Phoenix is ​​an amazing bird that exists in the myths of different peoples, separated from each other by space and time: Egypt and China, Japan, Phenicia, Greece and Russia. Everywhere this bird is associated with the sun. Chinese feng shui master Lam Kam Chuen wrote: “This is a mythical bird that never dies. Phoenix flies far ahead and always examines the entire landscape that opens in the distance. This represents our ability to see and collect visual information about the environment and the events unfolding within it. The great beauty of Phoenix creates powerful excitement and immortal inspiration. "

Where did Phoenix appear

Ancient man always thought about death and what would happen after it. The Egyptians built monumental stone pyramids for the mummies that were to go into eternity. Therefore, it is quite natural that along the whole of Upper and Lower Egypt there were legends about the Bennu bird (as the Egyptians called the phoenix), which, after dying, is reborn again. Phoenix is ​​a bird full of secrets.

In Egypt, Bennu was represented in the form of a great heron, which lived about five thousand years ago in the Persian Gulf region and was a rare guest of the Egyptians. On his head, they depicted two long feathers or a solar disk. The sacred bird of Heliopolis with beautiful red and gold plumage was represented as the soul of the sun god Ra. In addition, the cry of the Bennu bird marked the beginning of time. That is, Phoenix is ​​time and fire that cannot be contained.

Classic Arabic Phoenix

The most famous was the Arabic Phoenix, known to us from Greek sources. This one was about the size of an eagle. She had brilliant scarlet and gold plumage and a melodic voice.

Sitting at dawn every morning at the well, she sang a song so charming that even the great Apollo stopped to listen.

Phoenix's life was very long. According to some sources, he lived for five hundred, according to others - a thousand, or even almost thirteen thousand years. When his life was drawing to a close, he would build himself a nest from the branches of fragrant myrrh and fragrant sandalwood, set it on fire and burn it. Three days later, this bird, rising from the ashes, was reborn young. According to other legends, she appeared directly from the flame.

The young phoenix embalmed the ashes of its predecessor into an egg and carried it to Heliopolis on the altar of the sun god.

Phoenix is ​​a victory over death and a cyclical rebirth.

Chinese Phoenix (Fenghuang)

The Phoenix is ​​a symbol of high virtue and grace, power and prosperity. It represents the union of yin and yang. It was believed that this gentle creature, descending so gently that it did not press anything, but ate only dewdrops.

Phoenix represented the power sent from heaven only to the empress.

If the Phoenix (image) was used to decorate a home, it symbolized that loyalty and honesty were in the people who lived there. Jewelry with the image of this bird showed that the owner was a person of high moral values, and therefore only a very important person could wear them.

It is believed that the Chinese Phoenix had a rooster's beak, a swallow's face, a snake's neck, a goose's chest, and a fish's tail. Its feathers were of five primary colors: black, white, red, green, and yellow and were said to represent Confucian virtues: loyalty, honesty, decency, and justice.

The traditional legend of the Phoenix bird

Only one Phoenix could live in our world at a time. His true home was Paradise, a land of unimaginable beauty, lying beyond the distant horizon to the rising sun.

It's time to die. To do this, the fiery Phoenix bird had to fly into the mortal world, flying west through the jungles of Burma and the hot plains of India, to reach the fragrant aromatic groves of Arabia. Here she collected a bunch of aromatic herbs before heading to the coast of Phenicia in Syria. In the uppermost branches of a palm tree, Phoenix built a nest of herbs and awaited the arrival of a new dawn, which would herald his death.

When the sun soared over the horizon, Phoenix turned his face to the east, opened the clock and sang such a mesmerizing song that even the sun god himself for a moment recovered in his chariot. After listening to the sweet sounds, he set the horses in motion, and a spark from their hooves descended into the Phoenix's nest and made it flare up. Thus, the thousand-year life of the Phoenix ended in fire. But in the ashes of the funeral pyre, a tiny worm stirred.

Three days later, the creature grew into a completely new bird Phoenix, which then spread its wings and flew east to the gates of Paradise with its retinue of birds. The Phoenix bird, rising from the ashes, represents the sun itself, which dies at the end of each day, but is reborn at the next dawn. Christianity took the legend of the bird, and the authors of the bestiaries equated it with Christ, who was executed but resurrected.

