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The Phoenix Fans of J.K Rowling's Harry Potter series will already be familiar with the phoenix. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, we are introduced to Dumbledore's phoenix named Fawkes - a wonderous red and gold bird with a beautiful song and mysterious powers of healing and rebirth. But did you know that the legend of the phoenix is not merely a creation of J.K. Rowling, but an ancient myth found all over the world? According to the writers of ancient Greece, the phoenix was a magnificent bird larger than an eagle, with an extraordinarily beautiful plumage of red and gold (or sometimes rainbow-coloured) feathers. It dwelt in Arabia, nearby a cool well. Each morning at dawn, it would bathe in the water and sing such a beautiful song, that the sun-god stops his chariot to listen. It was the only creature of its kind and was said to live for up to 1000 years. When it knew its life was to end, the phoenix would retreat to a palm tree in the Arabian desert and build a nest of herbs and spices during a single night. As the sun rose at dawn, the nest would burst into flames, and the phoenix would perish. But at the same time, a young phoenix would arise from the flames of the nest, born anew. Other ancient writers said that the phoenix dwelt in Egypt, where it was known as the Bennu and said to take the shape of a marvellous heron. It was sacred to the Egyptians, who built a great temple along the Nile at Heliopolis (the city of the Sun), in honour of the creature. The phoenix was associated with the great sun god Ra in Egypt, and with Apollo in Greece. Sacred birds associated with the Sun are not unique to Greece and Egypt; for they are found in Chinese mythology as well. The Feng-Huang, also known as Houou in Japan was a heavenly bird said to be one of the four creatures present at the beginning of the world, and was said to be born in the sun. It had the head and comb of a pheasant, the tail of a peacock and, like many other sacred Chinese creatures, had three legs. Its plumage reflected every colour of the rainbow and its song consisted of five notes forming a perfect melody. Its flight was more graceful than any other bird. It bathed only in the purest water flowing from the K'un-lun mountains, while at night it slept in the cave of Tang. Wherever the Feng-Huang went, every variety of bird would follow in its wake. Whenever it appeared, it was an omen of prosperity and peace and was sometimes seen in the skies when Emperors ascended to the Chinese throne. Representing beauty and harmony, the Feng-Huang also came to be associated with weddings. The Russians told stories of a bird with similar healing powers to J.K. Rowling's Fawkes. The Firebird (Zshar-ptitsa) was a bird of tremendous beauty, whose feathers shone like silver and gold and whose eyes sparkle like crystals. It was usually seen sitting on a golden perch and at midnight it would to gardens and fields and illuminate the night as brightly as a thousand lights; just one feather from its tail could light up a dark room. The Firebird ate golden apples which give any who eat them youth, beauty and immortality; when the bird sang, pearls would fall from its beak. The Firebird's chants could heal the sick and return the vision to the blind. Today, the phoenix has not been forgotten, and remains a symbol of triumph, beauty, hope and love. Written by Megan Balanck Click here to visit the gift shop
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