ORIGINS AND MYTHS OF THE PHOENIX
There are many myths pertaining to the phoenix from around the world. It was thought to originate in Arabia, but later it was considered the bird of Eygt. It was the mythical bird of the ancient Egytian city of Heliopolis - the city of the sun.
It is considered to be a sacred symbol, and is often depicted as having gold and red feathers, with an appearance sometimes resembling a cross between a heron and an eagle. In one basic myth it's said to have been born in the sun, and reincarnates itself from its own ashes after living for 500 years.
The Phoenix may have originated in the Middle East and Northern Africa, but later it was borrowed by the Greeks, Romans and even Christian Europe, right into modern times.
There are other sacred birds in myths which strongly resemble the Phoenix: the anka or roc from Arabia (from which the Phoenix was also said to originate at one point); the semery bird of ancient Persia; and the garuda of India.
There is also a strong resemblance to sacred mythical birds in Asia such as the Chinese feng-huang. The Feng-Huang was said to have originated in the sun.
There is resemblance to the Japanese Ho-o, which was said to have come to the Earth to perform good deeds and tasks.
Fire background courtesy of
All text content and displayed items ©2005 Tajana Kyentu