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PeterDuffy (talk | contribs) (Created page with "The '''phoenix''' is a mythical bird that figures in the legends of East and West. It is an ancient symbol of rebirth, rejuvenation and immortality. One of the earliest acc...") |
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[[File:Phoenix-Fabelwesen.jpg|thumb|Image of a phoenix from Friedrich Justin Bertuch, ''Bilderbuch für Kinder'', 1790–1830 (Eigenbesitz), Fabelwesen.]] | |||
The '''phoenix''' is a mythical bird that figures in the legends of East and West. It is an ancient symbol of rebirth, rejuvenation and immortality. | The '''phoenix''' is a mythical bird that figures in the legends of East and West. It is an ancient symbol of rebirth, rejuvenation and immortality. | ||
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== Legends == | == Legends == | ||
The first trace of the phoenix legend appears in about 430 <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>. in Herodotus’ account of Egypt, where he was shown pictures of the bird. In ancient Egypt the phoenix was called a '' | The first trace of the phoenix legend appears in about 430 <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>. in Herodotus’ account of Egypt, where he was shown pictures of the bird. In ancient Egypt the phoenix was called a ''bennu''. The bennu was the hieroglyph for the rising sun. The words ''bennu'' and phoenix are said to mean variously “palm tree,” purple-red or crimson. | ||
There are several variations of the phoenix legend. The first-century Church Father Clement of Rome once wrote an account of the phoenix, calling it “that wonderful sign which takes place in eastern lands, that is, in Arabia and the countries round about.” This is the legend as he related it: | There are several variations of the phoenix legend. The first-century Church Father Clement of Rome once wrote an account of the phoenix, calling it “that wonderful sign which takes place in eastern lands, that is, in Arabia and the countries round about.” This is the legend as he related it: | ||
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Other variations of the story say the bird ignites the fire by fanning its wings. | Other variations of the story say the bird ignites the fire by fanning its wings. | ||
[[File:Fenix bennu.jpg|thumb|Egyptian painting of a bennu (phoenix)]] | |||
== Esoteric significance in Egypt == | == Esoteric significance in Egypt == | ||
According to Professor R. T. Rundle Clark, the real significance of the phoenix (or '' | According to Professor R. T. Rundle Clark, the real significance of the phoenix (or ''bennu'') has been reduced to a fairy tale by those who were unfamiliar with the inner meaning of Egyptian religion. In reality, the phoenix was the principle of life, the symbol of divine power in manifestation. It was the initiator of a new age and the determiner of destiny. | ||
Clark says that one Egyptian text epitomizes “the appearance of light and life out of the original darkness and chaos as: ‘that breath of life which emerged from the throat of the Benu Bird,’” or phoenix. | Clark says that one Egyptian text epitomizes “the appearance of light and life out of the original darkness and chaos as: ‘that breath of life which emerged from the throat of the Benu Bird,’” or phoenix. | ||
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<blockquote>The Phoenix came from the far-away world of eternal life, bringing the message of light and life to a world wrapped in the helplessness of the primeval night. Its flight is the width of the world: “over oceans, seas and rivers,” to land, at last, in Heliopolis—the symbolic center of the earth, where it will announce the new age.<ref>R. T. Rundle Clark, ''Myth and Symbol in Ancient Egypt'' (Grove Press, 1960), p. 247.</ref></blockquote> | <blockquote>The Phoenix came from the far-away world of eternal life, bringing the message of light and life to a world wrapped in the helplessness of the primeval night. Its flight is the width of the world: “over oceans, seas and rivers,” to land, at last, in Heliopolis—the symbolic center of the earth, where it will announce the new age.<ref>R. T. Rundle Clark, ''Myth and Symbol in Ancient Egypt'' (Grove Press, 1960), p. 247.</ref></blockquote> | ||
[[File:Nanjing Museum - Embroidery - Phoenix.jpg|thumb|Embroidery showing a phoenix, Nanjing Museum]] | |||
== Other traditions == | == Other traditions == | ||