Like a virgin - Phoenix, a miracle bird,
Burning itself, it rises from the ashes
An heir as beautiful as herself.

Shakespeare

Phoenix (Greek Φοῖνιξ, Persian ققنوس‎, Latin phoenix; possibly from Greek φοίνιξ, “purple, crimson”) is a mythological bird that has the ability to burn itself and then be reborn.

The Phoenix bird is known in the mythologies of different cultures and is often associated with the solar cult. According to one version, the bird was originally gray, on the other hand, it has appearance, similar to an eagle with bright red or golden-red plumage. Anticipating death, he burns himself in his own nest, and a chick emerges from the ashes. According to other versions of the myth, the Phoenix itself is reborn from the ashes. It was generally believed that the Phoenix was the only, unique individual of its species. In a metaphorical interpretation, the Phoenix is ​​a symbol of eternal renewal.

The first written mention of the Phoenix myth is found in Herodotus (5th century BC). He reports that this bird is from Arabia, lives for 500 years with its parent, and when it dies, it flies to the temple of the Sun God in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis and buries the parent’s body there. Herodotus does not mention the self-burning of the Phoenix and the subsequent revival, and characterizes the myth itself as implausible.

In the Christian world, the Phoenix means the triumph of eternal life, resurrection, faith, constancy; it is a symbol of Christ. In early Christianity, the Phoenix is ​​constantly found on funeral slabs: here its meaning is victory over death, resurrection from the dead. In Rus', the Phoenix had analogues: the Firebird and the Finist.

In Jewish Kabbalah there are some interpretations of the events that occurred in Gan Eden (Garden of Eden), which says that Chava (Eve) fed the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil to her husband Adam and all the animals, birds and beasts. Only one stubborn bird, the Phoenix, did not succumb to temptation, and because of this subsequently retained its relative immortality. This bird lives forever, every thousand years it burns in the flames coming out of its nest, and is again reborn from the ashes. It also mentions the giant bird Ziz, which can cover the entire sun with one of its wings. Both of these birds, according to legend, were inhabitants of Gan Eden (Garden of Eden) during the stay of Adam and Eve (Hawa).

There is another legend about an immortal bird. During the 12-month stay of righteous Noah (Noah) in the Ark during the flood, he fed the animals there. Of all the inhabitants of the ark, only the Phoenix lay, modestly napping in a corner, and to the question of Noah (Noach): Why don’t you demand food for yourself, he answered: “I saw how much trouble you had with others, and did not dare to bother you.” Touched by these words, Noah (Noah) said: “You took pity on my labor, sympathizing with my sorrows.” May the Almighty send you eternal life.

Phoenix is ​​a universal symbol of immortality: death and rebirth in fire.

One of the legends says that when the phoenix feels the approach of death, it builds a nest of incense wood and resins, which it then exposes to the scorching rays of the sun until it burns to ashes in their flames. Then a new phoenix arises from its remains.

“The death and resurrection of the Phoenix mean the successive destruction and restoration of the world, which... was accomplished through a fiery flood...” (H.P. Blavatsky. “The Secret Doctrine”). Being a “bird of fire”, it signifies the divinity of royal power, nobility and uniqueness, as well as meekness. In all traditions, the Phoenix acts as a solar symbol. An analogy can be drawn between the phoenix and other fantastic birds - Benu in Egypt, Garuda among the Hindus, Simurgh in Iranian mythology, Kerkes in the Turkish tradition. The phoenix, the “liberated soul,” as C. G. Jung put it, became a symbol of human rebirth.

In Egypt, the phoenix, as a symbol of the solar principle, resurrection and immortality, was associated with Ra. When the ancient Egyptians imagined the sun in the form of a bird, its movement across the sky during the day was compared to flight. Thus, in Heliopolis, the center of the solar god Atum, who later merged with Ra, a myth arose about the appearance of the star in the form of a phoenix. The phoenix was considered the ba (soul, spiritual force) of the god Ra, as well as a form of manifestation of Osiris: “Like a phoenix I will pass through the regions of the other world” (“Book of the Dead”).