From the Egyptian Book of the Dead

What is the meaning of the Phoenix bird in mythology? Generation after generation Phoenix creates itself. It is never easy. He waited for long nights, lost in himself, gazing at the stars. The bird fights against the darkness, against its own ignorance, against the resistance to change, with its sentimental love for its own stupidity.

Perfection is a difficult task. Phoenix loses and finds its way again. One of the tasks performed gives rise to others. There is no end to the work to be done. This is a harsh eternity. There is no end to becoming. The fiery bird lives forever, striving for perfection. She praises the moment when she dies in fire, when the veils of illusion burn with her. Phoenix sees how much we strive for the Truth. She is the fire that burns in people who know the truth.

Phoenix's role in various ancient judgments

According to Greek views, Phoenix is ​​a symbol of a renewed life.

The Romans believed that this bird shows that the Roman Empire is of divine origin and should exist forever.

For Christians, Phoenix means eternal life, symbolizing Christ.

The alchemists viewed Phoenix as the completion of the Philosopher's Stone. But they never got to that.

The mention of the Phoenix bird has come down to us along with the ancient Egyptian legends. Now this mythical creature has become a symbol of rebirth, a manifestation of the triumph of life over death. Reminiscent of fire by its red-orange plumage, it expresses the purifying power of the fire element. For those in need, this image will always be the personification of hope. What does the Phoenix bird symbolize today?

Appearance of the image

The progenitor of the image of the Phoenix bird is believed to be the Benu bird, which was an integral part of the sacred rites of the ancient Egyptians associated with fire. At a later time, the ancient Greeks borrowed it to create their legends. There are two versions of the origin of the mythical symbol. According to one of them, an unusual bird dies by its own death, and later a chick appears from the seed of the Phoenix, which is a continuation of the genus.

According to the legend of the origin of the times of Christianity, this creature burns up on a fragrant fire and is reborn after three days from the resulting ash. The appearance of the Phoenix bird has also been described in different ways.... In ancient images, she appeared in the form of an eagle, heron and other species. Only the fiery color of the plumage was common. In all mythological treatises, the outlandish bird was endowed with the following properties:

Initially, the image was associated with a cyclical change of sunrise and sunset. But after a while they began to perceive the Phoenix bird in a different way - the meaning shifted towards rebirth after death and the superiority of the human spirit over perishable material values.

Legends of Herodotus and Ovid

Over time, legends about the mythological creature spread throughout the world. But in each state, the magic bird had its own name. The Chinese doctrine of feng shui first mentions its appearance on the eve of the death of the Yellow Emperor. The Chinese called Phoenix in their own way - Feng Huang. In the legends of Persia, the fiery bird was called Simurg. For the inhabitants of Central America, Quetzal has become such a symbol of longevity.

Living in ancient times, Herodotus, who is considered the father of history, described sacred animals and birds in his writings. He also mentions Phoenix from the words of Hecateus of Miletus. Herodotus had a chance to see the image of a bird in the sacred temple of Heliopolis. He describes her as a feathered creature, similar in appearance and size to an eagle, with plumage partly gold and partly red.

According to the stories of the Egyptians, he flies to them once every 500 years, replacing his deceased father. The townspeople of Helios claim that with them wonder bird brings the body of a dead parent embalmed with incense for burial in a Greek temple. To get the body to its place, Phoenix encases it in an artificial egg, which then carries it in its paws to Helios.

The ancient Roman poet Ovid claims that Phoenix's death occurs after he accidentally inhaled the aromas of cinnamon and cinnamon. And the nestling, reborn from his seed, continues the dynasty, having first burnt the ashes of his father. Researchers consider his story to be more complete and intelligible than that of Herodotus.

Chinese Feng Huang

What does Feng Huang mean to the Chinese? The ancient inhabitants of China believed that it appears on the eve of some important events. They described this creature as similar to a swan, when viewed from the front, and from the back it resembled a unicorn. The tail looked like a fish, the back was like a turtle, the whole body was covered with outlandish patterns. Feng Shui Feng Huang Bird symbolizes warmth and light... The Chinese consider it to be a fire, which, together with a dragon, helps childless couples to acquire offspring. According to their mythology, Phoenix is ​​the dragon's wife.

