Ancient man has always wondered about death and what would happen after it. The Egyptians built monumental stone pyramids for the mummies who were to enter eternity. It is therefore only natural that throughout Upper and Lower Egypt there were legends about the Bennu bird (as the Egyptians called the phoenix), which, having died, is reborn again. The phoenix is a bird full of mystery.
In Egypt, Bennu was represented as a large heron, which lived about five thousand years ago in the Persian Gulf region and was a rare guest of the Egyptians. On its head they depicted two long feathers or a solar disk. The sacred bird of Heliopolis, with its beautiful red and gold plumage, was represented as the soul of the sun god Ra. Furthermore, the cry of the bird Bennu was the beginning of time. That is, the Phoenix is time and fire that cannot be held back.
3 interesting facts about the Phoenix bird
- To this day, the magical creature evokes a sense of something unknown and mysterious. It is possible to meet the information that the Phoenix was a creation similar to a real philosopher's stone. This analogy is quite understandable, since both of these creations originate from fire.
- The photo of the mystical creature is placed on the insignia of Elizabeth (Queen of England). The picture has this inscription: "One Phoenix of the whole world".
- For psychologists, the magical origin of the bird served as an identification with the fact that everyone will be able to overcome their shortcomings and begin life with a clean slate.
The well-known site Wikipedia provides users with a lot of information and images of the feathery creature Phoenix. It is up to everyone to believe in the veracity of any of the myths, but it would be foolish to deny the existence of the magical creature, which is mentioned in almost all the mythologies of the world.
The classic Arabian Phoenix
The most famous was the Arabian Phoenix, known to us from Greek sources. This fabulous mythical bird was the size of an eagle. It had brilliant scarlet and gold plumage and a melodious voice.
Settling at dawn every morning by the well, she would sing a song so enchanting that even the great Apollo stopped to listen.
The life of the Phoenix was very long. According to some accounts, it lived for five hundred years, others for a thousand, or even nearly thirteen thousand years. When his life was nearing its end, he would build himself a nest of branches of fragrant myrrh and fragrant sandalwood, set it on fire, and burned it. After three days, the bird, rising from the ashes, would be reborn as a young bird. According to other legends, it emerged directly from the flames.
The young phoenix embalmed the ashes of its predecessor in an egg and carried it to Heliopolis on the altar of the sun god.
The phoenix means victory over death and cyclical rebirth.
What does the phoenix mean to Christians and the Kabbalah of the Jews
The meaning of the Phoenix bird in the Jewish religion can be traced if you pay attention to the mythology. One legend has it that while in the Garden of Eden the first woman, Eve, tasted the fruit from the tree of knowledge, not only of her lover, but also of all the creatures that crossed her path.
Only Phoenix, who was gifted with immortality for his indestructibility, could resist the temptation to taste the forbidden fruit. The creature lives quietly for one thousand years, and, at the end of the term, it burns in its dwelling and is reborn for another thousand years.
It is possible to meet one more legend about the origin of the amazing creature. It says that at the time of the Flood there was a bird on Noah's Ark that did not demand food from the people. Noah wondered why the creature starved himself, and he asked the feathered creature about it. And he got the answer that it did not want to bother the people for no reason, and that its requests made him feel uncomfortable. Noah was deeply touched and surprised by this answer. For this modesty, he asked God to grant the creature immortality.
In Christianity, the Phoenix is identified with eternity, infinity, immortality and resurrection. Many believe that the delightful creature is a symbol of Jesus Christ. Ancient Christians decorated tombstones with the image of the Phoenix, which meant the victory of life over death.
Are there any recommendations for a phoenix tattoo?
The first thing that a man should understand regarding the choice and application of a tattoo - it is always stressful for the body and risks. To avoid negative consequences, adhere to simple tips:
- Sketch - View the latest catalogs with phoenix tattoos, choose for yourself the best option, make author corrections and adjustments, so that the result was not a copy.
- Technique - Find out from the master by what technique he will apply the body drawing. Evaluate the quality of materials that the master uses, as well as the equipment.
- Anesthesia - Evaluate your pain threshold, pain tolerance, you may need anesthesia. But masters are not advised to resort to anesthesia, as it leads to swelling of the skin, which makes it not amenable.
- Measures before tattooing - The master should advise you on what not to do shortly before the procedure. Most often it concerns the intake of alcohol, medications, etc.
- State of health - The man must be healthy and in good spirits. Questions about allergic reactions are discussed in advance.