But I would like to end with one more legend, in my opinion the most poetic, that I have read literally now

Legend of the Phoenix

"... One day a rumor spread among the birds that there was a paradise in the world, and that paradise was in the sun. And they gathered and began to talk about it. The Phoenix bird was also at that meeting.
And the Elder said to those gathered: “That paradise is perfect, and we birds can be there. But the way there is difficult!”
There was no daredevil then who would dare to reach the sun without fear of being burned in its scorching rays. And all the birds said in chorus: “Yes, that paradise is perfect, but, apparently, it was not created for us.”
And suddenly the Phoenix shouted: “I will reach the Sun!”
And the birds fell silent, looking in surprise at their brave brother. And they did not believe him, for the Phoenix’s plumage was gray and inconspicuous, and they laughed at him, saying: “Truly, he is mad who says that the sun will not kill him! It’s as if the Phoenix’s feathers are stronger than ours... Or does it fly higher than us? Why then..."
And again, harder than stone and louder than thunder, a voice sounded, drowning out the mocking hubbub. And that was the voice of the proud Phoenix bird: “I will reach the Sun!”
Then he spread his wings, rose into the blue expanse of the sky and flew towards the luminary. He was getting closer and closer to his goal, and all the other birds remained on the ground. And they looked up at Phoenix, but none of them decided to follow him. And he rose higher and higher and now felt the deadly heat of the sun with his whole body. And then the plumage of the Phoenix flared up, and it burned with scarlet fire. He screamed from indescribable pain, but did not stop!
The Phoenix was not afraid, did not slow down its flight and continued to fly, vigorously flapping its burning wings. And the birds on the ground saw what fate befell the daredevil, but not one of them wanted to help him.
Suddenly a bright ray of sunshine struck right into the heart of the brave Phoenix, and the proud bird crumbled into dust, and the ashes fell onto the warm mortal earth and mixed with the eternal dust in its vast expanses. Thus, in his quest for beauty, Phoenix died before everyone’s eyes.
And the birds laughed, gloating: “Look what’s left of this madman! Serves him right for his stupidity!!” And they did not know that the spirit of the Phoenix did not perish just as his body perished. They did not know that the spirit of the Phoenix ascended to the sun, only to rush to the earth a moment later.
And the birds saw how something sparkling flew through the heavenly expanse and stopped over the place where the cloud of the noble Phoenix’s ashes had dissipated. And a sheaf of white fire flashed, and a new bird flew out of that fire. She was young, strong, beautiful, her plumage sparkled with purple, perky fire.
And that bird was the burnt Phoenix. So he rose from his ashes to always continue to strive for the beautiful."

The Phoenix bird looks like an eagle with red and golden feathers. For many centuries she managed to amaze people with her amazing qualities- to be reborn from the ashes after self-immolation and live for an unusually long time. Phoenix - beautiful legend, which exists in several versions.

In the main version, which has become classic, with a periodicity of five hundred years, she flies from India to the Libyan temple of the sun, located in Heliopolis, and throws herself into a fire of the sacred vine, kindled. The wings, soaked in incense, flare up instantly, and the victim burns in the fire. The new phoenix rises from the ashes three days later, thanks the priest for his work and flies off to India.

The Bennu bird from Ancient Egypt, which in its appearance resembled a heron, was also reborn after self-immolation, similar to the example described above.

Since ancient times, people have strived for immortality, and the Phoenix was the personification of this dream. In the ancient world, his images could be found in heraldry and sculpture, on seals and coins. This symbol in poetry and prose is strongly associated with the aftermath of execution.

Chinese Phoenix

Ancient China had its own legend. The mythical bird with colored plumage was called Feng Huang, had the beak of a cock and the crop of a swallow, the coloring of a dragon, the body, neck of a snake, and the tail of a fish. From the back she resembled a unicorn, and from the front a swan. She lived in the kingdom of perfect people, soaring above the mountains and seas.

The first mention of the Feng Huang bird appeared in the 15th century BC. e. The word "Feng" meant the divine wind, and the word "huang" meant the crest of a bird in the form of a sun with rays like a trident. This confirms the origin of “Feng Huang” (from the light of the sun).

According to some reports, the arrival of Phoenix coincides with the beginning of the rainy season. In China, the phoenix bird, according to legend, knows the seasons.

