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| | [[Image:Phoenix detail from Aberdeen Bestiary.jpg|thumb|275px|The phoenix from the [[Aberdeen Bestiary]].]] | | [[Image:Phoenix detail from Aberdeen Bestiary.jpg|thumb|275px|The phoenix from the [[Aberdeen Bestiary]].]] |
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| − | In ancient [[Egyptian mythology]] and in [[Mythology|myth]]s derived from it, the '''phoenix''' or '''phœnix''' is a [[Mythology|myth]]ical sacred [[fire bird (mythology)|firebird]].
| + | The '''phoenix''', or '''phœnix'''as it is sometimes spelled, has been an enduring [[mythological|myth]] [[symbol]] for millenia and across vastly different cultures. From [[religious|religion]] and [[naturalistic|nature]] symbolism in [[ancient Egypt]], to a secular symbol for recent armies, communities and even societies, as well as an often used [[literary|literature]] symbol, the mythical bird's representation of death and re-birth seems to resonate across time and [[geography]]. |
| − | [[Image:Rinasce piu gloriosa.png|thumb|"Rinasce piu gloriosa" ("It rises again more glorious").]]
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| − | Said to live for 500 or 1461 years (depending on the source), the phoenix is a [[bird]] with beautiful gold and red [[plumage]]. At the end of its life-cycle the phoenix builds itself a nest of [[cinnamon]] twigs that it then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix arises. The new phoenix [[embalm]]s the ashes of the old phoenix in an egg made of [[myrrh]] and deposits it in the [[Egypt|Egyptian]] city of [[Heliopolis (ancient)|Heliopolis]] ("the city of the sun" in [[Greek language|Greek]]). The bird was also said to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, thus being almost immortal and invincible — a symbol of [[Holy Spirit|fire]] and [[divinity]].
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| − | [[Image:Phoenix rising from its ashes.jpg|thumb|A reborn Phoenix, rising from its ashes.]]
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| − | Although descriptions (and life-span) vary, the phoenix ([[Bennu]] bird) became popular in early [[Christianity|Christian]] art, literature and [[Christian symbolism]], as a symbol of Christ, and further, represented the [[resurrection]], [[immortality]], and the [[afterlife|life-after-death]] of [[Jesus Christ]].
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| − | Originally, the phoenix was identified by the Egyptians as a [[stork]] or [[heron (bird)|heron]]-like bird called a ''Bennu'', known from the ''[[Book of the Dead]]'' and other Egyptian texts as one of the sacred symbols of worship at Heliopolis, closely associated with the rising [[sun]] and the [[Egyptian mythology|Egyptian]] [[sun-god]] [[Ra]].
| + | ==General Description== |
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| − | ==Bennu==
| + | Although many cultures have their own interpertation of the phoenix, the differences in nuiance are overshadowed by the mythical creature's more homogeneous characteristics. The phoenix is always a bird, usually having plummage of colors corresponding to fire: yellow, orange, red and gold. The most universal characteristic is the bird's ability of ressurection. Living a long life (the exact age can vary from 500 to over a thousand years), the bird dies in a self-created fire, burning into a pile of ashes, from which a phoenix chick is born, representing a cylical process of life from death. Because it is re-born from its own death, the phoenix also took on characteristics of regeneration and immortality. |
| − | {{Hiero|Bennu –or Heron<br>Phoenix|<hiero>G31-.-G32</hiero>|align=left|era=egypt}}
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| − | The '''Bennu''' bird serves as the Egyptian correspondence to the [[Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]], and is said to be the soul of the ''Sun-God'' [[Ra]]. Some of the titles of the Bennu bird were “He Who Came Into Being by Himself,” “Ascending One,” and “Lord of Jubilees.” The name is related to the verb “weben,” meaning “to rise brilliantly,” or “to shine.” The Bennu bird was the mythological phoenix of [[Egypt]]. It was associated with the rising of the [[Nile]], resurrection, and the sun. Because the Bennu represented creation and renewal, it was connected with the [[Egyptian calendar]]. Indeed, the Temple of the Bennu was well known for its time-keeping devices.
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| − | According to ancient Egyptian myth, the Bennu had created itself from a fire that was burned on a holy tree in one of the sacred precincts of the temple of Ra. Other versions say that the Bennu bird burst forth from the heart of [[Osiris]]. The Bennu was supposed to have rested on a sacred pillar that was known as the [[benben]]-stone. The Egyptian priests showed this pillar to visitors, who considered it the most holy place on earth.
