The Phoenix: Myth and Origin

by Captain StarCastle

The symbol of the Phoenix, rising out of the flames is the perfect symbol to represent Pan Historia. The image of the magical bird surviving the flames, commemorates the site’s resurrection and her flight up from the ashes after the Crash of 2004. The myths and origins of the Phoenix are probably as varied as the cultures in which those ancient myths and origins are grounded. The famed bird has been depicted as a sacred creature of magical proportions throughout history. Many cultures have their own versions of the myths and legends surrounding the bird’s creations, but always the symbolism of the bird represents rebirth and survival, something that has reappeared to live again.

In ancient hieroglyphics the bird was known as the Benu (Bennu) bird or sacred Firebird (related to the verb “weben,” meaning “to rise brilliantly,” or “to shine”). The bird appeared on Egyptian and Roman coins.

We see the Phoenix glorified in all forms of art and sculpture, in literature, in Christianity as a symbol of resurrection, in music, such as Stravinsky’s 1910 Ballet “The Firebird.” The bird has been praised, admired, and honored by numerous cultures down through the centuries, worshiped by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, immortalized in Russian, Chinese and Jewish folklore, and as the symbol of resurgence, revival and recovery, it has been represented on coats of arms, flags and banners, both private and military.

16th century illuminated heraldic glass panel), depicting two Bennu birds or phoenix (early Christian symbol) and The Arms of Sir Robert Bell

In China the Phoenix is called Fenghuang, a sacred bird who reigns over all other birds second only to the dragon as the most respected legendary creature. (This bird may have no connection with the Phoenix associated with the western world but the recreation is similar.) Russian folklore depicts the bird as the Zhar-Ptitsa—Firebird. Jewish folklore believes the phoenix was the only animal not to leave the Garden of Eden with Adam when he was banished. Another myth, from East Africa, calling the bird, a flamingo, is this the bird nests on hot salt flats too hot for its eggs or young to survive, building a up a mound to hold the eggs, with the turbulence of the heat coming off the flats around the nest resembling the current of flames.

San Francisco, California immortalizes the Phoenix, making it the prominent symbol on the city’s flag and seal, commemorating the rise from the ashes of the 1906 earthquake. Atlanta, Georgia also has the Phoenix as the central figure on the city’s flag and seal, along with the word Resurgence meaning, renaissance, rebirth, revival, resurrection, recovery, rose up again, reappeared, symbolizing the aftermath and rebuild after General Sherman’s burning of the city in 1864 and the Great Atlanta fire of 1917. The city of Phoenix, Arizona, so named for the rebirth of an old Native American civilization that had existed in that area in the 14th century, the Phoenix on the city's flag and seal.

    

In 1603 Johann Bayer named a constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere, which looks like a large bird, the Phoenix Constellation.

Overall, most myths believe a fiery rebirth of the ancient, usually colorful and considerably large bird who after living for 500 years or more, sets itself ablaze in a nest created from twigs of cinnamon, frankincense and myrrh—on the hot salt flats of Egypt according to some legends, or high atop a palm tree if you consider some Greek myths—and from the ashes and flames it created, a young Phoenix is born that is destined to live as long, or longer than the old Phoenix. There is one legend that believes the new Phoenix embalms the ashes of the old in an egg made from myrrh to be deposited in the ancient Egyptian city of Heliopolis. (This city is related to the rising sun and the Egyptian sun-god, Ra)

No matter which origin of the bird, or which myth or legend you are inclined to believe or be fascinated by, the Phoenix has always been associated with images of rebirth and regeneration. It has long been the symbol for new life and immortality, creation and renewal, some believing the tears of a Phoenix have great healing powers and can heal wounds and make one invincible. So it is fitting that the Phoenix is the symbol for Pan Historia. For like the Phoenix, she was truly reborn, risen up from the ashes to begin again, taking the place of the old.

Interesting links associated with the PHOENIX:

Phoenix Constellation Chart

Phoenix Constellation

Phoenix Constellation Mythology
(One of the Southern Hemisphere constellations introduced by Johann Bayer in 1603)

Phoenix Rising: Mythical Creature/Mythical Realm Art

“The Firebird”
(1910 Ballet by Igor Stravinsky (based on a Russian folktale of a magical glowing bird)

Phoenix Lore: Astronomy

Phoenix: A September Constellation