The Chinese “Catalogue of Seas and Mountains” also contains a mention of this miracle. In it, among the gold and jade on the top of the mountain, lives a five-colored bird. She sings wonderfully and dances beautifully to the beat of her song. On her wings is the hieroglyph “i”, which means justice, and on her chest is the hieroglyph “ren” - perfection. On the bird’s belly is the hieroglyph “blue” - honesty. The back is decorated with the hieroglyph “li”, meaning good manners, and the head - “de” - virtue. According to an ancient legend, the moment the whole Celestial Empire sees the Feng Huang bird, calm and peace will reign in the country.

Phoenix bird legend of rebirth

The German scientist F. Wolf in his The book “On the Unreasonableness of Animals” systematized all the information about the miracle bird. According to Wolf's work, the lifespan of the Phoenix is ​​160 years; the bird cannot reproduce, but is capable of being reborn from its ashes. The head is decorated with a golden crest, the neck is shiny, the feathers in the tail are pink, the size of the individual is that of an eagle.

As death approaches, she builds a nest of rare plants and fragrant herbs that are easily flammable, for example, myrrh, coffee, and aloe. One day the nest catches fire and the Phoenix bird burns with it. Then a small worm appears on the ashes, and an adult individual grows from it.

Mentions of the Phoenix bird in other books

The time comes when the Phoenix carries the ashes to Heliopolis and places them on the altar. This is how Ovid describes his renewal.

According to the book “Physiologist”, the head of the phoenix is ​​decorated with a crown, and on its feet are royal boots. This creature feeds on the holy spirit and lives on the Lebanese cedar tree for 500 years. Having heard the bell ringing on the day of its death, it turns to ashes on the church altar.

In the morning, a chick is found at this place. Within a day he takes on his usual appearance. Rus' has its own description of this miracle. It is contained in the “pigeon book”, according to which the Phoenix is ​​the mother of all birds. Its outlandish feathers are stronger than damask steel - they cut stones and bones, and overseas merchants buy feathers for cutting satin and velvet. In Christianity, the Phoenix symbolizes the resurrection of the flesh.

The image of the sacred bird Phoenix has existed on earth for thousands of years. Its body resembles an eagle, and its limbs resemble a heron. This creation is known all over the world. In each country the bird has its own name. A talisman in the form of a bird brings people goodness to their homes, success in work and well-being.

History of appearance

The famous Phoenix did not immediately become associated with immortality. Initially, Herodotus described the bird to Ben. The creature was able to live 500 years.

Over time, the creature's story changed. It is known that the bird lives in the world for exactly 1 Platonic year, i.e. 12954 human years. But he may not reach the allotted years if he inhales the aroma of cinnamon. When the soul of a creature departs to another world, a new chick appears, which after a set period of time becomes strong and strong.

The image of a new chick in Greece expresses the sunrise. The Phoenix bird is a symbol of eternal existence, sacrifice, strength and courage.

Fire bird appearance

The description indicates that Ben's bird is the ancestor of the Phoenix. Creation counts main part sacred rites among the Egyptians, who associated it with fire. Many years later, the creature began to appear in legends among the ancient Greeks. The appearance of the animal was described in different ways. Ancient paintings depicted the image of an eagle with the legs of a heron. The color of the bird has always been fiery.

In almost all legends, the Phoenix was endowed with the following qualities:

• unusual beauty;
• life expectancy from 300 to 500 years;
• after death, the animal is purified by fire and reborn, which is why many claim that the Phoenix is ​​born from the ashes;
• lives in the Temple of the Sun in Heliopolis;
• Many rituals are dedicated to him using incense, symbols and superstitions.

From the very beginning, the appearance of the animal was associated with the rising and setting of the sun. Over time, a new opinion emerged: after death, a creature is reborn and reincarnated as a human spirit.

The image of the Phoenix in legends

The Phoenix appears very often in mythology, and the Bible is proof of this. Many books contain legends about the eternal life of the Phoenix.

1. Eve committed the sin of feeding all living creatures with an apple, but only one creature did not agree to the temptation - the Phoenix bird. The creature does not take on sins, so he was granted eternal life by the Lord.
2. There is another popular legend that relates to Phoenix and Noah. While the man was building the Ark, animals filled the ship. Among all those present, a bird with a fiery color and unusual appearance stood out. She sat quietly and did not attract much attention to herself. When Noah asked her why you were acting this way, Phoenix said that he didn’t want to bother anyone. This attitude on the part of the bird did not go unnoticed. The man asked God to reward her with immortality.
3. Another myth involving a bird and Prometheus. The interpretation says that God gave the world fire. He sent a fiery bird to protect him. The gods of Olympus have wanted for centuries to obtain a magical flame, but legend says that as long as a mythical creature exists on Earth, humanity can not worry and use fire in their homes.