| + | ==Mythical Origins== |
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| − | The Bennu was pictured as a grey, purple, blue, or white [[heron]] with a long beak and a two-feathered crest. Occasionally the Bennu was depicted as a [[yellow wagtail]], or as an [[eagle]] with feathers of red and gold. In rare instances the Bennu was pictured as a man with the head of a heron, wearing a white or blue mummy dress under a transparent long coat. The Bennu was considered the “soul” of the god [[Atum]], Ra, or Osiris. | + | ===Egytian=== |
| | + | {{Hiero|Bennu –or Heron<br>Phoenix|<hiero>G31-.-G32</hiero>|align=left|era=egypt}} |
| | + | The earliest representation of the phoenix is found in the egyptian '''Bennu''' bird, the name relating to the verb “weben,” meaning “to rise brilliantly,” or “to shine.” Some researchers believe that a now extinct large Heron was a possible real life inspiration for the Bennu. However, since the Bennu, like all the other versions of the phoenix, are primarly symbolic icons, the many mythical sources of the Bennu in anceint egyptian culture reveal far more about the civilization. In one of the more prevalent myths, the Bennu had created itself from a fire that was burned on a holy tree in one of the sacred precincts of the temple of Ra. Other versions say that the Bennu bird burst forth from the heart of [[Osiris]]. The Bennu was supposed to have rested on a sacred pillar that was known as the [[benben]]-stone. At the end of its life-cycle the phoenix would build itself a nest of [[cinnamon]] twigs that it then ignited; both nest and bird burned fiercely and would be reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix arose. The new phoenix [[embalm]]ed the ashes of the old phoenix in an egg made of [[myrrh]] and deposited it in the [[Egypt|Egyptian]] city of [[Heliopolis (ancient)|Heliopolis]] ("the city of the sun" in [[Greek language|Greek]]). |
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| − | The ''[[Book of the Dead]]'' says, “I am the Bennu bird, the Heart-Soul of Ra, the Guide of the Gods to the [[Duat|Tuat]].”. | + | The Bennu was pictured as a grey, purple, blue, or white [[heron]] with a long beak and a two-feathered crest. Occasionally the Bennu was depicted as a [[yellow wagtail]], or as an [[eagle]] with feathers of red and gold. In rare instances the Bennu was pictured as a man with the head of a heron, wearing a white or blue mummy dress under a transparent long coat. Because of its connection to Egyptian religion, the Bennu was considered the “soul” of the god [[Atum]], Ra, or Osiris, and was sometimes called “He Who Came Into Being by Himself,” “Ascending One,” and “Lord of Jubilees.” These names and the connection with Ra, the Sun God, reflected not just the anceint egyptian belief in a spiritual continuation of life after physical death, but also reflected the crucial natural process of the [[Nile]]'s rising and falling, which the Egyptian's depended upon for survival. The Bennu also became closely connected to the Egyptian calender, and the egyptians kept intricate time measuring devices in the Bennu Temple. |
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| − | A large species of heron, nowadays extinct, occurred on the Arabian Peninsula in comparatively recent times; it may have been the ultimate inspiration for the Bennu. Reflecting this, the species was described{{fact}} as [[Bennu Heron]] (''Ardea bennuides'').
| + | ===Persian=== |
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| − | Eclipsologists Elmer G. Suhr and Robin Edgar have suggested that the original inspiration for the bennu bird, and various other mythical birds that are closely associated with the sun, is the total eclipse of the sun. During some total solar eclipses the sun's corona displays a distinctly bird-like form. This total solar eclipse "Sun Bird" almost certainly inspired the winged sun disk symbols of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, the Egyptian solar falcon god Horus, and the bennu bird which is commonly understood to be the Egyptian version of the mythical Phoenix bird.
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| − | ==Huma== | |
| − | :''Not to be confused with other Persian mythological birds and creatures [[Roc]], [[Simurgh]], or [[Homa (mythology)|Homa]]
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| | The '''Huma''', also known as the "bird of paradise," is a [[Persian mythology|Persian]] mythological bird, similar to the [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] [[Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]], which consumes itself in fire every few hundred years, only to rise anew from the ashes. It is considered to be a compassionate bird. The touch of the Huma is said to bring great fortune. | | The '''Huma''', also known as the "bird of paradise," is a [[Persian mythology|Persian]] mythological bird, similar to the [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] [[Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]], which consumes itself in fire every few hundred years, only to rise anew from the ashes. It is considered to be a compassionate bird. The touch of the Huma is said to bring great fortune. |
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| | According to [[Sufi]] master [[Hazrat Inayat Khan|Inayat Khan]], "The word ''huma'' in the Persian language stands for a fabulous bird. There is a belief that if the ''huma'' bird sits for a moment on someone's head it is a sign that he will become a king. Its true meaning is that when a person's thoughts so evolve that they break all limitation, then he becomes as a king. It is the limitation of language that it can only describe the Most High as something like a king." <ref> ''Music of Life,'' Hazrat Inayat Khan, Omega Publications NY, December 1988</ref> | | According to [[Sufi]] master [[Hazrat Inayat Khan|Inayat Khan]], "The word ''huma'' in the Persian language stands for a fabulous bird. There is a belief that if the ''huma'' bird sits for a moment on someone's head it is a sign that he will become a king. Its true meaning is that when a person's thoughts so evolve that they break all limitation, then he becomes as a king. It is the limitation of language that it can only describe the Most High as something like a king." <ref> ''Music of Life,'' Hazrat Inayat Khan, Omega Publications NY, December 1988</ref> |
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| − | | + | ===Greek and Roman=== |
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| − | == Myth origins == | |
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| − | Phoenix (also known as [[Garuda]] in sanskrit) is the mystical firebird which is considered as chariot of [[Hindu]] God [[Vishnu]]. Its reference can be found in Hindu epic [[Ramayana]].
