Animals are transcendental for humanity and, among many areas in which they are related to us, these living beings have been part of history and mythology through the centuries. One of the myths linked to the animal world is that of the phoenix, in which the aforementioned animal is related to fire and resurgence or rebirth. This myth has been present in various cultures with certain adjustments depending on the context, but it has undoubtedly been an important part of history, mythology, religion, art and even psychology.
We invite you to continue reading this article on our site so you can learn about the history and meaning of the phoenix, in addition to its relationship with some current species.
Meaning of the phoenix
The word phoenix comes from the Latin 'phoenix', and this in turn from the Greek 'phoînix'. According to the Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy [1], the term refers to “ a fabulous bird that the ancients believed that it was unique and was reborn from its ashes ”. Now, in Greek, phoenix means “Phoenician, palm, and purple or red in color” [2] And it is reported that it was the Phoenicians who invented the pigment of this color mentioned, which was present in the wings of this fabulous bird. Thus, given the above, we have a relationship between the name and the meaning of the phoenix.
But beyond the etymological meaning of the word phoenix, this term has been associated for centuries with a mythical bird, and its symbolic meaning has always been related with the resurrection and immortality, despite the different interpretations or variants regarding the myth that could occur in one culture or another. In this way, to think of the phoenix is to immediately have the referent of resurgence, because, as we will see later, the bird, who burns, is reborn from its own ashes.
Additionally, the symbology of the phoenix has also been associated with personal rebirth, so that some relationships have been established from the psychological point of view.
Origin of the myth of the phoenix
It has been referred that the origin of the myth of the phoenix is related to the ancient Egyptians, who represented a bird, sometimes a type of heron that was surrounded by two feathers like crests, called bennu and belonging to the species Ardea Bennuides, which is now extinct. In other cases, it was represented as an eagle with red and gold plumage.
In this way, it is now known that there are several relationships between the Egyptian symbology of the bennu and the classical of the phoenix. On the one hand, the resemblances are based on their link to both the sun and the Egyptian city of Heliopolis. In addition, in both cases there is a symbology of life after death and both birds are represented on a tree, the bennu on a willow and the phoenix on a palm.
However, it was the Greek writer Herodotuswho specifically related about the phoenix, since he visited the city of Heliopolis, the main religious center of Egypt. During his visit, the aforementioned historian must have listened and reviewed papyri, hieroglyphics and carved murals, which he interpreted to later build the myth that later spread to other cultures. Some approaches refer that Herodotus probably confused the image of the phoenix with that of the solar god Ra-Atum-Khepri, who was represented in one of its variants in an anthropomorphic way, with an ornithomorphic head (similar to a bird) and the colors that are attributed to the phoenix. This last reference is made because there are differences between the birds mentioned.
Story of the phoenix
The story of the phoenix is linked with death and rebirth The narrative states that the bird was unique and could not reproduce as the other animals did. When the phoenix neared its end, it began the collection of certain aromatic plants, incense and cardamom to build a nest Then, at least have occurredtwo different narrations from this point:
- One states that the bird sets fire to the nest and from the ashes a new bird rises, so rebirth occurs.
- Another states that the phoenix lies down in the nest to die, but impregnating it with its semen. From there a new bird is born, which will proceed to collect the body of its father and will enclose it in a trunk of myrrh, which will transport it to the city of Heliopolis to the altar of the sun, where the priests of this god who will proceed to cremate it.
This event is supposed to Occur every 500 years, although it was also related in ancient times that the phoenix could live 972 generations of humans.
So, the Greek belief about the phoenix existed, but, thanks to the stories of Herodotus, it was always established that this myth originated in Egypt. But the history of the phoenix transcended to other cultures, in which some adaptations were eventually made, so that the symbology of the phoenix was present in Rome, India, China and even in America.
Real phoenix-like animals
As we have mentioned, accounts associate the phoenix with two real animals, one with the type of extinct heron known as bennu and others with a eagle Certain resemblances to other birds have also been established, such as the male golden pheasant(Chrysolophus pictus), which is a beautiful bird that, although it has colors such as black, blue and brown, is mainly red and gold or yellow. In fact, the golden pheasant is considered one of the most beautiful birds in the world.
Did you know the origin of the phoenix and its history? Without a doubt, it is a fascinating animal with a wonderful symbology that can help us reflect on personal growth and the fact of moving forward in the face of life's adversities.