In Slavic legends, a creature is described in 2 forms.

1. The Firebird is not immortal and dies with the onset of frost.
2. Clear Falcon falls asleep soundly, and with the onset of spring wakes up.

In Islam, the Phoenix bird symbolizes a man whose appearance is that of a heron with long legs. Residents of Islam call the animal Actus. During the period of procreation, the creature, with its sharp nose, cuts out a fire from a tree into which it lies down. The ashes left by the bird are rained down, and caterpillars are born from the resulting mud. The lineage of mythical animals continues.

In the East, the Phoenix symbolizes a sacred animal. The bird represents men and women. The animal's feathers have 5 different colors, the meaning of which is the main aspects in people's lives. According to legend, the first person to appear on Earth called the Phoenix from heaven using music that came from his heart.

Phoenix bird as a talisman

Phoenix is ​​a symbol of light, sun and warmth. The bird represents fire along with the dragon, which helps married couples have children.

A pair of these animals were created for a reason. In Chinese mythology it is written that the Phoenix is ​​the lover of the dragon.

The meaning of the mythical creature is the search for success, obtaining victory in any business, the search for wisdom and prosperity. The fiery Phoenix talisman has a pronounced orange or red color. Those people who want to achieve a certain goal often use the image of the firebird.

Install images of a mythical creature, figurines, etc. in the southern part of the room. It is prohibited to place other amulets near the symbol. Nothing bad will happen, but Phoenix is ​​demanding of freedom and loves a lot of space. The feathered one will be able to fully open its wings and fulfill all its intended desires, and extraneous symbols and their energy will drown out the power of the Phoenix. The parameters of the amulet do not matter.

The symbol of the Phoenix bird is able to protect any room (residential building, apartment) from various dangers. The talisman will help a person achieve success in business and endow him with high mental abilities. If for some reason it is not possible to purchase a talisman or there is no space in the room to place it correctly, a simple drawing of a bird in red will be enough.

The meaning of the Phoenix is ​​strong and can sometimes cause harm. Damage occurs to those people who have bad character traits - hot temper, aggressiveness. To prevent problems, you should balance the powers of the talisman - purchase a figurine of a dragon, tiger or turtle and place it next to the candles. If they are regularly set on fire, the positive energy of the amulets will increase.

To bring good luck into your home, the figurine must be placed near the front door. If the entrance to the house is fenced with a tree, fence or lush bush, this will only increase the powers of the amulet. There must be plenty of space on the site so that energy can accumulate in the required volume.

The phoenix is ​​a sacred bird from Heliopolis, the ancient Egyptian “city of the sun.” The phoenix served as a symbol of the sun setting in the evening and emerging again in the morning, and the eternal life of the soul leaving the body after death.

The Phoenix is ​​the size of an eagle, the neck is shiny, golden, the tail has pink feathers, the face is round, there is a crest on the head (F. Wolf). In different countries, the phoenix was known by different names. In Arabia it was called “anka”, in Persia – “simurg”, in India – “garuda”.

In bestiaries and medieval books, the legend of the phoenix symbolizes the resurrection of Christ.

The first mention of the Phoenix bird

The first mention of the phoenix is ​​from the Greek poet Hesiod, who speaks of it as a well-known long-lived bird. However, her most detailed description left by Herodotus. According to Herodotus, the Egyptians revered the phoenix as a sacred bird. He himself did not see the bird and describes it from a fresco from the Heliopolis temple: “The Phoenix looks like an eagle with red and gold feathers.”

Here is the story as told by Herodotus: “A young phoenix flies to Egypt from Arabia once every 500 years, in its claws it brings the body of its ancestor embalmed in myrrh, which it buries in the Temple of the Sun in Heliopolis.”

The biblical prophet Ezekiel calls the phoenix the king of birds and admires its wonderful song. Diogenes Laertius (3rd century AD) mentions the phoenix as the only bird that does not need a partner to give birth to offspring.