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| | The [[Greeks]] adapted the word ''bennu'' (and also took over its further Egyptian meaning of [[date palm]] tree), and identified it with their own word ''phoenix'' '''φοινιξ''', meaning the colour purple-red or crimson (cf. ''[[Phoenicia]]''). They and the [[Roman mythology|Romans]] subsequently pictured the bird more like a [[peacock]] or an [[eagle]]. According to the [[Greek mythology|Greeks]] the phoenix lived in [[Arabia]] next to a well. At dawn, it bathed in the water of the well, and the Greek sun-god [[Apollo (god)|Apollo]] stopped his chariot (the sun) in order to listen to its song. | | The [[Greeks]] adapted the word ''bennu'' (and also took over its further Egyptian meaning of [[date palm]] tree), and identified it with their own word ''phoenix'' '''φοινιξ''', meaning the colour purple-red or crimson (cf. ''[[Phoenicia]]''). They and the [[Roman mythology|Romans]] subsequently pictured the bird more like a [[peacock]] or an [[eagle]]. According to the [[Greek mythology|Greeks]] the phoenix lived in [[Arabia]] next to a well. At dawn, it bathed in the water of the well, and the Greek sun-god [[Apollo (god)|Apollo]] stopped his chariot (the sun) in order to listen to its song. |
| | + | [[Image:Phoenix rising from its ashes.jpg|thumb|A reborn Phoenix, rising from its ashes.]] |
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| − | One inspiration that has been suggested for the Egyptian phoenix is a specific bird species of [[East Africa]]. This bird nests on [[salt flat]]s that are too hot for its [[egg (biology)|eggs]] or chicks to survive; it builds a mound several inches tall and large enough to support its egg, which it lays in that marginally cooler location. The convection currents around these mounds resembles the [[turbulence]] of a [[flame]].
| + | ===Chinese=== |
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| − | Another suggested inspiration for the mythical phoenix bird, and various other mythical birds that are closely associated with the sun, is the total eclipse of the sun. During some total solar eclipses the sun's corona displays a distinctly bird-like form that almost certainly inspired the winged sun disk symbols of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
| + | ===Other mythical references=== |
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| − | In [[Russia]]n folklore, the phoenix appears as the [[Zhar-Ptitsa]] (Жар-Птица), or firebird, subject of the famous [[1910]] [[The Firebird|ballet score]] by [[Igor Stravinsky]].
| + | Phoenix (also known as [[Garuda]] in sanskrit) is the mystical firebird which is considered as chariot of [[Hindu]] God [[Vishnu]]. Its reference can be found in Hindu epic [[Ramayana]]. In [[Russia]]n folklore, the phoenix appears as the [[Zhar-Ptitsa]] (Жар-Птица), or firebird, |
| − | The phoenix was featured in the flags of [[Alexander Ypsilanti (1792-1828)|Alexander Ypsilantis]] and of many other captains during the [[Greek Revolution]], symbolizing Greece's rebirth, and was chosen by [[John Capodistria]] as the first Coat of Arms of the Greek State (1828-1832). In addition, the first modern Greek currency bore the name of ''[[Greek phoenix|phoenix]]''. Despite being replaced by a royal Coat of Arms, it remained a popular symbol, and was used again in the 1930s by the [[Second Hellenic Republic]]. However, its use by the [[Regime of the Colonels|military junta of 1967-1974]] made it extremely unpopular, and it has almost disappeared from use after 1974, with the notable exception of the [[Order of the Phoenix (Greek medal)|Order of the Phoenix]].
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| − | The phoenix appears also on the city flags and seals of [[Atlanta]] (torched in the [[US Civil War]]), [[San Francisco]] (destroyed by [[earthquake]] and fire in 1906), [[Lawrence, KS|Lawrence, Kansas]] (attacked and burnt by Confederate raiders lead by [[William Quantrill]]), and [[Portland, ME|Portland, Maine]] (destroyed four times by fire), to symbolize the cities’ rebirths from the ashes. It is also the seal of the City of [[Phoenix, Arizona]], the 5th largest city in the [[United States]] that now sits atop the ruins of the [[Hohokam]] city that was once there.
| + | [[Image:Rinasce piu gloriosa.png|thumb|"Rinasce piu gloriosa" ("It rises again more glorious").]] |
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| − | ===Mascot===
| + | ==Literature== |
| − | The Phoenix is the official mascot of [[Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering]] and the [[University of Chicago]]. An earlier institution by the same name had been founded (on a different site) by [[Stephen Douglas]] in 1859, but closed by 1889; the phoenix was chosen as a mascot of the new university to symbolize its rise from the ashes of the old. The phoenix also symbolized the city of [[Chicago]]'s rebirth following the [[Great Chicago Fire]] in [[1871]]. It has also been adopted as an athletics mascot by at least two other American colleges - [[Elon University]] in North Carolina, which changed its mascot to the Phoenix from the "Fighting Christians" upon changing its name from Elon College to Elon University in 1999, and [[Swarthmore College]], which adopted the Phoenix as its first ever mascot in June 2006.
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| − | Similarly, the Phoenix is the symbol of [[Université de Caen|Caen University]], symbolizing its revival after its complete destruction in [[1944]].
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| − | It is also the symbol for two fraternities, and one sorority. The phoenix of [[Alpha Sigma Phi]] represents the fraternity's refounding in the early 1900s. For [[Sigma Alpha Epsilon]], it signifies the rebirth of chapters as members leave and new ones are initiated. The Phoenix of [[Alpha Sigma Alpha]] recognizes the sorority's reorganization in 1914.
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| − | ===Literature===
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| | The phoenix myth is referred to in [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]]'s play ''[[The Tempest (play)|The Tempest]]'', | | The phoenix myth is referred to in [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]]'s play ''[[The Tempest (play)|The Tempest]]'', |
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| | In [[Terry Pratchett]]'s novel [[Carpe Jugulum]], the search for the phoenix forms an important, if confusing and seemingly useless, side plot. | | In [[Terry Pratchett]]'s novel [[Carpe Jugulum]], the search for the phoenix forms an important, if confusing and seemingly useless, side plot. |
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| − | ===Music===
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| − | * [[Transsylvania Phoenix]] is the name of a [[Romania|Romanian]] rock band with folkloric lyrics.
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| − | * The Christian rock band [[Pillar (band)|Pillar]] has a phoenix as part of their logo.
