Is a phoenix a pagan symbol
2006-09-20 07:53:31 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think the origins of the phoenix are pagan--in that they seem to be either Greek or Egyptian. But I do not think the phoenix is a pagan symbol alone. Some old translations of the Bible referred to the phoenix in Psalm 92 (although my Bible refers to a palm tree). The phoenix was used as a teaching tool for resurrection to pagans. Here's an excerpt I found on www.newadvent.org (it refers to the old translation mentioned above):
CHAPTER 13
From our author's view of a verse in the ninety-second psalm, the Phoenix is made a symbol of the resurrection of our bodies.
If, however, all nature but faintly figures our resurrection; if creation affords no sign precisely like it, inasmuch as its several phenomena can hardly be said to die so much as to come to an end, nor again be deemed to be reanimated, but only re-formed; then take a most complete and unassailable, symbol of our hope, for it shall be an animated being, and subject alike to life and death. I refer to the bird which is peculiar to the East, famous for its singularity, marvelous from its posthumous life, which renews its life in a voluntary death; its dying day is its birthday, for on it it departs and returns; once more a phoenix where just now there was none; once more himself, but just now out of existence; another, yet the same. What can be more express and more significant for our subject; or to what other thing can such a phenomenon bear witness? God even in His own Scripture says: "The righteous shall flourish like the phoenix;" that is, shall flourish or revive, from death, from the grave--to teach you to believe that a bodily substance may be recovered even from the fire. Our Lord has declared that we are "better than many sparrows:" well, if not better than many a phoenix too, it were no great thing. But must men die once for all, while birds in Arabia are sure of a resurrection?
Thanks for reading and God Bless!
2006-09-20 08:09:06 · answer #1 · answered by Mary's Daughter 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea. Why would Catholics know something like that? I've had more than 12 years of formal Catholic training, and this question NEVER came up. Try a Pagan forum.
2006-09-20 08:03:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well how do you catagarse Catholics with Pagans???????
I think that the Phoenix however is a sign of rebirth. I know this because my husband once bought me a necklace with a phoenix on it to go with my rennacaunce costume.
2006-09-20 08:00:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes.
The phoenix is a bird in Egyptian mythology that lived in the desert for 500 years and then consumed itself by fire, later to rise renewed from its ashes.
With love in Christ.
2006-09-20 17:10:56 · answer #4 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why wouldn't you ask a Pagan?
So is your little Jesus fish while we are at it.
2006-09-20 07:55:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
no...and why the heck would "true" catholics know that
2006-09-20 07:57:23 · answer #6 · answered by biffer84 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