Expert opinion
Viola Madison
Master of Tattoo, 8 years experience
Before you start working with a master ask him for a photo album of his work. Photos will tell you about the master and his skill level much more than diplomas and reviews.
Chinese phoenix (Fenghuang)
In Chinese mythology, the Phoenix is a symbol of high virtue and grace, power and prosperity. It represents the union of yin and yang. It was believed to be a gentle creature, descending so gently that it crushed nothing but dewdrops.
The phoenix represented a power sent from heaven only to the empress.
If the Phoenix (image) was used to decorate a house, it symbolized that loyalty and honesty were in the people who lived there. Jewelry with the image of this bird showed that the owner was a person of high moral values, and therefore only a very important person could wear it.
The Chinese Phoenix is supposed to have had the beak of a rooster, the face of a swallow, the neck of a snake, the breast of a goose and the tail of a fish. His feathers were of five basic colors: black, white, red, green and yellow, and were said to represent Confucian virtues: fidelity, honesty, decency and justice.
Magical feathered creatures in China and Japan
Chinese myths tell the beautiful story of the Feng-huang bird. This creature was both female and male. Today in China, the fiery creature is identified with Onagadori chickens. These creatures have a luxuriously thick tail that exceeds 1 meter in length.
The beautiful creatures were brought to Japan in the first millennium AD. These birds have changed a lot. Their tail now reaches about 13 meters. Based on this fact, we can almost 100% confidently say that at least one magical individual has survived to this day.
What messages the tattoo hides
Over time, the popularity of fiery drawings with the heroine of the myths subsided, only to revive with renewed vigor after the release of the film epic about the adventures of Harry Potter. For modern fans of the tattoo, the secret meaning of the image is precisely in the cyclic nature of life and its uninterrupted rebirth.
Deeply symbolic body art is chosen by men and girls who support the theory of reincarnation, the immortality of the soul.
For modern tattoo lovers, the sketch of a bird in flight well manifests their desire for a free and vibrant life, freethinking. Fire tattoo is a business card of goal-oriented people, adherents of an active life position.
The Phoenix feather tattoo has the same meaning as applying the full image. There are many variations of sketches - with folded or unfolded wings, in the active phase of life or just reborn individual.
To decipher the secret message on the body, you should pay attention to the surroundings of the symbol of immortality. For example, a bird flying toward the sun can mean the aspiration of the soul to God, and the Phoenix surrounded by fire - the return to the origins of life.
In addition, the image can be considered a symbol of irrepressibility, hot temperament and zeal. The hidden meaning of the tattoo - its bearer proclaims himself a victor, worthy to come out of a difficult situation in life. Masters of tattooing claim that the meaning of the drawing does not change depending on the gender of the wearer.
Looking at the photos, you can see that colored and monochrome tattoos look equally admirable on both male and female bodies.
The traditional legend of the Phoenix bird
Only one Phoenix at a time could live in our world. His true home was Paradise, a land of unimaginable beauty lying beyond the distant horizon to the rising sun.
It was time to die. To do so, the fiery Phoenix bird had to fly into the world of mortals, flying west through the jungles of Burma and the hot plains of India, reaching the fragrant aromatic groves of Arabia. Here she gathered a pile of aromatic herbs before setting a course for the coast of Phoenicia in Syria. In the uppermost branches of the palm tree, the Phoenix built a nest of herbs and awaited the arrival of the new dawn that would herald its death.
As the sun rose over the horizon, Phoenix turned to face the east, opened his eyes to time, and sang such an enchanting song that even the sun god himself was restored to his chariot for a moment. As he listened to the sweet sounds, he set the horses in motion, and a spark from their hooves went down into the Phoenix's nest and made it burst into flames. Thus the millennial life of the Phoenix ended in fire. But in the ashes of the funeral pyre a tiny worm moved.
Three days later, the creature grew into an entirely new Phoenix bird, which then spread its wings and flew eastward toward the gates of Paradise with an entourage of birds. The Phoenix, risen from the ashes, represents the sun itself, which dies at the end of each day, but is reborn at the next dawn. Christianity has taken the legend of the bird, and the bestiary authors have equated it with Christ, who was executed but rose again.
Screenings of
The mystical bird is a frequent character in movies and cartoons. In 1952, viewers were shocked Lydia Vertinskaya, who played the role of magical creature from the fairy tale "Sadko. The role of the Phoenix was the debut for the unusual beauty.
Famke Janssen as Gina Gray
The image of the immortal bird is actively exploited in films based on comic books. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the name Phoenix went to the character of Jean Grey, a member of the X-Men. The role of the flammable girl was played by actress Famke Janssen.