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| − | * The British band [[Queen (band)|Queen's]] logo has a picture of a Phoenix on the top part. The logo was designed by their singer, [[Freddie Mercury]].
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| − | * In the [[Elton John]] song ''Grey Seal'' a phoenix bird is mentioned: "If the phoenix bird can cry than so can I"
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| − | * Rock group [[30 Seconds to Mars]]'s official logo is the phoenix.
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| − | * [[Phoenix (band)|Phoenix]] is the name of a [[France|French]] soft pop/rock band.
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| − | * [[La Fenice]] ("The Phoenix") is a famous [[Opera]] house in [[Venice, Italy]].
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| − | * Bassist [[Dave Farrell]] of [[Linkin Park]] is also known as Phoenix.
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| − | * The alternative rock band [[Live (band)|Live]] makes reference in the song ''[[The Dolphin's Cry]]'' saying "this phoenix rises up from the ground, and all these wars are over". The Phoenix is used in this context to help symbolize the cycles of love and sexual union being reborn over and over again.
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| − | * The American hard metal band [[Bound for Glory]] in the chorus of ''The Iron Eagle Flies Again'' sings " From the fire the winged one emerges into the endless night the rubbles of old turnes to streets of gold ..."
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| − | *Fusion rock group Sol Spectre (translated "sun spirit") uses a flaming phoenix rising from from a fire as one of its emblems
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| − | *The Band [[Senses Fail]] has at the end of their song (Bite To Break Skin) the Verse. "The phoenix will die inside the firestorm"
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| − | Numerous musicians have recorded songs called that reference the Phoenix in the title:
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| − | *[[AFI (band)|AFI]]: "The Days of the Phoenix" (from the album ''[[The Art of Drowning]]'')
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| − | *[[Annihilator (band)|Annihilator]]: "Phoenix Rising" (from the album ''[[Set the World on Fire]]'')
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| − | *[[Converge]]: "Phoenix in Flight", "Phoenix in Flames" (from the album ''[[Jane Doe (album)|Jane Doe]]'')
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| − | *[[The Cult]]: "The Phoenix" (from the album ''[[Love (Cult album)|Love]]'')
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| − | *[[Dan Fogelberg]]: "Phoenix"
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| − | *[[Fortress (band)|Fortress]]: "Phoenix Rising" (from the album ''Fortress'')
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| − | *[[Headhunters]]: "Phoenix" (sung in *[[Celtic language|Celtic]]){{cn}}
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| − | *[[Kids in the Way]]: "Phoenix With a Heartache" (from the album ''[[Safe from the Losing Fight]]'')
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| − | *[[Stratovarius]]: "Phoenix" (from the album ''[[Infinite (Stratovarius album)|Infinite]]'')
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| − | *[[Thrice]]: "Phoenix Ignition" (from the album ''[[Identity Crisis (album)|Identity Crisis]]'')
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| − | *[[Robbie Williams]]: "Phoenix From the Flames" (from the album ''[[I've Been Expecting You]]'')
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| − | *[[L´ÂME IMMORTELLE]]: "Phoenix"
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| − | ===Artwork===
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| − | Sculptor Theodore Roszak used the phoenix as inspiration for his 1958 "Night Flight."
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| − | ===Automotive===
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| − | GM's [[Pontiac Firebird]] sported a huge phoenix on the hood of its car, although it came in vouge in the early seventies, it stayed as a cornerstone of the styling until the early eighties before it was phased out.
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| − | ===Phoenix trams in Brisbane, Australia===
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| − | Following a disastrous fire that destroyed the [[Paddington tram depot fire|Paddington tram depot]] in [[1962]], the [[Brisbane City Council]] constructed eight trams from material salvaged from trams destroyed in the fire. These trams featured a small picture of a phoenix underneath the [[motorman]]'s windows, to signify that these trams had "risen from the ashes".
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| − | ===Video games===
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| − | *In [[Ultima VII]]: Serpent Isle, the Avatar encounters a Phoenix who rewards the Avatar with a life creating Phoenix egg after the Avatar revives the Phoenix using fire. The egg is a vital ingredient in the creation of Boydon's new body.
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| − | *In the [[Final Fantasy]] series, the Phoenix appears as a summon in [[Final Fantasy V]], [[Final Fantasy VI]], [[Final Fantasy VII]], [[Final Fantasy VIII]], and [[Final Fantasy IX]]. Unlike most summons in the series, obtaining the Phoenix summon usually ties into the game's story in some way. In Final Fantasy V, the player can do a [[side-quest]] in which he or she finds King Tycoon's wyvern at the top of Phoenix Tower, barely alive. The Wyvern proceeds to sacrifice himself to Reina, King Tycoon's daughter, by diving from the tower and as he plummets toward the bottom, a phoenix rises up out of his body and grants the group his aide as a summon. In Final Fantasy VI, the character Locke, a noble thief, attempts to revive his long-lost lover Rachel, who he lost when she fell to her death in the chasm of a cave, by using the [[Magic in the Final Fantasy series#Summon Magic|magicite]] in Phoenix Cave, which is said to possess the essence of the legendary bird. The Phoenix is a legendary bird but only one lived at a time. When it was about to die it would build a fire and kill itself but a new younger Phoenix would be born. The [[down feathers|down]], or in the Japanese versions, the tail, of the Phoenix is a common product in general stores and can be used to revive dead or mortally wounded party members and destroy undead creatures.
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| − | *In [[Sonic Adventure 2]] (Battle), a phoenix is one of the small animals that you can give to your [[Chao (Sonic the Hedgehog)|chao]] to raise every stat except stamina.
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| − | *A phoenix named Peter plays an important role in Sega's game [[Shining Force II]].
