The Phoenix Temple

A Vision for Beyond Belief

Come to the Phoenix Temple where we honor what the Phoenix symbolizes: renewal and rebirth for us all. A bird rising from fire to start anew appears in many ancient mythologies and was revered in various cultures. It also symbolizes the renewing powers of the Sun. Legends vary and details differ, but we are interested in choosing a few universal ideas to incorporate into our project. Limiting the references and keeping it simple will make it more powerful. People have always been drawn to the idea of rebirth from fire and we think it’s particularly appropriate for this year’s theme and Burning Man in general.

The focal point of The Phoenix Temple is a magnificent metal sculpture of a Phoenix bird with long plumes. At night, he is engulfed in flames. His body will develop an intense patina from the flames’ heat as the week progresses. He stands in a nest of fire and as his plumage stretches skyward it blazes in multi-hued flames. The bird will be made of simple, organic, bold shapes. It is said the Hoo-Oo, Japan’s version of the Phoenix, sings in five notes. This year at Burning Man, a Phoenix’s song will call out to the community to come to the Temple and renew its members’ individual dreams, hopes, ideals, spirits and desires.

The Temple is a raised twenty-one-foot diameter dome with an arched entrance. The panels will be covered with fiery dyed fabric and windows of clear plastic painted with flowing peacock-inspired plumes. Try to imagine standing inside the dome with sunlight filtering through and illuminating glowing flames and delicate swirling feathers in vibrant colors. It will appear like stained glass.

Housed in the Temple is a large, richly adorned altar with a single red egg: a mysterious image from the Arabic version of the tale. The Phoenix, legend says, collects spices and herbs to make its nest when it is time to be reborn. The aromas of cinnamon and myrrh will fill the temple. The crimson egg will stand upright in the center of the four-foot high altar and is several feet tall. The egg will be constructed of papier-mâché. Its surface based on an elaborate Ukrainian pysanky design with many tiny doors. People are invited to participate in a ritual of writing their personal hope of renewal and inserting it into the egg. Once it is filled with their thoughts, we will conduct an egg burning ritual out in the Phoenix sculpture’s nest of flames. Once burned the Phoenix above it will be ignited and appear reborn.

The Phoenix Temple will have plenty of inviting, luxurious cushions around its perimeter. We will encourage acoustic musicians, drummers, and spoken word artists to create and perform for the Phoenix in the temple. Rituals will be written and choreographed to include the community. At nightfall, fire dancers are invited to celebrate outside the Temple around the flaming Phoenix.

This is only a summary of our project that we will bring to Black Rock City in 2003. Please browse the rest of this website for a more complete picture of the Phoenix Temple.

Last revised: July 6, 2003