There are so many conflicting stories of phoenixes – some saying it is around the size of an eagle, disputed eye colourings amongst different reporters and confusion as to whether it was influenced by, or was the influence for, the Bennu (another type of Egyptian bird).
In this article, the main stories will be explored, as well as some reasons for why there is such speculation around this mythical bird. Recommendations for books featuring phoenixes will also be shared – so let’s get started!
Origins of the phoenix
Many scholars point to Ancient Egypt as the beginning of phoenix legends – however, some think that those tales were actually retellings of even earlier classical folklore. Due to the vast history it has seen, there are many additional meanings and mysticism attributed to the phoenix.
Ranging from Christ’s resurrection, the Roman empire, reincarnation, virginity and a whole heap of other interesting derivatives, phoenix tales too have had many applications through motif and storytelling. The word itself first entered our lexicon from Latin, but there is uncertainty as to its initial meanings – thought to either mean ‘griffin’ or possibly even ‘palm tree’! The reason being for the latter is a similar root word, phoenician, which referred to dye-workers of the time who worked with red colourings made from trees.
What is a phoenix?
If the legend of the phoenix were to be boiled down into its narrowest components (which is what is about to happen in the next few lines!) tales of rebirth, resilience and continuation abound. A new phoenix comes into being from the death of another, rising from the ashes in many tales to spread its majestic wings and flap off to do… phoenix things.
Depending on the culture-shaped lens you are viewing the phoenix with, it could also be similar to the Biblical references to a Chol, the Slavic Firebird (which brings bad luck if captured), the Chinese Fenghuang (presiding over all other birds), a Persian Huma bird (rarely spotted), or the Georgian Paskunji – just to name a few examples!
Phoenix legends
Roughly dated during the 4th Century, a Gnostic manuscript writes about the phoenix as an extension from its much earlier origins in folklore, describing the tale of rebirth. Though thought to originate from Greek folklore (or the Ancient Egyptians, depending on who you ask!) the legend spread across many cultures and continents with a slightly different spin.
As time went on, literary usage got much more common – featuring in The Exeter Book during the 10th Century, Dante’s Inferno during the 14th Century, Fletcher and Shakespeare’s Henry VIII and spilling into society, being found in heraldry, crests and other decorative pieces.
Reccomendations
In modern times you can still see references to phoenixes in writing:
- Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau Preto
- Sunbird by Neil Gaiman
- Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
- Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett
- Dragon and Phoenix by Joanne Bertin
‘When the Phoenix is fanning her funeral pyre, will there not be sparks flying!’ – Thomas Carlyle
Maybe we could all be a little more phoenix – resilient, everpresent and extremely majestic. It’s no wonder that in its historical origins, there were so many retellings and differences as it was clearly a popular motif within storytelling.
Impish Fen 
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