The ancient legend of the phoenix describes a magical bird that dies after bursting into flames, but is reborn by rising from the ashes. The powerful symbol of resurrection has existed for hundreds of years in folklore, popular culture and across different religions.

In classical mythology, this unique bird lived for five centuries in the Arabian desert, after which it burned itself on a funeral pyre. It then rose from the ashes to live for another 500 years before going through the same cycle, which was repeated throughout time.


The bird

Descriptions of the phoenix liken it to a peacock or an eagle, in that it's a large, majestic bird, brightly coloured in shades of red, yellow and purple. These colours are associated with fire and the rising sun. Its blue eyes are said to sparkle like sapphires.

Its mighty wings actually light its own funeral pyre. After its life cycle has ended and it has built the funeral pyre, it ignites it with a loud clap of its wings - the same wings that carry it gloriously away across the sky after it rises from the ashes of the pyre.

Renewal and resurrection

The phoenix is a symbol of resurrection and renewal. Across religion and folklore, it has been linked with many themes, including time itself, the sun, the empire, metempsychosis - the migration of a human or animal's soul into another being at death - resurrection, consecration and life in Christ's heavenly paradise.

According to Greek, Arab and Egyptian mythology, when the new, young phoenix arises, it embalms its predecessor's ashes in an egg of myrrh. It then carries the egg to Heliopolis - known as the city of the sun - and leaves the egg on the sun god's altar.

Different cultures

The phoenix was said to have been named by the ancient Greeks, but it's also associated with the Bennu, which is an ancient Egyptian deity that resembles a bird and is linked with the sun. The solar bird's image adorns many ancient amulets, symbolising immortality and rebirth.

The phoenix has close ties with an ancient Greek Semitic civilisation called the Phoenicians, who lived between 1500BC and 300BC across the Eastern Mediterranean. It is also linked to the Native American Thunderbird, the Chinese Fèng Huáng, the Russian Firebird and the Japanese Ho-o.

It is said to have reigned over all other birds and is a symbol of feminine grace and the empress in ancient China. If a phoenix was sighted, it was said to be a sign that a wise leader had ascended on to the throne, signalling the beginning of a new era.

Representing the Chinese virtues of duty, goodness, propriety, reliability and kindness, palaces and temples were guarded by many protective beasts, which were led by the phoenix.

Religions

The legend of the phoenix is incorporated into many religions, as it signifies eternal life, creation and a fresh beginning. It was a symbol of early Christianity, relating to Christ's death on the cross and his resurrection three days later. The phoenix was an image used on early Christian gravestones.

It also represents the cosmic fire that some people believe created the world - they also consider that one day, the fire will once again consume the world.

Phoenix Hydraulics

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