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| − | *In the game [[Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal]], the main ship you fly around on is called The Phoenix a.k.a. "The pride and joy of the galaxy's fleet."
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| − | *In the [[Protoss]] Campaign found in [[StarCraft]], a main hero figure is known as [[Fenix (StarCraft)|Fenix]]. Though the spelling is different, there is a point in the storyline where as a fiery, passionate personality, he is killed in battle, but then comes back to life in a cybernetic body, thus creating the same kind of image. Sadly, the Protoss hero is yet again killed in battle after his resurrection, by [[Infested Kerrigan]].
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| − | *The phoenix can also be summoned in [[Warcraft III]], where it burns itself over time, but is continuously reborn from an egg that it leaves behind at death.
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| − | *A Phoenix, and its not-as-powerful downgrade 'Firebird,' can be recruited in the Conflux castle of [[Heroes of Might and Magic III]] (complete with upgrades). The Conflux castle is full of elementals of various types, such as earth, fire, air and water; it is reliant on magic during battle and its most powerful creature is... the Phoenix. The Phoenix actually has its own unique ability that no other creature has in HoMM, quite fittingly, it rebirths a small number of Phoenix when it dies in battle.
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| − | *In [[Golden Sun: The Lost Age]] a phoenix is a later rather hard monster that is encountered later in the game. It does not have rebirthing abilities (though it can revive other monsters) but does have some powerful fire attacks.
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| − | * In [[Lost Magic]], the Phoenix is a fiery bird in Blaze Lake which attacks with its feathers.
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| − | *In [[Age of Mythology]] and its expansion pack, the phoenix is a myth unit for the Egyptian civilization and sent to the player by the god Thoth. When it is killed, an egg is laid from which a new phoenix can be hatched as long as the egg is not destroyed.
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| − | *Phoenix was one of the characters in the 1980s computer game [[Archon (computer game)|Archon]], originally released for [[Atari 8-bit family|Atari]] but later ported for various other platforms, including Apple II, Commodore 64, Amiga and IBM PC.
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| − | *In [[Guild Wars]], Phoenix is a a spell in the Fire Magic line of magic for the profession "Elementalist". It flies out from the caster's location, burning nearby enemies, before exploding in the area of the targeted foe. Also , a stylized phoenix appears in the spell art for the Resurrection Signet, a spell that revitalizes dead party members. In addition, a Phoenix is a pet that can be found in Guild Wars: Factions.
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| − | *The [[Pokémon]] franchise includes two Pokémon which are based on the Phoenix, named [[Moltres]] and [[Ho-oh]]. The latter's name is a romanisation of the name for the [[Fenghuang|Chinese Phoenix]], ''Houou''.
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| − | *The [[Shenmue]] series includes much of the myths about the Phoenix and includes a Phoenix design carved in a stone mirror.
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| − | *In the PlayStation game [[Monster Rancher 2]], the monster Phoenix is a creature said to sleep in the volcano Kawrea. Which later on the main character will wake it up. The monster is pictured as a flaming bird with mighty Fire magic such as Fire Beam and Fire Wave. The main character can produce Phoenix by combining two monster with a Phoenix Feather (found in Kawrea Volcano). Later then, the main character can produce Phoenixs from CDs.
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| − | * In the PlayStation game [[Mega Man X6]], one of the eight main [[Maverick (Mega Man)|Maverick]] boss characters named [[Blaze Heatnix]] is a flaming bird [[Reploid]] and uses fire and magma attacks.
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| − | * In the [[Game Boy Advance]] game [[Mega Man Zero 2]], one of the bosses of the game is named ''Phoenix Magnion'' and has fire based abilaties.
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| − | * In [[MegaMan Battle Network 5]], a Giga Chip can be bought at Higsby's store: in Protoman, it is Death Phoenix, and in Colonel, just regular Phoenix. Death Phoenix summoned dark worm-like objects to attack the foe, then summon the last Navi used. Phoenix rained fire on the opponent, then healed you with the healing powers of the Phoenix.
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| − | * The [[Nintendo DS]] game [[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney]], and its sequel [[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice for All]], star a rookie [[defense attorney]] of the same name who, like his namesake, is able to "rise from the ashes" of certain defeat to turn cases around. The first game's final episode is also called "Rise from the Ashes" in reference to this.
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| − | * In the [[MMOG]] [[EVE Online]], the Caldari Dreadnought is named Phoenix.
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| − | * In [[The Legend of Zelda]] series, a Phoenix is often seen as the emblem representing the kingdom of "Hyrule". This emblem can be seen respectively in the series 3 dimensional itterations, excluding [[Majora's Mask]]. In [[Ocarina of Time]] it can be seen in numerous locations throughout the game but more specifically on the Hylian Shield as adult [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]], below the Triforce mark that is above its beak. In [[The Wind Waker]] it can be seen throughout numerous locations where Link obtains the Triforce charts. This Phoenix can be said to represent how [[Hyrule]] is constantly thrown into darkness, only to be reborn once more when Link defeats the evil that haunts it.
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| − | * In [[Gears of War]], the protagonist is named [[Marcus Fenix]], with the last name pronounced the same as the bird.
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| − | * In [[Escape Velocity Nova]], the Phoenix and the Firebird are two types of Auroran fighter.
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| − | * In Bloody Roar Primal Fury/Extreme, Cronos, one of the new characters introduced into the series, has two beast forms. His first is a penguin, but his Hyperbeast form is a tall, vicious phoenix that uses various flame attacks, and sets fires wherever he walks. It should be noticed he has 4 wings in this form, and they even seem to leave a colorful trail when he flies. This beastform is also considered one of, if not, the most powerful beast in the series (second to maybe Ryoho's Dragon form and Uranus' Chimera form).
