Tag: #phoenix

PHOENIX : Greek Mythology

A phoenix is a mythological bird that cyclically regenerates or is otherwise born again. Associated with fire and the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor. Some legends say it dies in a show of flames and combustion, others that it simply dies and decomposes before being born again. Most accounts say that it lived for 500 years before rebirth. Herodotus, Lucan, Pliny the Elder, Pope Clement I, Lactantius, Ovid, and Isidore of Seville are among those who have contributed to the retelling and transmission of the phoenix motif. The phoenix symbolized renewal in general, as well as entities and concepts such as the Sun, time, the Roman Empire, Christ, Mary, and virginity.

The phoenix is best known as a being of Greek mythology, but has analogues in other traditions: including the Hindu garuda and bherunda, the Russian firebird, the Persian simorgh, the Georgian paskunji, the Arabian anqa , the Turkic Konrul, also called Zümrüdü Anka, the Tibetan Me byi karmo, the Chinese Fenghuang and zhu que, and the Japanese hō-ō .

The phoenix myth is also part of early Christian traditions. Some scholars have speculated that these early phoenix legends may have their origins in the bennu of Egyptian mythology. In the 19th century, scholastic suspicions appeared to be confirmed by the discovery that Egyptians in Heliopolis had venerated the bennu. However, the Egyptian sources regarding the bennu are often problematic and open to a variety of interpretations. Some of these sources may have actually been influenced by Greek notions of the phoenix, rather than the other way around.

Classical discourse on the subject of the phoenix points to a potential origin of the phoenix in Ancient Egypt. Herodotus, writing in the 5th century BC, gives a somewhat skeptical account of the phoenix.

To Appear:

The phoenix is sometimes pictured in ancient and medieval literature and medieval art as endowed with a halo, which emphasizes the bird’s connection with the Sun. In the oldest images of phoenixes on record these nimbuses often have seven rays, like Helios (the Greek personification of the Sun). Pliny the Elder also describes the bird as having a crest of feathers on its head, and Ezekiel the Dramatist compared it to a rooster.

Although the phoenix was generally believed to be colorful and vibrant, sources provide no clear consensus about its coloration. Tacitus says that its color made it stand out from all other birds. Some said that the bird had peacock-like coloring, and Herodotus’s claim of the Phoenix being red and yellow is popular in many versions of the story on record. Ezekiel the Dramatist declared that the phoenix had red legs and striking yellow eyes, but Lactantius said that its eyes were blue like sapphires and that its legs were covered in yellow-gold scales with rose-colored talons.

Herodotus, Pliny, Solinus, and Philostratus describe the phoenix as similar in size to an eagle, but Lactantius and Ezekiel the Dramatist both claim that the phoenix was larger, with Lactantius declaring that it was even larger than an ostrich.

Phoenix- The Mythological Glory

https://in.pinterest.com/

 A magnificent bird from ancient Egyptian, Arab & Greek mythology, that is believed to live for roughly 500 years or more. The tale dates back to 2500 years ago & its story began from ancient Egypt & Arabia. The myth goes as, when the old bird is tired, is flies back from Arabia to Egypt, The city of Sun.

The fabled bird builds a nest on the peak of The Temple of Sun by gathering some cinnamon twigs & resins. This is followed by the sun igniting the nest, causing the old Phoenix to die in the flames. A new young phoenix arises from the ashes of the burn & preserves the ashes of the predecessor in the egg of Myrrh. Later it deposits the egg on the altar of the Sun God & heads back to Arabia, to begin with, a new life cycle. Thus no ancient authority gave it any boundation of any life span. It is believed that at a certain time phase, there’s only one Phoenix in existence. 

   The legendary phoenix is a large & grand bird that is mostly believed to resemble an eagle. It is brilliantly coloured in shining reds, purples, and golden plumes as it is associated with the rising sun and fire. This mythical bird is a symbolism of renewal & resurrection. The concept represents a bunch of themes like the sun, time, the empire, life in the heavenly paradise, Christ, Mary, virginity, and the exceptional man. 

   Its namesake, Phoenix, Arizona, reminds modern Americans that the city stands on the same site as a vanished Native American civilization.

  Some historic studies revealed that the Romans possessed quite an affection for the Phoenix. Their coins showed the Emperor’s face on one side while the Phoenix on the other. It is believed that the Phoenix itself represented Rome. As the bird stays eternal, so does the empire of Rome, with each new emperor. 

  Similarly in Islamic mythology, the phoenix was identified with the ʿanqāʾ, a huge mysterious bird, probably a heron that was created by God with all perfections but thereafter became a plague and was killed. The Egyptian Bennu, the Native American Thunderbird, the Russian Firebird, the Chinese Fèng Huáng & the Japanese Hō-ō are all believed to be associated with this mythical Greek bird. 

  In Egypt, Bennu symbolizes immortality & rebirth & was believed to be associated with the period of flooding of the Nile, bringing new wealth and fertility. While in Asia sighting of the phoenix was considered as a good sign that a wise leader has ascended to the throne and a new era has begun. It was representative of Chinese virtues: goodness, duty, propriety, kindness, and reliability. The palaces and temples are guarded by ceramic beasts that are believed to be all led by the phoenix.