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The Myth of the Phoenix
The phoenix, which is a mythical bird, appears in the mythology and folklore of many ancient civilizations: Egypt, Greece, Rome, Persia/Iran, Russia, Phoenicia/Lebanon, China, Japan, and probably a lot more.
Most of the stories share common characteristics. The phoenix is a beautiful bird, often with red and gold plumage (fire and sun colours). At death, it bursts into flame, burning quickly and fiercely until only ashes remain. From the ashes, a new, young phoenix emerges.
Traits such as immortality, invincibility, strength and healing power are also often attributed to the phoenix.
The ancient Egyptians called the phoenix ‘bennu' and usually depicted it as a heron, with two long feathers on its head and wearing the crown of Osiris, the god of life, death and fertility. It was one of the sacred symbols of worship in the city of Heliopolis, closely associated with the rising sun and the Egyptian sun-god Ra. It was also associated with the inundation of the Nile and the creation of the world.
The Greeks adapted the word ‘bennu' and identified it with their own word for phoenix, which meant the colour purple-red or crimson. The Greeks and the Romans pictured the bird more like a peacock or an eagle.
According to the Greeks, the phoenix lived in Phoenicia next to a well. At dawn, it bathed in the water of the well, and the Greek sun-god Apollo stopped his chariot (the sun) to listen to its song.
The phoenix myth has been enduring. Perhaps the most famous modern-day depiction is in the ‘Harry Potter' series, by British author J.K. Rowling. The phoenix Fawkes is the magical feathered companion of Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of the wizards' school Hogwarts.
Fawkes's attributes include red and gold plumage, incredible strength, tears with healing powers, and extensive though undefined magical powers (for example, Harry and Voldemort's wands have a Fawkes tail feather as their core).
In book two, ‘Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets', Harry's first meeting with Fawkes is on a ‘Burning Day'. Before Harry's eyes, as he waits for Dumbledore in the headmaster's office, Fawkes bursts into flame. A baby phoenix soon pokes its nose out of the ashes.
To find out more about the phoenix, go to the Phoenix (mythology) entry in Wikipedia.