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| − | ===Film and TV===
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| − | In the daytime soap opera ''[[Dark Shadows]]'', the character of Laura Murdoch Collins returns to Collinsport, Maine after a ten-year absence to gain custody of her son from her estranged husband, Roger. It is revealed that Laura is an "immortal phoenix" in human form and is nearly at the end of her 100-year lifespan, as she is granted in this storyline. To make a successful completion of the reincarnation process, she must bring another person - her son - into the fire with her. The character of Laura the phoenix is reincarnated a few times into the plotlines of the show, with later episodes showing her to be a worshipper of the god [[Ra]], which may explain the lack of survivors of those she brings into the fire with her, reframing her victims as a divine sacrifice for favor and power rather than as companions for eternity.
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| − | In the ''[[Star Trek]]'' universe, ''[[Phoenix (Star Trek)|Phoenix]]'' is the name given to the first man-made spacecraft to travel faster than light. It is named ''Phoenix'' because in the Star Trek timeline, the Earth was still recovering from the ravages of [[World War Three]], and represents a reborn and bright future for humanity.
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| − | Also, there was a Fereration Starship called the U.S.S. Phoenix, commanded by Capt. Benjamin Maxwell. This ship went rogue, destroying several Cardassian ships and stations.
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| − | In the animated series [[Conan the Adventurer]] Needle is Conan's fledgling phoenix sidekick. He possesses the ability to enter flat surfaces and magically transforms into a phoenix design (although he needs his magical tail feathers to accomplish this feat, and loses this power if he loses one of them.) He spent most of his time inside Conan's shield. Needle speaks in the third person giving others nicknames (i.e. he calls Conan "big dumb barbarian") and loves to eat pomegranates. He eventually learns how to harness his full power and aid Conan in battle. When in public Needle, who has the ability to speak, is often asked to impersonate a parrot in order to not arouse suspicion, an act which he greatly resents.
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| − | In the movie, ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]]'', based on the book ''[[The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]]'' by [[C. S. Lewis]], a phoenix bursts into flame and flies low over the grass in front of the White Witch's lines, to make a wall of flame to guard Peter's retreat to safer ground.
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| − | In the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh!]]'' Trading Card Game, one of the more popular cards is called Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, and has what is fundamentally a phoenix-like "rebirth" power-whenever it is destroyed by some sort of card effect, it is revived from the Graveyard (discard pile). It is worth noting that [[Nephthys]] is an Egyptian goddess, drawing on the Egyptian symbolism and theme of the ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' franchise. It is one of the rare 2-Tribute monsters restricted to one per deck, and veterans consider it (alongside the other restricted Tribute) to be one of the few 2-Tribute monsters worth playing competitively.
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| − | Also in ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'', the Egyptian God card, [[The Winged Dragon of Ra]], has the power to transform into a Phoenix. In its Phoenix form, Ra can destroy all enemy monsters at the cost of 1000 Life Points. However, this power can only be used if Ra is first revived from the Graveyard.
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| − | In the anime series ''[[Beyblade]]'', characters battle using a form of spinning top, many of which contain "bit-beasts" which are based on animals including mythological creatures. One such bit-beast is named Dranzer and is based on the Phoenix.
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| − | In the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' series of books and movies, [[Albus Dumbledore]] has a phoenix called Fawkes as a pet. Fawkes also has the ability to carry tremendous weight and to swallow killing curses. His tears also have healing properties, demonstrated in two books (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)
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| − | In the [[Super Sentai]] and [[Power Rangers]] franchises, there have been many [[mecha]] and [[Zord]]s based off of the phoenix.
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| − | * In ''[[Gosei Sentai Dairanger]]'' (footage used in the second season of ''[[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers]]''), the HououRanger controlled Legendary Chi Beast Star Phoenix, which became the Pink Power Ranger's Firebird Thunderzord was based upon the phoenix. However, both of these are based off of the [[Fenghuang|Chinese phoenix]].
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| − | * In ''[[Chouriki Sentai Ohranger]]'' (footage used in ''[[Power Rangers: Zeo]]''), OhRed piloted the SkyPhoenix, which became Zeo Ranger V – Red's Zeozord V.
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| − | * In ''[[Seijuu Sentai Gingaman]]'' (footage used in ''[[Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy]]''), the mecha GigaPhoenix was at one time StarBeast GigaPhoenix a blue phoenix before it was mechanized. This became the Stratoforce Megazord which was formally the Phoenix Galactabeast before it became a [[zord]].
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| − | * In ''[[Mahou Sentai Magiranger]]'' (footage used in ''[[Power Rangers: Mystic Force]]'') MagiRed's power comes from the Phoenix and had both a Majin (humanoid) and Majuu (animal) Phoenix form, entitled MagiPhoenix and MagiFirebird (the latter is based on the Chinese phoenix). These forms became the Red Mystic Ranger's Mystic Phoenix and Mystic Firebird Mystic Titan forms.
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| − | In the ''X-Men'' series, the character [[Jean Grey]], who was thought to have perished, eventually resurfaces as the new character Phoenix. In the film series, the second movie ends with Jean Grey's apparent death, followed by the third film resurrecting her as Phoenix. Note that in the end of the second movie, a bird-like shadow is seen underwater when Jean Grey supposedly dies, giving any X-Men fans a sign of what's to come.
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| − | In the anime version of the game "Monster Rancher" a boy named Genki gets sucked into his favorite game, so he and some new friends go in search for the Phoenix, the only creature that is powerful enough to stop the evil Moo from taking complete control of their world.
