I found it interesting how so much of our mythology over the centuries have come from this region of the globe, which is the middle east and surrounding areas. The fact that this bird has been described by so many different cultures and societies and revered for its supernal nature and birth, life and death, makes it possible that it once existed in some form or another.
At first I thought they were describing a peacock based on the colors listed as feathers.... but have since realized it was the fire, sun, brilliance that made it something more than that. Anyway, its in line with our commitment to providing educational information, so there you have it, enjoy and pass on if you feel so inclined.
PHOENIX
http://thebibleofmysteries.blogspot.com/2010/10/phoenix.html
"By Niscor", Bible of Mysteries,
The
phoenix (Ancient Greek: Φοῖνιξ, phoínix, Persian: ققنوس, Arabic:
العنقاء) is a mythical sacred firebird that can be found in the
mythologies of the Persians, Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, and
(according to Sanchuniathon) Phoenicians.
A phoenix is a mythical bird that is a fire spirit with a colorful plumage and a tail of gold and scarlet (or purple, blue, and green according to some legends). It has a 500 to 1000 year life-cycle, near the end of which it builds itself a nest of twigs that then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix or phoenix egg arises, reborn anew to live again.
The new phoenix is
destined to live as long as its old self. In some stories, the new
phoenix embalms the ashes of its old self in an egg made of myrrh and
deposits it in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis (literally "sun-city" in
Greek).
It is said that the bird's cry is that of a beautiful song. The
Phoenix's ability to be reborn from its own ashes imply that it is
immortal, though in some stories the new Phoenix is merely the offspring
of the older one. In very few stories they are able to change into
people.
The phoenix originated in ancient mythology and
has gone through a variety of representations in art/literature, ranging
from being fully birdlike to having the head of a dog and suckling its
young. Typically, it is considered benevolent, but some tales suggest
that humans are not always safe around it. Further, many tales share
elements with those of the phoenix.
The phoenix on top of Kinkaku-ji temple, Kyoto, Japan Flavius Philostratus (c. AD 170), who wrote the biography Life of Apollonius of Tyana, refers to the phoenix as a bird living in India, but sometimes migrating to Egypt every five hundred years.
The phoenix on top of Kinkaku-ji temple, Kyoto, Japan Flavius Philostratus (c. AD 170), who wrote the biography Life of Apollonius of Tyana, refers to the phoenix as a bird living in India, but sometimes migrating to Egypt every five hundred years.
His account is clearly inspired by
Garuda, the bird of the Hindu god Vishnu. He considered the bird as an
emanation of sunlight, being in appearance and size much like an eagle.
His contemporary Lactantius is probably the author who wrote the longest
poem on the famous bird.
Although descriptions (and life-span) vary,
the Egyptian phoenix (Bennu bird) became popular in early Catholic art,
literature and Catholic symbolism, as a symbol of Christ representing
his resurrection, immortality, and life-after-death.
Let us consider that wonderful sign which takes place in Eastern lands, that is, in Arabia and the countries round about. There is a certain bird which is called a phoenix. This is the only one of its kind, and lives five hundred years.
And when the time of its dissolution draws near that
it must die, it builds itself a nest of frankincense, and myrrh, and
other spices, into which, when the time is fulfilled, it enters and
dies. But as the flesh decays a certain kind of worm is produced, which,
being nourished by the juices of the dead bird, brings forth feathers.
Then, when it has acquired strength, it takes up that nest in which are
the bones of its parent, and bearing these it passes from the land of
Arabia into Egypt, to the city called Heliopolis.
And, in open day,
flying in the sight of all men, it places them on the altar of the sun,
and having done this, hastens back to its former abode. The priests then
inspect the registers of the dates, and find that it has returned
exactly as the five hundredth year was completed.
The Belief Of The Phoenix In The World
In
Persian mythology, Simurgh, (Persian: سيمرغ, Middle Persian: senmurv)
was a winged, bird-like creature that was very large and extremely
ancient with a long tail. The Simurgh appears in many Iranian literary
classics such as Farid ud-Din Attar's Conference of the Birds as
instructor and birds leader, and in Ferdowsi's epic Shahnameh (The Book
of Kings); Simurgh raised up and cherished Zaal or Zal, father of
Rostam.
Lebanon, and Beirut particularly, is often depicted symbolically as a phoenix bird having been destroyed and rebuilt 7 times during its long history. The Fenghuang (Chinese Phoenix) at the Summer Palace, Beijing, China.
In
China, the Fenghuang (鳳凰) is a mythical bird superficially similar to
the phoenix. It is the second most-respected legendary creature (second
to the dragon), largely used to represent the empress and females, and
as such as the counterpart to the Chinese dragon, traditionally seen as
masculine or imperial. The phoenix is considered the greatest and the
leader of birds.
In Japan, the phoenix is called hō-ō (kanji: 鳳凰) or fushichō (不死鳥?), literally "Immortal Bird".
In
Russian folklore, the phoenix appears as the Zhar-Ptitsa (Жар-Птица),
or firebird, subject of the famous 1910 ballet score by Igor Stravinsky.
The
phoenix was featured in the flags of Alexander Ypsilantis and of many
other captains during the Greek Revolution, symbolizing Greece's
rebirth, and was chosen by John Capodistria (1828–1832).
In addition,
the first modern Greek currency bore the name of phoenix. Despite being
replaced by a royal Coat of Arms, it remained a popular symbol, and was
used again in the 1930s by the Second Hellenic Republic.
However, its
use by the military junta of 1967-1974 made it extremely unpopular, and
it has almost disappeared from use after 1974, with the notable
exception of the Greek Order of the Phoenix.
In ancient
Arabic tradition the Ghoghnus or Ghoghnous is a bird having some
mythical relation with the date palm. The Ghoghnus is said to have laid
only one egg. It lived in the Arabian Desert many thousands of years
ago.
Zumrud-u Anka (Zümrüdüanka), Tuğrul or Devekuşu,
is a Turkish version of the phoenix. The word Anka comes from the word
for "necklace", for the bird's neck is covered with white feathers
forming like a necklace.
A Poem About The Phoenix
The Roman poet Ovid wrote the following about the phoenix:
"Most beings spring from other individuals; but there is a certain kind which reproduces itself. The Assyrians call it the Phoenix. It does not live on fruit or flowers, but on frankincense and odoriferous gums. When it has lived five hundred years, it builds itself a nest in the branches of an oak, or on the top of a palm tree.
In this it collects cinnamon, and
spikenard, and myrrh, and of these materials builds a pile on which it
deposits itself, and dying, breathes out its last breath amidst odors.
From the body of the parent bird, a young Phoenix issues forth, destined
to live as long a life as its predecessor.
When this has grown up and
gained sufficient strength, it lifts its nest from the tree (its own
cradle and its parent's sepulchre), and carries it to the city of
Heliopolis in Egypt, and deposits it in the temple of the Sun."
"By Niscor"
The article is reproduced in accordance with Section 107 of title 17 of the Copyright Law of the United States relating to fair-use and is for the purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
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