Phoenix: meaning in psychology and mythology

George Alvarez 22-10-2023
George Alvarez

The flaming firebird has become one of the greatest myths in history, crossing cultures and borders. phoenix In mythology it represents an ultimate ideal at the existential apex of various peoples. So, let's learn more about what the phoenix means? Also understand how it has resigned the way of seeing the idea of life.

Phoenix Myth

First of all, in Greek mythology, the phoenix is a fire bird that when it died caught fire. After she dies, she is reborn from her own ashes, so she could live for eternity, crossing generations. Her unique beauty and strength are also remarkable features. In addition, Hesiod, the Greek poet, argued that she would have a very long life, something debatable among historical accounts.

As it turns out, it was based on bennu a bird from extinct Egyptian mythology that resembled a gray heron. bennu After his cycle, he would fly to Heliopolis to land on the pyre of the god Ra, and then set fire to his nest, consuming himself, but later he would be reborn from his own ashes.

Both the phoenix and bennu The end of life would be at the altar of the sun while the new bird would see the world for hundreds of years.

The Figure of the Phoenix in Ancient Egypt

The Greek story connects with the Egyptian one and changes lightly at several points. Understanding what the phoenix is shows that its conscious sacrifice at the end of life is almost like a suicide.Nevertheless, the little bird had enough strength to deal with death and return from it radiant .

However, the Egyptian myth differed little from the Greek. The Egyptian story added cultural elements proper to its context. The flaming bird would be one of the pieces of the god Ra and the sun itself in life.

In fact, one of the most symbolic versions says that it represented the sun. Its birth occurred every morning and its death at the end of the day. Its rebirth always occurred the next day. After this transformation, the phoenix continued its journey until the end of time. Given its natural beauty, the Russians indicated that it was constantly burning. Therefore, many representations hadtheir feathers in the colors of fire.

Symbolism

In searching to know who the phoenix was, we come across its symbolism about immortality. The bird walked freely through the cycle of life and death. Its myth deals with rebirth and even passage to another world. Therefore, its representation refers to persistence in starting over, to transformation, and to hope. The phoenix always conquers death.

Going further, this figure was well known for its impressive strength, even though it was relatively small. The weight it could support far exceeded human logic, so there are cultural reports that this creature could carry an elephant, even though it was much smaller than the elephant.

Even with much research done, the theses on the myth are not so conclusive. This eventually opened the door for the myth to leave Egypt and settle in other cultures. In this way, the different perspectives directly reflect the way of life of each civilization.

Features of the phoenix

In mythology, the phoenix has become a unique object thanks to the characteristics in its existential ensemble. Note that no other figure can match this already widespread narrative around the world. As such, the bird is well known for:

Majestic Feathers

His feathers that would be bright, in shades of red and slightly purple, golden and very bright As stated above, the Russians believed that it was constantly burning, even alive and unhurt. It is believed that perhaps in the sunlight, the unique glow directly referred to the fire in its feathers.

However, there are studies in mythology portraying that the bird could catch fire whenever it wished.

Go to

Once again we point out its small size, perhaps smaller than that of a heron. However, the phoenix, according to legends, could carry elephants without much effort. Interpreting this meaning, this would refer to someone who has enough strength to face all their difficulties.

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Longevity

There is some confusion about how long an incarnation of this bird could last. According to writings from Greece, it could easily reach 500 years of life. However, others claimed that she could live for more than 97,000 years .

Corner

While it is soft and sweet, its song carries sadness and melancholy when it is close to dying. According to writings, its sadness could be so great that the bird would influence other animals to die. On the other hand, the ashes could even resurrect someone who had already passed away.

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Cultural representation of the phoenix

To this day the phoenix and its existence have great significance among all peoples of the world. In fact, the bird is present in the cultural baggage of many countries. So that The characteristics of different societies were absorbed in the representation of this mythological figure.

It is an example of how we can transcend challenging situations and come back more powerful than ever. As such, it refers to the renewal to have a new life and enjoy its pleasures for a longer time.

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Its symbolism also refers to vitality and youth. Moreover, its incredible strength is associated with the attitudes of dealing with and reversing very difficult events. Because of this, many people adopt this mystical being as part of their life perspectives.

Media

Given the richness of the story, the phoenix ended up being treated in the media as a symbol of what is ultimate and powerful. We often see the animal as a reference to what is the pinnacle of growth, power and existence In this sense, one of the greatest examples is the character Jean Grey, heroine of the mutant group X-Men.

On a mission in space, Jean and the team manage to return to Earth. However, the ship was badly damaged. Since she is able to create psychic force fields, she volunteered for the mission to pilot it. Even though she is powerful, the pressure was too much and she was incinerated by solar radiation.

As a telepath, a distress call wandered through space while she was falling and was answered by the Phoenix Force. The cosmic entity saved her life and the lives of the crew members. Subsequently, Jean was also transformed into a goddess. She rose from the sea into which her ship had fallen and proclaimed herself as the Phoenix. Since then, she has become one of the most powerful heroines in the comic book universe.

Curiosities

Now that you know more about phoenix, its spiritual significance and impact on culture, here are some trivia:

  • The bird bennu was related to the star sótis A five-pointed flaming star;
  • All over the planet, regardless of culture, the meaning remains the same: immortality;
  • For the Greeks, the bird was connected to the god Hermes, and there are references to this in several temples;
  • In the Christian era, the bird came to symbolize Christ;
  • In the San Jose mine accident in 2010, the capsule to save the 33 trapped miners was named the "Phoenix";
  • In China, the phoenix is seen as a beautiful bird linked to happiness, freedom, strength, and intelligence. The feathers come in the colors gold, red, purple, white, and blue;
  • On the flag of San Francisco and Atlanta there is a phoenix, which represents renewal.

Final remarks about the phoenix

Just like its immortal life, the phoenix continues to preserve its power of rebirth through time Imagine having the strength to work through your difficulties and renew yourself. Finally, all the characteristics discussed here clearly show what the phoenix means and the power of its symbolism.

This includes a cultural legacy that has revitalized the myth surrounding this creature. Today, more than ever, we have a symbol of vitality to look up to, to live our best selves. In one analysis, this small but great bird is our ultimate state of existence and power.

So, in order for you to be reborn into your own life, enroll in our 100% online Psychoanalysis course. With our classes, you can revitalize your perspective and equip yourself with both self-knowledge and the ability to achieve goals. Like a phoenix, you will be reborn into yourself, finding your growth potential to achieve everything you ever wanted Don't miss this opportunity!

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George Alvarez

George Alvarez is a renowned psychoanalyst who has been practicing for over 20 years and is highly regarded in the field. He is a sought-after speaker and has conducted numerous workshops and training programs on psychoanalysis for professionals in the mental health industry. George is also an accomplished writer and has authored several books on psychoanalysis that have received critical acclaim. George Alvarez is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with others and has created a popular blog on Online Training Course in Psychoanalysis that is widely followed by mental health professionals and students around the world. His blog provides a comprehensive training course that covers all aspects of psychoanalysis, from theory to practical applications. George is passionate about helping others and is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of his clients and students.