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| − | In [[Fantasia 2000]], a Phoenix-like [[fire bird]] comes alive to the music of [[The Firebird]] Suite by [[Igor Stravinsky]].
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| − | In the Japanese anime series Saint Seiya, one of the Bronze Saints is under the armor of the Phoenix, and named Ikki of Phoenix.
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| − | In the game Perfect Dark, one of the Mian weapons is called the Phoenix. It emits a high energy laser or may be changed into a highly destructive explosive shell.
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| − | ===Comics===
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| − | In the canon of comic author [[Osamu Tezuka]] the phoenix is often featured as both a literal and symbolic character. Most prominently in the 12 volume series [[Phoenix (manga)|Hi no Tori]] in which the phoenix is an all knowing cosmic force which connects the string of cultural, physical, and spiritual deaths, rebirths, reincarnations and transmigrations throughout the series.
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| − | The [[X-Men]] comics' most famous and successful story arc featured the fabled Phoenix Force merging with the dying X-Men mutant [[Jean Grey]] in order to pilot a shuttle down from space. Through Jean's empathic abilities and highly-tuned senses the sentient Phoenix experienced incredible [[sensations]] and emotions never before felt, this caused it to become corrupt and refused to leave Jean's body. This heralded the Dark Phoenix saga which saw the X-men battling the nearly limitless power of the Phoenix force. It led to Jean Grey sacrificing herself to save the world from destruction. Although not truly a Phoenix, Jean Grey symbolized the essence of a Phoenix when she rose from the ashes, or the dead, later on in the comics. The Phoenix Force later merged with Jean Grey's daughter (from an alternate future), [[Rachel Summers]], who also died and later came back to life.
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| − | In the classic [[anime]] franchise, ''[[Science Ninja Team Gatchaman]]'', the most spectacular power the [[superhero]] has is the ability to temporarily transform their aircraft, ''The God Phoenix'' in a massive phoenix like bird of flame to escape danger.
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| − | ==Demonolatry==
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| − | In the practice of [[Demonolatry]] one [[demon]] is called Flereous and referred to as "The Phoenix who Rises From the Ashes."
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| − | == References ==
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The phoenix from the Aberdeen Bestiary.
The phoenix, or phœnixas it is sometimes spelled, has been an enduring myth symbol for millenia and across vastly different cultures. From religion and nature symbolism in ancient Egypt, to a secular symbol for recent armies, communities and even societies, as well as an often used literature symbol, the mythical bird's representation of death and re-birth seems to resonate across time and geography.
General Description
Although many cultures have their own interpertation of the phoenix, the differences in nuiance are overshadowed by the mythical creature's more homogeneous characteristics. The phoenix is always a bird, usually having plummage of colors corresponding to fire: yellow, orange, red and gold. The most universal characteristic is the bird's ability of ressurection. Living a long life (the exact age can vary from 500 to over a thousand years), the bird dies in a self-created fire, burning into a pile of ashes, from which a phoenix chick is born, representing a cylical process of life from death. Because it is re-born from its own death, the phoenix also took on characteristics of regeneration and immortality.
Mythical Origins
Egytian
The earliest representation of the phoenix is found in the egyptian Bennu bird, the name relating to the verb “weben,” meaning “to rise brilliantly,” or “to shine.” Some researchers believe that a now extinct large Heron was a possible real life inspiration for the Bennu. However, since the Bennu, like all the other versions of the phoenix, are primarly symbolic icons, the many mythical sources of the Bennu in anceint egyptian culture reveal far more about the civilization. In one of the more prevalent myths, the Bennu had created itself from a fire that was burned on a holy tree in one of the sacred precincts of the temple of Ra. Other versions say that the Bennu bird burst forth from the heart of Osiris. The Bennu was supposed to have rested on a sacred pillar that was known as the benben-stone. At the end of its life-cycle the phoenix would build itself a nest of cinnamon twigs that it then ignited; both nest and bird burned fiercely and would be reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix arose. The new phoenix embalmed the ashes of the old phoenix in an egg made of myrrh and deposited it in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis ("the city of the sun" in Greek).
The Bennu was pictured as a grey, purple, blue, or white heron with a long beak and a two-feathered crest. Occasionally the Bennu was depicted as a yellow wagtail, or as an eagle with feathers of red and gold. In rare instances the Bennu was pictured as a man with the head of a heron, wearing a white or blue mummy dress under a transparent long coat. Because of its connection to Egyptian religion, the Bennu was considered the “soul” of the god Atum, Ra, or Osiris, and was sometimes called “He Who Came Into Being by Himself,” “Ascending One,” and “Lord of Jubilees.” These names and the connection with Ra, the Sun God, reflected not just the anceint egyptian belief in a spiritual continuation of life after physical death, but also reflected the crucial natural process of the Nile's rising and falling, which the Egyptian's depended upon for survival. The Bennu also became closely connected to the Egyptian calender, and the egyptians kept intricate time measuring devices in the Bennu Temple.
Persian
The Huma, also known as the "bird of paradise," is a Persian mythological bird, similar to the Egyptian phoenix, which consumes itself in fire every few hundred years, only to rise anew from the ashes. It is considered to be a compassionate bird. The touch of the Huma is said to bring great fortune.