The real helper Phoenix is introduced in the Harry Potter movie series. Fawkes lives in the principal's office at Hogwarts School and comes to the young wizard's aid during battles with enemies. The Phoenix first appears in the movie Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
The Phoenix in the Harry Potter film
Eli Finch from the TV series Supernatural has a strong influence and power. The phoenix kills with a single touch. The ash that remains from the creature after death can rid the world of the Mother of all monsters. The role of the male phoenix went to Matthew John Armstrong.
However, the bird is not always represented as a positive character. In the animated series "Winx Club - School for Wizards" the creature became the antagonist of the fairies, who had already defeated the magical creature 16 years ago.
In the "Grimm" series, the demon Firewhirl possesses the same set of abilities as the mystical bird. The villain commits arson and spontaneously combusts at will. The role of the unusual Phoenix was played by Gideon Emery.
Information about the existence of the amazing feathered creature in Slavic mythology
Two mighty feathered creatures can be found in Slavic fairy tales. These are Finist the Clear Falcon (who was actually a man) and the Firebird.
These two creatures have many similarities with the Phoenix. For example, the Firebird had the ability to lose its life during the cold season and return to it with the first warming.
The phoenix also hibernates during the cold season and wakes up again with the advent of warmth.
Places to apply
Various areas are suitable for the application of this tattoo. Here are a few recommendations that are given when choosing a place for tattoos in salons:
- The skin on the hands is characterized by sensitivity. Therefore, the sketch of the phoenix tattoo on the arm should be sustained in the style of minimalism: it will have to cover a large enough area, and so that the pain was not too strong, it is better to refuse a detailed drawing.
- In the area of the wrists and ankles, the skin is constantly shifting because of the movement in the joint. Here a small black and white drawing will do. An interesting option is an image inscribed in a circle.
- On the back do a large tattoo or collect several small pictures in a single composition. A small picture here will look out of place.
- On the hips and abdomen tattoos are often made by girls seeking to emphasize sexuality and beauty. If it is planned to hide behind a beautiful drawing stretch marks on the skin or scars, it is better to choose dense images in a multicolor technique.
An experienced master is able to choose the perfect sketch for any area.
On what part of the body would you like to get a tattoo?
From the Egyptian Book of the Dead.
What is the significance of the Phoenix bird in mythology? Generation after generation, the Phoenix creates itself. It is never easy. It waited for the long nights, lost in itself, gazing at the stars. The bird fights against darkness, against his own ignorance, against his resistance to change, against his sentimental love of his own stupidity.
Perfection is a difficult task. The phoenix loses and finds its way again. One task to be performed gives rise to others. There is no end to the work to be done. It is a harsh eternity. There is no end to becoming. The firebird lives forever, striving for perfection. It praises the moment it dies in the fire, when the veils of illusion burn with it. The phoenix sees how much we strive for Truth. She is the fire that burns in people who know the truth.
A mystical bird from Ethiopia
Another world myth mentions a creature that came from Ethiopia and got its name from the Assyrians. In the Ethiopian version, the magical bird had a rather strange appearance: it had a fish tail, a cock beak, a crane forehead, a throat like a swallow, a turtle back, and a duck head.
The magical creature was simultaneously scarlet, gold, blue, black, and white. Each color had its own special meaning. The Assyrians associated the immortal creature with warmth, wealth, fire, and a good harvest. It fed on bamboo seeds.
Examples of phoenix tattoos that are not recommended. Their meaning in the criminal world
Many people believe that a tattoo with a phoenix is always a positive and positive meaning. Even in prison circles such tattoos are respected. But by no means always the reaction to such tattoos can be unambiguous, especially if it is:
phoenix on fire - a symbol of self-injury, burning in the flames, the fall of the soul;
red phoenix - A tattoo that speaks of a person's self-immolation;
multi-colored phoenix - in the zone such a tattoo can be interpreted as a drawing of a rooster, than in the zone they mark downed people;
phoenix and skull - dissonance between the symbol of life and the symbol of death, between good, spirituality and dark forces.
But in ordinary life, the attitude toward phoenix tattoos is always respectful and positive.
The role of the phoenix in various ancient judgments
According to Greek views, the phoenix is a symbol of renewed life.
The Romans believed that this bird showed that the Roman Empire was of divine origin and should exist forever.
For Christians, the phoenix means eternal life, symbolizing Christ.
