Phoenix

a self-renewing bird of fire

The phoenix is a magnificent, often red-and-gold bird of great beauty and long life.

💡 Did you know? Its feathers were said to glow like fire in the sunlight.

death and rebirth

At the end of its life the phoenix burns and rises anew from its own ashes.

💡 Did you know? „Like a phoenix from the ashes“ is still a common saying for a new beginning.

from ancient Egypt

The Egyptian bird Bennu, linked to the sun and rebirth, is regarded as the origin of the phoenix.

💡 Did you know? The Greeks and Romans took over the myth and spread it further.

often 500 years

Legend says only a single phoenix ever lives at a time, usually for about 500 years.

💡 Did you know? Then it burns and begins the cycle anew: so it is effectively immortal.

hope and new beginnings

The phoenix is a timeless symbol of hope, resilience and starting over.

💡 Did you know? In „Harry Potter,“ Dumbledore's phoenix Fawkes is a well-known modern example.

with the sun

The phoenix was seen as a bird of the sun, rising and passing with it.

💡 Did you know? The Egyptian Bennu bird, its origin, was closely linked to the sun god Ra.

Herodotus

He heard the tale from priests at Heliopolis.

💡 Did you know? He did not quite believe it himself.

from its ashes

It burns itself and rises from what remains.

💡 Did you know? “Like a phoenix from the ashes”: proverbial to this day.

from myrrh and spices

Cinnamon and frankincense, say the ancient sources.

💡 Did you know? All precious goods of ancient world trade.

to Heliopolis

To the altar of the sun temple in Egypt.

💡 Did you know? Heliopolis literally means “city of the sun”.

for the resurrection

Clement of Rome already used it as a parable.

💡 Did you know? The bird adorns early Christian catacombs.

Fawkes

Named after the conspirator Guy Fawkes.

💡 Did you know? Healing phoenix tears are an old legendary trait.