The Huma bird joins both the male and female natures together in one body, each sharing a wing and a leg. It avoids killing for food, rather preferring to feed on carrion. The Persians teach that great blessings come to that person on whom the huma's shadow falls. [1]
According to Sufi master Inayat Khan, "The word huma in the Persian language stands for a fabulous bird. There is a belief that if the huma bird sits for a moment on someone's head it is a sign that he will become a king. Its true meaning is that when a person's thoughts so evolve that they break all limitation, then he becomes as a king. It is the limitation of language that it can only describe the Most High as something like a king." [2]
Greek and Roman
The Greeks adapted the word bennu (and also took over its further Egyptian meaning of date palm tree), and identified it with their own word phoenix φοινιξ, meaning the colour purple-red or crimson (cf. Phoenicia). They and the Romans subsequently pictured the bird more like a peacock or an eagle. According to the Greeks the phoenix lived in Arabia next to a well. At dawn, it bathed in the water of the well, and the Greek sun-god Apollo stopped his chariot (the sun) in order to listen to its song.
A reborn Phoenix, rising from its ashes.
Chinese
Other mythical references
Phoenix (also known as Garuda in sanskrit) is the mystical firebird which is considered as chariot of Hindu God Vishnu. Its reference can be found in Hindu epic Ramayana. In Russian folklore, the phoenix appears as the Zhar-Ptitsa (Жар-Птица), or firebird,
"Rinasce piu gloriosa" ("It rises again more glorious").
Literature
The phoenix myth is referred to in Shakespeare's play The Tempest,
- Now I will believe
- That there are unicorns; that in Arabia
- There is one tree, the phoenix' throne; one phoenix
- At this hour reigning there.
- -(III.iii.27)
Also, in Timon of Athens, a senator metaphorically calls Timon "a naked gull, which flashes now a phoenix."
The early Christian Apostolic Father 1 Clement references the Phoenix.
In certain works of Renaissance literature, the phoenix is said to have been eaten as the rarest of dishes – for only one was alive at any one time. Jonson, in Volpone (1605), III, vii. 204-5 writes: 'could we get the phœnix, though nature lost her kind, shee were our dish.' Another mention of the phoenix as a culinary delicacy occurs in John Webster's The White Devil (1612):
"Those noblemen, / Which were invited to your prodigal feasts, / Wherein the phoenix scarce could scrape your throats, / Laugh at your misery, as fore-deeming you / An idle meteor which drawn forth the earth /
Would be lost in the air." [Act I, scene i, 23-25]
Some literary critics believe the conclusion of Andrew Marvell's 1681 poem "To His Coy Mistress" may allude to the Phoenix, given its references to birds and fire.
Sylvia Townsend Warner's 1940 short story "The Phoenix" satirized the exploitation of nature using a phoenix maltreated in a carnival sideshow, revealing the modern preference for violence and sensationalism over beauty and dignity.
The majesty of Eudora Welty's classic 1941 short story "A Worn Path" employs the phoenix as the name of the major and virtually sole character of a sparsely written yet rich story of regeneration and the South.
Edith Nesbit's famous children's novel, The Phoenix and the Carpet is based on this legendary creature and its quirky friendship with a family of children.
The 1957 children's novel David and the Phoenix features the Phoenix as a main character.
Phuong, the name of a female character in Graham Greene's _The Quiet American_ who seeks a marriage to a Westerner, means "Phoenix."
The phoenix was also famed for being a symbol of the rise and fall of society, Montag and Faber in Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. The pattern of an over complacent and abusive society's destruction yielding a fresh new start was compared to the Phoenix's mythological pattern of consumption by flame, then resurrection out of ashes.
More recently, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels feature a phoenix, named Fawkes (after Guy Fawkes). He is Dumbledore's pet. Dumbledore's Patronus is a phoenix. The life span of this bird is unknown, though it is less than 500 years. In Harry Potter's world, phoenixes can carry enormous weights, their tears have extraordinary healing powers and their song is said to strike fear into the hearts of the impure and courage into those who are pure of heart. The wizards' wands in this world all have a magical element (i.e. a phoenix feather, a unicorn hair, dragon heartstring) at their core (surrounded by wood). Both Harry's and Lord Voldemort's wands contain a feather from Dumbledore's pet phoenix, Fawkes, hence why they locked in Priori Incantatem when the two characters attempted to engage in a magical battle.
In Neil Gaiman's short story 'Firebird', a party of Epicureans finally answer the question of what happens when a Phoenix is roasted and eaten; you burst into flames, and 'the years burn off you'. This can kill those who are unexperienced, but those who have swallowed fire and practised with glow-worms can achieve an immensely satisfying eternal youth.
Sylvia Plath also alludes to the phoenix in the end of her famous poem "Lady Lazarus." The speaker of this poem describes her unsuccessful attempts at committing suicide not as failures, but as successful resurrections, like those described in the tales of the biblical character Lazarus and the Phoenix. By the end of the poem, the speaker has transformed into a firebird, effectively marking her rebirth, which some critics liken to a demonic transformation. The poem ends: "Out of the ash / I rise with my red hair / And I eat men like air."
In Alan Gibbons 'Legendeer' series the main character is called phoenix and is a rebirth of his great uncle Andreas and his destiny as the Legendeer. Phoenix then completes his great uncle's destiny travelling through 3 worlds of ancients myths ; Ancient Greece; Vampyrs; Norse myths. He then appears to die but it is reavelled he chose a new life/birth patrolling these myth worlds and keeping them safe.
In Terry Pratchett's novel Carpe Jugulum, the search for the phoenix forms an important, if confusing and seemingly useless, side plot.
- ↑ The Master Sings, Meher Baba's Ghazals: Translated by Naosherwan Anzar, Zeno Publishing Services, 1981
- ↑ Music of Life, Hazrat Inayat Khan, Omega Publications NY, December 1988
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