The alchemists regarded the phoenix as completing the making of the philosopher's stone. But they never got to that point.
The Phoenix bird in ancient Greek and Roman myths
The oldest information proving whether phoenixes actually exist is found in the writings of Herodotus as early as the 5th century B.C. It says that the magical creature was born in Arabia. It lives with its parents for exactly five hundred years, until its loved ones meet death. After that, the feathered creature travels with the bodies of his parents to the city of Geopolis, to the Temple of his creator the Sun God, where he buries them.
This legend is slightly different from the ancient Egyptian one, but they have something in common: neither one says that the Phoenix bird rose from the ashes. If we look at the works of later ancient Greek thinkers, on the contrary, we can trace in all of them one common feature, which is endowed with an incredible creature. It was said that the creature is capable of both self-destruction and rebirth from its own ashes.
If we talk about the age and years of life of the mythical feathered creature, for example, in the works of Manilius we can find the following data: the bird lives on Earth the Great Platonic year (astronomical concept - the time during which the five planets, the Sun and the Moon return to their places).
The inhabitants of ancient Rome believed that a mystical being was in real life and served the emperor. The Phoenix bird, rising from the ashes, symbolizes such qualities as power, authority, strength and immortality. Despite all its power, the mystical bird never managed to save the greatest empire from collapse.
The Meaning of the Phoenix Bird in Ancient Egypt
Picture of the Benu Bird
If we talk about the mythology of the Egyptians, it is very difficult to understand what triggered the creation of the legend of the Phoenix.
There is an opinion that originally it was an astronomical symbol, which was identified with the spiral ascent of the star Sirius. In ancient times it was a sign that the Nile was flooding, which in turn heralded the arrival of the coming harvest.
The Egyptian mythical bird was called Benhu. It is believed that with this mythical creature associated with the legend of the gray heron, which was the very first living creature that appeared on the created earth. This heron was sent by the sun deity.
In Heliopolis, this creature was treated with special reverence. The Egyptians in that city believed that the age of the bird was not eternal, but limited to five hundred years.
Preparing the phoenix for the next cycle
After resurrection, the phoenix would create a special egg. After that, he would go to collect myrrh, the best that exists on earth. Upon his return, the phoenix made a hole in the egg with his beak, placed the remains of his former body there, and sealed the hole with myrrh. This egg was given to the servants of Heliopolis for safekeeping. It was believed that they were kept in the temple of Ra. After that, the phoenix would finally fly away to its usual habitat (heaven, space or other destinations).
Some legends in general say that the phoenix was a cosmic bird. This is quite consistent with the Egyptian version of the bird's origin, for the phoenix sprang from nothing and created everything. The Egyptians believed that the phoenix flew far beyond the solar system, to distant systems, which were also partly considered his home.
The phoenix is a solar symbol
The phoenix is a mythical bird with orange-red, golden or fiery plumage that, in most myths and legends, has the ability to die in flames and be reborn from the ashes.
The phoenix lives its life cyclically and in this symbolism ascends to the sun. The phoenix's ability to burn and be reborn for life has for centuries been associated by humans with the path the sun takes every day, rising in the morning in the east and leaving the sky at night in the west. Embodying the sun, the phoenix is a very important symbol, because the sun has always played a great role in the life of all living things, as well as in the origin of civilizations and their development.
Phoenix has a fiery nature and is directly related to the element of fire. Fire, in turn, like the sun, warmed people, and in principle changed the life of mankind by simplifying many processes, such as heating homes, cooking, and the processing of hot food by the human body. This change in life processes due to the mastery of fire freed up human time and energy for further development and progress.
Therefore, being endowed with solar and fire symbolism, the phoenix can also be considered a symbol of constant development, which occurs cyclically in a spiral, taking into account previous experiences.
The phoenix is the symbol of a constant cyclic development
Where is the best place to get a tattoo?
The place where you can get a tattoo of any format and level of complexity is a specialized tattoo parlor that has a license and permit to operate. Only in such a place you can find a qualified and experienced master, the best equipment, high-quality paints.
If to address to untested masters or do tattoos at home, the following risks are possible:
- poor-quality results;
- infection;
- skin injuries;
- Unjustified expenses;
- The absence of any guarantees from the master.
Saving money for tattooing services is an unwarranted and dangerous decision, since the tattoo is done for life.
Other symbolism of the phoenix
In the Christian world, the phoenix symbolizes Christ, who died on the cross and rose again. It is a symbol of the triumph of life over death.
