Illustration Friday - Phoenix

9x12 - oil pastels, colored pencils, watercolor, charcoal

I have always been intrigued by the story of the Phoenix, a mythical bird that never dies, representative of death and rebirth, and tears that could heal. I had a general idea of the story but I had no idea of the many versions and variations of the myth that surrounds this legendary bird!

After some research, I found out that as early as 500 B.C., people believed in it. It is said that near the end of its life, the Phoenix would build a funeral pyre for itself. As it began to die, it would lay down in the wood which would burst into flames after its' death. A new Phoenix would rise up out of the ashes of the funeral pyre and live on for another 500 years (or more). Only one Phoenix was said to live at a time.

Some of the many cultural beliefs:
- it was thought to be the size of an eagle (classic Arabian Phoenix), a peacock (Chinese - named the Feng) or a heron (Egyptian - named the Bennu)
- many people think it was a bird in flames, while others thought it was a bird of shining colors
- Ancient Greeks thought it lived in Arabia, near a well
- Egyptians depicted it as a bird of brilliant shades of red, making it look like itwas wrapped in fire
- Chinese mythology depicted it as a symbol of grace, prosperity and power, a gentle creature that would eat only dewdrops

I hope you enjoyed this short read - this topic was great, interesting to research and fun to create my interpretation of it.

Wishing everyone a Phoenix-like spirit in 2007: bright, inspiring & enduring!