.
The mascot does not tolerate restrictions, the bird needs free space to spread its wings and protect you, your home and your loved ones with its light. Placing it in confined, confined and dark spaces is impossible to achieve the desired result. The southern part of the house is ideal, since according to the Feng Shui teachings it is a zone of fire.
Phoenix bird meaning:
- death and rebirth;
- infinity and cyclicality;
- purity and chastity;
- variability and change;
- meekness and moderation.
It is better to create a talisman with your own hands. It can be a panel, drawing or something else. The main thing is not to forget about the color - bright reds, purples and fiery shades are best suited for decoration. If you use real feathers, even if you dyed with your own hands, the effect will increase many times over.
Phoenix bird in modern cinema
The Phoenix bird was praised and described by poets of the Middle Ages, in the age of modernity it was also not ignored. Here are just a few of the films:
- Omen III: The Last Battle;
- Indiana Jones: The Search for the Lost Ark;
- "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow";
- "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix";
- "X-Men".
That is, there is not a single culture where the Phoenix bird does not appear in one form or another. Her image was actively used in heraldry and as emblems. All stories are similar and differ only in details, adapted according to the culture of the country or nation. And since the values of all peoples, regardless of religion, are the same - this is a benefactor, a striving for perfection even during life, then the character of a bird is the same everywhere. This confirms the theory of the need to have an unattainable immaculate ideal, devoid of worldly sins and vanity, but at the same time being attainable and quite tangible.