The meaning of the Feng Huang bird for the Chinese:

  1. The path to your happiness;
  2. Victory in business;
  3. Wisdom that leads to prosperity.

When making the Phoenix talisman, it is made red or orange. They use such symbolism to attract good luck and fulfill desires. The talisman is located in the southern sector of the dwelling. There should be no other sacred objects nearby. Feng Huang needs freedom to reach his full potential. The statuette endowed with magical powers can protect your home and family from various dangers.

It gives you the opportunity to be the first to know any news, which is very important when doing business. You will always be one step ahead of the competition. Feng Huang will help develop intuition, will endow its owner with prudence and sober calculation. For magical purposes, you can use not only a figurine, but also an image of a miraculous bird. Just do not forget that the plumage must necessarily be fiery. You can put candles nearby - this will enhance the effect of the talisman. You can place a bowl of grain next to it.

To attract good luck to the house, it is advisable to install the Phoenix bird as close to the front door as possible. If you cannot get a Fen Juan figurine, replace it with figurines of a rooster or flamingo - they have a similar energy, but somewhat weaker. In order for your business to begin to bring success, it is advisable to place a picture of the Phoenix in the office. Never put this mascot in the bedroom- with its strong energy, it will interfere with your rest.

Phoenix people

Humanity has always admired the manifestation in individuals of incredible will, courage, the ability to win, including itself. Not everyone can, having reached the extreme point of destruction, re-restore their inner world, find harmony and strength. Those who succeed are called phoenix people.

Having risen from the ashes, they keep the memory of past mistakes and defeats, which gives them invaluable experience. American writer Chuck Palahniuk describes just such a situation in his book Fight Club. It conveys the idea that before climbing to heights, a person must visit the very bottom.

This just echoes the image of the reborn Phoenix bird. It is incredibly difficult for such people to live among others. Their open soul, incredible gullibility and heightened emotionality will play a cruel joke with them more than once, forcing them to "burn" in an internal fire. The main thing is to find the strength to rise from the ashes every time. One day they may simply not be there.

Science fiction writer Vladimir Ilyin created a book of the same name about people who mysteriously resurrected after their death. The idea of ​​rebirth has always excited the minds of people and will continue to do so. In society, there will always be those who are cramped within the framework of everyday life, who are able to repeatedly “die” and be reborn, becoming stronger each time. They are the phoenix people.

Attention, only TODAY!

The legendary Phoenix bird is known all over the world. It is mentioned in European legends, in the East it is the embodiment of the feminine principle, and in Russia it is called the Firebird.

The oldest surviving mention of the Phoenix dates back to the 5th century BC. The Greek historian Herodotus retells, in his opinion, an incredible myth about the Arabian bird, which for the first 500 years of its life is not separated from its parent. When the older bird dies, the chick brings her body to the Egyptian city of Heliopolis to bury the body in the local temple of the Sun.

In the chronicles of Tacitus, an ancient Roman historian who lived in the 1st century BC, Phoenix is ​​also mentioned - supposedly he was not so long ago seen in Egypt. According to Tacitus, Phoenix lives for only 500 years, and then, having given birth to a chick, dies.

This myth is also mentioned in the works of other ancient authors, but such a detail as death in fire appears only in the most recent ones. Most likely, it was thanks to the treatises of ancient historians and philosophers that the legend of the Phoenix spread in medieval Europe.

Europe: from alchemists to kings

In Europe, the Phoenix is ​​represented as an eagle-like bird. She has bright red plumage, sometimes with a golden tint.

Phoenix feathers are made of fire, so one day it burns in its own flame, but then reborn again. One of the versions claims that he rises from his own ashes, the other - that from the egg laid before his death.

The early Christians often depicted the Phoenix on gravestones, as he was one of the symbols of Jesus Christ. There is a legend connecting it with the Flood. All the animals that Noah took into the ark demanded food when they were hungry. Only Phoenix, out of respect for his work, modestly sat in his corner and did not ask for anything, for which he was rewarded - in gratitude for his humility, Noah wished him eternal life.

The Jewish Kabbalah offers its own version of the legend. According to him, Eve fed not only Adam, but all the animals in the Garden of Eden with an apple from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Only Phoenix refused the treat and remained immortal as a reward for piety.