The first description of the rebirth of the phoenix is ​​found in Pliny the Elder (1st century AD). He writes: “The Phoenix lives in Arabia for 540 years and then dies in a nest that emits a fragrance. From the bones and marrow of the dead bird a small worm emerges, from which a new phoenix grows. Since the time of Pliny, the mythological features of the phoenix have remained practically unchanged: the bird lives for a very long time, it appears to people only shortly before death, after death it is born again and, finally, the phoenix is ​​the bird of the sun.

Ovid's Metamorphoses had a strong influence on the spread of legends about the phoenix. According to Ovid, the phoenix is ​​an immortal bird, its life consists of five-hundred-year cycles. At the end of each cycle, the bird builds a nest of myrrh, cinnamon and other incense on a tall palm tree. The sun ignites the nest and the phoenix burns in flames. The young phoenix, born from the ashes, lives for the next 500 years. When the chick becomes strong enough, it carries the ashes of its ancestor to the temple of the city of the sun.

The Phoenix bird is mentioned in two other works: the Annals of Tacitus, a Roman historian of the 1st century AD. e., which witnessed the last arrival of the Phoenix, and on the poetic poem “The Phoenix Bird,” which is attributed to Lactantius (III - IV centuries AD).

Phoenix symbol in different cultures of the world

In Ancient Egypt, the phoenix was identified with the sun, and in Rome it became a symbol of imperial power. His images are often found on Roman coins.

IN Christian teaching phoenix is ​​a symbol of the immortality of the spirit, divine love and blessing, but also of God the Son, resurrected on the third day after the crucifixion. Images of the phoenix decorate cathedrals in Tours, Magdeburg, Basel, and many other European cities.

The Phoenix bird adorns the shield of Joan of Arc, the seal of the Scottish Queen Mary Stuart, and the medallion of Elizabeth I, Queen of England. Lady Jane Seymour's brooch features a phoenix engulfed in flames.

Chinese myths often describe a wonderfully beautiful bird born from the sun with feathers of five colors, singing a beautiful song of five notes.

For the medieval Chinese, the phoenix symbolized marital fidelity and a life of prosperity. Therefore, she was often depicted on wedding dresses and was a symbol of the bride and the empress.

In Japan, the phoenix is ​​the Sun, straightforwardness, loyalty, justice, obedience.

For the Romans, it symbolizes the divine origin of the Roman Empire, its rebirth and eternal existence.

Myths about the Phoenix bird

According to myths, only one phoenix lives on Earth. According to various sources, his life lasts 500, 1000, 1461 or even 12,994 years. Myths about the phoenix originated in Ancient Egypt, from where they spread to Greece, Rome, then to Christian Europe, and became known throughout the world. This bird is considered a symbol of the sun, as well as the afterlife.

The medieval Physiology tells the Christian myth of the phoenix:

“The divine bird flies to Heliopolis and uses signs to indicate to the priest where the fire should be lit. The phoenix plunges into the fire and burns to the ground, but the next day a worm crawls out of its ashes, which turns into a chick the next day. When the priest comes to the temple on the third day, he sees an adult bird, which then flies away in an unknown direction.”

At the end of the 17th century, the German scientist F. Wolf collected together all the information that was known at that time about the celestial bird Phoenix. The result of the search was published in a work entitled “The Amazing Garden of Wildlife, or On the Unreasonableness of Animals.”

A description of the bird symbol in Ancient Egypt is given by Rundle Clark:

“Imagine a pole sticking out of the waters of the Abbys. On it sits a gray Phoenix, a harbinger of things to come. He opens his beak and breaks the silence of the primeval night with a call to life and the beginning of the course of events, “determining what should be and what should not be.” The Phoenix serves as the embodiment of the original Logos, the word that mediates between the divine plan and the implementation of that plan... In a sense, when the Phoenix utters its cry, it establishes all [calendar] cycles, so that it determines all divisions of time , and therefore his temple at Heliopolis became the center for determining calendar dates."
These words confirm that the mention of the Phoenix is ​​closely connected with the era of the kingdom of the pharaohs, both mythical and historical. The shafts of the burial chambers of the king and queen have calendar significance, since they are oriented to strictly defined stars, and this orientation is repeated according to a cyclic law as a result of precession. The Phoenix proclaims the beginning of a new cycle and thus serves as a link between the pyramid and the stars of Orion, and in a more general sense, is the “soul” of Osiris the king.
The Book of the Dead (Chapter 17) asks: “Who is he?.. I am the great Phoenix from Heliopolis... Who is he? He is Osiris...", and this leaves little doubt who the Egyptian Phoenix really is.

