Traditional Symbolism

There are various stories of the Phoenix and birds like the Phoenix. Here is just an excerpt from An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols, by J.C. Cooper:

PHOENIX: A universal symbol of resurrection and immortality, of death and rebirth by fire. It is a fabulous bird that dies of self-immolation. It remains dead for three days [the dark of the moon] and rises again from its own ashes on the third day; this is lunar symbolism, but the phoenix is universally symbolic of the sun as it is the ‘fire bird’ and signifies divine royalty, nobility and uniqueness. It also represents gentleness since it crushes nothing it alights on and feeds on no living thing, only dew…

Alchemic: The consummation of the magnum opus; regeneration.

Aztec, Maya and Toltec: Solar, blessings; happiness; it is the Quetzal, the companion of Quetzalcoatl.

Chinese: The Fen-huang or Fung or Fum; the vermilion bird, the substance of flame; it is one of the Four Spiritually Endowed, or Sacred, Creatures and like the dragon and ky-lin, with which it is always associated, it is both yin and yang. When it is the male feng it becomes yang, solar, the firebird; but as the huang it is feminine, yin, and lunar… In the feminine aspect the huang denotes beauty, delicacy of feeling and peace. It is also a bridal symbol signifying ‘inseparable fellowship’, not only for the married couple but the complete yin-yang mutual interdependence in the universe in the realm of duality… its wings are the wind, its tail represents trees and flowers, and its feet are the earth; it has five colors symbolizing the five virtues… The appearance of a phoenix on any occasion was highly auspicious and signified peace and benevolent rule, or the appearance of a great Sage…

Christian: Resurrection; Christ consumes in the fires of the Passion and rising again on the third day; triumph over death; faith; constancy.

Egyptian: Equated with the Bennu, the sun bird, as solar, resurrection and immortality and associated with Ra…

Japanese: The sun; rectitude; fidelity; justice; obedience.

Roman: The rebirth and perpetual existence of the Roman Empire; imperial apotheosis.

Look online for many other descriptions and mythos of the Phoenix.

Last revised: July 6, 2003