Western Europeans associate Phoenix with eternal renewal and eternal life, which is why it has been repeatedly used in heraldry. In particular, it became the personal emblem of two English queens - the sisters of Mary the Bloody and Elizabeth I.

For medieval alchemists, Phoenix stood for "red doing", one of the last steps in the creation of the philosopher's stone - their greatest goal of achieving immortality. Also, in their understanding, the fiery bird was the highest form of Mercury (as they called mercury).

China: a harbinger of great deeds and a symbol of emperors

In China, Phoenix occupies a special place. There he is known as Feng Huang or Yuan-chu, a symbol of the yin particle that is part of yin-yang - the unity of opposites. It is also the patron saint of the south, one of the four mythical patron beasts and an important element of the teachings of Feng Shui.

The Eastern view of Phoenix is ​​different from the Western one. Here it is a huge creature, 3 meters in height, similar to several animals at once. It is "assembled" from the beak of a rooster, swallow struma, snake neck and fish tail, and its body is decorated with "patterns like a dragon." It looks like a swan in front, a unicorn behind, and its back is like a turtle.

Another source says that the head of Feng Huang was taken from a rooster and symbolizes the Sun, and the back, inherited from the swallow, is a symbol of the waxing moon. The wings became a symbol of the wind, the tail - of flowers and trees, and the five colors of its plumage correspond to the five virtues. It is also mentioned that "his color is pleasing to the eye, his comb expresses righteousness, his tongue is sincere, his voice plays melody, his ear enjoys music, his heart obeys the rules, treasures of literature are in his chest, his spurs are powerful against lawbreakers."

An interesting fact: only in Chinese legends there is a female Phoenix. She is called Luan Niao, and outwardly she resembles a rooster. Their relationship with Feng Huang is considered a model of family life and loyalty. The banners and chariots of the emperors were decorated with her image, and her appearance was possible only in times of peace.

The Feng Huang phenomenon is not an ordinary event. This is evidence of the greatness and wisdom of the reigning emperor or a harbinger of a significant event, which can be sad, for example, the death of a ruler. So, the last time, according to beliefs, Feng Huang was seen in the XIV century AD. Then he visited the grave of Emperor Zhu Yuangzhang.

East: Protector or Enemy?

The Egyptian Phoenix was called Bennu. This is a solar bird that the ancient Egyptians associated with Ra, the sun god. It was he who became the prototype of the wonderful creation described by Herodotus. It should be noted that the connection of the myth with solar cults was noticed not only in Egypt.

In Iran, there is a legend about Simurg, a divine bird whose head and paws are similar to those of a lion. He is considered the protector of people and the guardian of the gates leading to the afterlife. According to one version, Simurg lives for 700 years and throws himself into the fire after raising his son.

There is also a legend about Phoenix in the Muslim tradition. Unlike the rest, Anka - as the Muslims call him - is the enemy of the human race. It was created by Allah for punishment, and only prayers and repentance can save the villages, which are attacked by a monstrous bird. According to this legend, Anka still exists, although it rarely catches the eye of people. Outwardly, Anka looks more like Feng Huang than the European Phoenix.

Russia: apples and pearls

Russian legends also tell of a magical creature similar to the Phoenix. This is the Firebird. Many folk tales tell how heroes and princes go in search of her.

To get the Firebird, you need to overcome many obstacles, and at the end, lure the bird into a golden cage with rejuvenating apples - its favorite delicacy. Having eaten such an apple, a person can regain youth, gain beauty, or even become immortal.

In the images, the Firebird often resembles a peacock. It is not a very large bird with a long tail, shining eyes, fiery wings and feathers that shimmer with gold and silver. She lives in Iria, the Garden of Eden, where a golden cage has been built for her. At night, the bird leaves the cage to fly around the garden, and then its feathers illuminate the garden. The feather of the Firebird shines brighter than any lamp, and over time turns into gold. The one who finds such a feather will be lucky.

They are looking for the Firebird, not only for the sake of wonderful feathers, but also for the sake of a magic voice. Her singing has healing powers, it heals the terminally ill and gives sight to the blind. And while she sings, pearls are falling from her beak.

Like its mythical cousins ​​from other countries, the Russian Firebird dies in the fire and is reborn from the ashes. But this happens not once every 500 or 1000 years, but every year, and she lives only from spring to autumn. Researchers attribute this to the fact that it symbolizes the sun and light, as well as the changing seasons.