The phoenix also performs a very important function: this cosmic bird brings to Egypt from a distant magical land located beyond the earthly world, the life-giving essence “nike”. According to Rundle Clark, this country is "the island of fire" ... a place of eternal light beyond the world, where the gods were born, where they are reborn to life and from where they are sent into the world." Assuming that the phoenix is ​​related to the soul of Osiris, it can be assumed that the place “where the gods were born and where they are reborn to life” is the Duat.

Myth about the Phoenix bird “Gift of Atlas Prometheus”

“Eternity is boring. And if you suddenly have the misfortune of being immortal, then in order not to die of boredom, you need to find something to do that is worthy of eternity.
My memory stretches back to the day when the Atlantean Prometheus presented people with his magnificent gift - fire.
It seems to me that I was born on that day. Although, for sure, I existed much longer before that. But, apparently, there was nothing worthy in my existence before, and now, as unnecessary, my memory threw everything that happened before that day away.
And that doesn't matter anymore. After all, there simply cannot be anything more exciting and meaningless than my current occupation.
The gods sent me to take away Prometheus’ gift from people, and he himself was cast into the darkness of the earth and doomed to severe torment.
But Atlanta’s gift turned out to be oh so difficult. If it could just be taken away, I think the wise Atlantean would not go against the will of the gods. But Prometheus knew what he was doing. He gave people not just fire, he gave them the Phoenix bird. But few people know that fire is the legendary Phoenix bird. The gods were in the dark for a long time, because they simply could not believe that the ancient Atlantean was capable of this. And every time a person lights a fire, he gives life to a fiery bird. And a small spark, and an all-consuming flame standing up to the skies - all this is the Phoenix bird. She is everywhere and nowhere. And catching it is much more difficult than filling a bottomless barrel by carrying water with a sieve.
And yet, despite all the pointlessness of this activity, it is quite possible to catch a Phoenix bird. It is enough just to leave one single fire in the world, and then the Phoenix bird will be caught.
It’s simple to say, but completely impossible to do. How many times have I already extinguished the fire all over the world in every possible way, but there was always at least the weakest candle fire, which was enough for the Phoenix bird to slip out of my hands.
And yet I continue my work. With tenacity and thoroughness, available only to immortals. I did everything to prevent the fire of the Phoenix bird from igniting again. It was I who came up with light that is not fire. I helped people create a warm place to bask in without lighting a fire. I taught people to create the appearance of fire, so that there would be no fire itself. And no matter how insignificant my work is, I rejoice at every little victory, because it means that I am getting closer and closer to the elusive Phoenix bird.

And even though the gods have long ceased to hope that I will one day be able to catch the Phoenix bird, and the Atlantean Prometheus himself laughs at me from heaven, looking at my senseless work. Let's face it, that's not what's important at all. Something completely different is important. That the gods, without knowing it themselves, gave me what any immortal dreams of - they found me an occupation worthy of eternity itself. There is no activity more exciting and pointless than trying to catch a phoenix, and I am glad that I am destined to hunt the elusive fire bird for all eternity.”