In China, the phoenix is called Feng-huan and is one of the four beneficent animals, which also include the unicorn, tortoise and dragon. Here, the phoenix is the bearer of both male yang and female yin energy. In the female hypostasis, the phoenix is a symbol of peace, beauty and subtlety of the senses. Pictured alongside the dragon, the phoenix symbolizes the dragon's wife - the Empress. Together they point to the interaction and relationship between male and female principles that maintain the balance of the universe. The Chinese phoenix is a symbol of prosperity, good governance and wisdom.
The phoenix and the dragon. Chinese painting
In Japan, the symbolism of the phoenix includes such qualities as rectitude, justice, loyalty and obedience.
In the Slavic tradition, the analogues of the phoenix are the Firebird and Finist the Clear Falcon. Their symbolism, similar to the phoenix can be traced in the fact that the Firebird dies with the onset of frost and rises to life when spring arrives, Finist simply falls asleep and wakes up in spring, when a tear falls on him and dispels the spell of the beloved witch.
In this case, the overseas Firebird for the Slavs is a symbol of achieving the goal, which brings immortality, thanks to the deed of the person, which will long be remembered. Here it may refer to an act for the benefit of the world, and the desire to become famous.
Falcon for the Slavs is an important symbol and mainly symbolizes the spirit, light, a strong desire and superiority, and represents the warrior, usually young, a hero and a hero. Finist the bright falcon is the image of the beloved, the groom, for which a woman is ready to go to the edge of the world.
The Slavs have the symbolism of the phoenix in Finist the Clear Falcon and the Firebird. A still from the film "Finist the Bright Falcon", 1975.
Both the Firebird and the Finist the Clear Falcon are symbols indicating that all his courage will be required to achieve the goal and follow the call of the soul on this path, and that as a result of the tests he will somehow be spiritually reborn, no longer the same person. And in this, too, you can see the similarity with the phoenix as a symbol of learning, rebirth and development of the human soul.
On what places do men apply tattoos with a phoenix?
The place for the tattoo is not only an aesthetic, but also a sacred criterion that affects the detailed interpretation of the tattoo. The phoenix is a beautiful and three-dimensional picture, which is printed more often on the back, chest, shoulders and forearms.
Shoulder
The phoenix on the shoulder is a helper for the man, supporting him in difficult life situations. The tattoo is needed to make a man reliable, stable, able to protect his family.
Forearm
On the hands, the bird looks spectacular and always remains in the attention of the environment. That means the phoenix on the forearm is a way of self-expression, a demonstration of strength, inner energy, masculinity.
Tattoo on the wrist
Original on the wrist will look a small neat drawing of a phoenix or a bird in the form of a symbol. Most often, such a tattoo serves as a talisman from the dark forces, ill-wishers, bad luck.
Tattoos on the palm, on the hands and fingers
The palm of the hand is a special place, where most often the phoenix is beaten to protect against difficulties and evil. On the fingers of the hand, the phoenix will become a talisman to help you do the right thing. Hands are what a man influences the world with, the phoenix on the hand will help to achieve goals.
Sleeve Tattoo
The sleeve is a tattoo that covers the entire space on a man's arms. The phoenix in this case is a symbol of a man's desire for independence, freedom, spirituality. Also tattoos on the arms are a demonstration of strong character traits.
Neck .
As is known, where the neck turns, there will look and the head. That means a tattoo on the neck can affect the mind and thinking. A phoenix on the neck can help renew and cleanse the body and mind of evil and negativity.
Chest
If a man often faces danger, a phoenix can be stuffed on his chest as a talisman. It is believed that the larger the drawing, the more sacred meaning it implies.
Side
The phoenix on the side is a symbol of protection of one's interests, awareness of the fickleness of the world and the man's stability in such conditions. The man thereby shows that nothing, no difficulties in life will break him.
Thigh
The phoenix on the thighs is more often made by girls, but among men too there are such body drawings. They signify the love of life, intelligence and wisdom, a heart burning with passion and feelings, a man's desire to create a family and give birth to offspring.
Back
An adult male gets a phoenix tattoo on his back to transform his thinking and future. The bird will help to zero in, reborn, and take a fresh look at his life and values.
Scapula
The area between the shoulder blades accumulates the energy of the male ego and ambition. Tattoo a phoenix on the scapula will help to properly prioritize, get rid of the influence of the past.
Foot
Feet are responsible for the desire to move forward and conquer new heights. Phoenix, depicted on the feet, will be an assistant in the search for the right path in life. He will protect from evil, bad thoughts, wrong decisions.
