2006-12-02 03:06:18 · 6 answers · asked by e w 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
From what we can trace of history, the phoenix legend started in Egypt. It was fasioned after a heron, they referred to it as a Benu, probably from the word "weben" which mens "to rise."
many ancient texts refer to the Benu as the sacred symbol of the Heliopolis, associated closely with the rising sun and their god, Ra. The Benu was often used in association with the resurrected god Osiris.
The greeks adopted the Benu legend, but named it Phoenix in reference to the brilliant reds and purples associated with the Phoenician traders. At the time, only the Phoenicians knew the secret to creating red and purple dyes. The greeks used a peacock of an eagle to represent their Phoenix, vs the Benu the egyptians used.
Many other civilizations have a Phoenix of sorts. In chinese mythology, it's the Fenghuang, the arabian phoenix sings a song so wonderful thta the sun itself stops to listen. One version says that the phoenix tears have amazing healing properties.
Hope that helps!
2006-12-02 03:19:12 · answer #1 · answered by Jade 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In ancient Egyptian mythology and in myths derived from it, the phoenix or phÅnix is a mythical sacred firebird. 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 embalms the ashes of the old phoenix in an egg made of myrrh and deposits it in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis ("the city of the sun" in Greek). The bird was also said to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, thus being almost immortal and invincible — a symbol of fire and divinity. Although descriptions (and life-span) vary, the phoenix (Bennu bird) became popular in early Christian art, literature and Christian symbolism, as a symbol of Christ, and further, represented the resurrection, immortality, and the life-after-death of Jesus Christ. Originally, the phoenix was identified by the Egyptians as a stork or heron-like bird called a benu, 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 sun-god Ra.
2006-12-02 11:12:33 · answer #2 · answered by moonlighting54 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All sources seem to point to the conclusion that the bird not only doesn't exist today but indeed never has. Mythologically it features in four civilisations - Japan, China, Arabian and Egyptian. Should there have been similarities between the accounts it would have been easier to accept the 'facts' as based on truth. However the converse is the case
2006-12-02 12:35:17 · answer #3 · answered by steven tt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a mythical bird. When it reaches the end of its life, it burns and then is reborn from the ashes.
2006-12-02 12:34:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anaelise 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Egyptian Mythology,a birdthat consumed itself by fire after 500 years,and rose renewed from it's ashes.
2006-12-02 11:21:40 · answer #5 · answered by lilkidmagnet 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it is a Falcon. Or an Eagle.
2006-12-02 11:08:54 · answer #6 · answered by sherijgriggs 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