Phoenix A universal symbol of resurrection and immortality, death and rebirth in fire. This fairy bird , dying as a result of self-sacrifice. She remains dead for three days (new moon) and then rises from the ashes. This symbolism is lunar, but the phoenix is ​​universally understood as a solar symbol. Being a fiery bird, it signifies the divinity of royal power, nobility and uniqueness. It also symbolizes meekness, since it never breaks what it lands on and does not feed on anything living, but only on dew. In all versions of the Garden of Eden, the phoenix is ​​associated with a rose. Alchemy: completion of the Great Work, rebirth. Aztecs, Mayans, Toltecs: solar symbol, goodness, happiness. Quetzal is a satellite of Quetzalcoatl. China: Feng Huang, the vermilion bird, the substance of flame, one of the four spiritually gifted (or sacred) beings, embodying, like the dragon and qilin with which it is always associated, both yin and yang. If it is a male (fen), then it is yang, the solar principle, a fiery bird. If it is huang, then this is the feminine, yin, lunar principle. Depicted together with the dragon as a symbol of the emperor, the phoenix becomes a purely feminine symbol and signifies the empress, and together they are both aspects of imperial power. In its feminine form (huang), the phoenix means beauty, subtlety of feelings and peace. It is also a wedding symbol, signifying an indivisible fellowship - not only for the married couple, but also for the universal nn-yang interdependence in the world of duality. In addition, like the dragon and qilin, the phoenix is ​​composed of several different elements representing the entire cosmos: it has the head of a rooster (the Sun), the back of a swallow (symbol of the waxing Moon), its wings are the wind, its tail symbolizes trees and flowers, its legs are the earth , he is five-colored, which symbolizes the five virtues: His color is pleasing to the eye, his crest expresses righteousness, his tongue is sincere, his voice produces a melody, his ear delights in music, his heart follows the rules, in his chest are the treasures of literature, his spurs have power against breaking the law (from an ancient ritual). His appearance was considered on all occasions to be a highly auspicious sign, heralding peace and beneficent rule or foretelling the appearance of a great sage. A pair of phoenixes meant an emperor and a sage. Christianity: resurrection, Christ destroyed by the fire of passions and rising again on the third day, victory over death, faith, constancy. Egypt: identified with Bennu, the solar bird, as a symbol of the solar principle, resurrection and immortality; associated with Ra. It was suggested that the phoenix also symbolized the spiral ascent of Sirius, which in ancient times was a sign of the Nile flood. Japan: Sun, integrity, loyalty, justice, obedience. Rome: the revival and eternal existence of the Roman Empire, the divine origin of the empire.

Dictionary of symbols. 2000 .

See what "Phoenix" is in other dictionaries:

Legendary sacred bird of the ancient Egyptians. Later, this myth became known in Ancient Greece, where it was told in two versions: The Phoenix is ​​a bird covered with bright red, almost fiery plumage, which flies to Egypt every five hundred years, in... ... Dictionary of popular words and expressions

phoenix- a, m. phenix m. gr. phoinix. 1. A mythological bird that burns itself and is reborn from its own ashes. BAS 1. To renew one’s honor, this privilege is given to the phoenix, which bird, having been burned by the Sun, is born again from its ashes.… … Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language

- (Phoenix, Φοίνιξ). 1) Son of Amyntor, teacher of Achilles. 2) The mythical sacred bird of the Egyptians, which, according to Herodotus, flew every 500 years from Arabia to Heliopolis, where by this time its father was dying. According to other legends, the Phoenix burned itself... ... Encyclopedia of Mythology

- (Greek phoenix). 2) the fabulous bird of Arabia, which, according to legend, lives 300 years, and before death it burns itself, and from its ashes a young phoenix appears; symbol of eternal renewal. 2) as a common noun: a person rare in his talents. 3) one... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

Phoenix- Phoenix. Fragment of a Sicilian mosaic. Phoenix. Fragment of a Sicilian mosaic. Phoenix in the myths of the ancient Greeks is a magical bird that lives somewhere in Ethiopia and lives for 500 years (: 1460 years or 12954 years); has the appearance of an eagle and a magnificent red color... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary of World History

In the myths of the ancient Greeks, a magical bird lives somewhere in Ethiopia and lives for 500 years (options: 1460 years or 12954 years); has the appearance of an eagle and a magnificent coloring of red-gold and fiery tones. Anticipating its end, the phoenix burns itself every time... Historical Dictionary

And husband. Star. ed. Report: Feniksovich, Feniksovna. Origin: (Greek personal name Phoinix. From phoinix phoenix, fairy-tale bird.) Dictionary of personal names. Phoenix a, m. Star. rare Report: Fenikovich, Feniksovna. [Greek personal name Phoinix. From phoinix... ... Dictionary of personal names

Phoenix- (Voronezh, Russia) Hotel category: 4 star hotel Address: Koltsovskaya Street 43, Voronezh, Ro ... Hotel catalog

See miracle Dictionary of Russian synonyms. Practical guide. M.: Russian language. Z. E. Alexandrova. 2011. phoenix noun, number of synonyms: 10 ... Synonym dictionary

PHOENIX, phoenix, husband. (Greek phoinix) (book rhetorician, poet). In ancient Greek mythology, a bird that had the ability to burn itself and be reborn from the ashes; used As a symbol of eternal renewal, rebirth. “Like a young phoenix,... ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

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