The modern world: fairy tale or reality?

The legend of the Phoenix still excites the imagination of many people. This image embodies the old people's dream of a world in which there is no death. This is probably why references to him can often be found in books and films.

Encyclopedic Dictionary of winged words and expressions. - M .: "Lokid-Press"... Vadim Serov. 2003.


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The Phoenix bird is known for many fairy tales, epics, legends. Did it really exist or is it just an allegorical image that has nothing to do with ornithology?
Bird from myth

Phoenix is ​​present in many cultures of peoples who, it would seem, share not only times, but also distances. This bird is always presented in red or gold plumage, it is not for nothing that the translation of the word phoenix means purple.

According to legend, the mythical bird does not eat any living creatures, like the rest of it gather. She only drinks dew. As a messenger of the gods, she became an unwitting witness to the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise for eating the forbidden fruit.

The bird is associated, first of all, with the cult of the sun, the rebirth of new life and renewal. In ancient times, she always rose from the ashes or burned out at the moment when a new life was born - a chick appeared. Therefore, Phoenix exists only in a single copy. Combustion, according to legends, occurs as follows. Phoenix always felt the approach of death, and at that moment she was twisting a nest of wood and resin, which ignited under the hot sun, taking the life of the legendary bird with it. And from the remains a new life was reborn.

In China, it was believed that a bird flies away at the approach of death into the desert and sings there until the last moment of its life. Those who hear her songs cannot tear themselves away, how unique the melody is. After the last sounds are performed, the bird is thrown into the fire and burned in it. But already on the third day, the Phoenix is ​​reborn, and it becomes even stronger and more magnificent.

The secret doctrine says that the nature of this bird symbolizes life on earth, when the world alternately collapses under a fiery flood, then reborn again. This is a kind of symbol of the human soul, which, leaving, returns to earth again. In ancient times, the Phoenix was a symbol of divine kingship.

Phoenix in oriental culture

According to Chinese mythology, there are four sacred animals, one of which is the Phoenix. This red creature embodies two principles at once - yin and yang, the sun and the beauty of the surrounding world, its subtlety and feminine meekness.
The Phoenix consists of various elements that are symbols of the world around it, and its coloring includes five colors - five virtues. The appearance of this creature is associated with peace on earth, wealth and prosperity, great wisdom.

In Japanese legends, such characteristics as loyalty and justice, the solar principle were associated with Phoenix.
The first man created special music for the bird, which drew it to the ground. Many signs were associated with this hero. For example, the appearance of a bird in a dream to a pregnant woman meant the birth of a healthy baby who has a great future.
The talisman in the form of a Phoenix gives people strength in difficult life situations, when it seems that nothing can help. The bird teaches a person to emerge victorious from any difficulty, overcome obstacles on their own and even predict some events.

The legend of immortality

According to the Jewish Kabbalah, in the Garden of Eden, only one creature did not taste Eve's treats - the Phoenix. In gratitude that he did not succumb to temptation, God awarded him immortality. But this immortality is very doubtful, because before he is reborn again, he must burn to the ground.

Christianity associates this bird with eternal life. This story becomes another proof that Jesus was really resurrected, this is the meaning of the Christian religion, faith in eternal life. The symbol of life was used everywhere.

Russian mythology and fairy tales

A mythical creature accompanies every legend. Outwardly, it resembles an eagle, but its plumage is very bright and colorful. But there is another category of mythical birds. Phoenix is ​​represented here by Firebird and Finist Bright Falcon.

It is the Firebird that is the direct prototype of the Phoenix from mythological legends. It is customary to look for this bird for the main characters of Russian fairy tales in order to get a beautiful feather from its tail. No wonder this bird was the main prey of those who were looking for. She symbolized fire and the fulfillment of desires. She is connected with Phoenix because the Firebird ended its life in the fall, and in the spring it was reborn again to delight people with its singing and beauty. In contrast, Finist Bright Falcon fell asleep during this time. He personified happiness and eternal youth, becoming a wonderful fellow at night.

Finist Clear Falcon is considered the embodiment of masculinity, strength, valor, courage. These characteristics are inherent in two elements - fire and air. Finist was considered the defender of Russia, a just warrior who personified the precepts of his ancestors.