Immortality, vision, always seeing things beyond our lifetime, that is the Phoenix. The Phoenix is a mythical bird of tranquility and peace. It never dies; it always flies, staying well ahead, always looking.
Many cultures have this Phoenix although in different forms and appearances. The Egyptians called theirs Bennu. The remains of a huge heron dated over 5,000 years ago were found in the Persian Gulf. Perhaps they saw this bird on occasion and the rarity of it led them to believe it was Bennu.
The Bennu was there at creation of the Nile and represents the god of time, hours, day, night, weeks, and years. It was considered the soul of the sun god, controlling the rising and setting of the sun. It was also believed that it resurrected life and death.
The Arabian Phoenix was more colorful than Bennu, and as big as an Eagle. It was said that every morning it would sing. The sun god Apollo would always stop just to listen to its beautiful melody.
Only one Phoenix lived at a time. Life span could be from 500 to 5000 years, maybe longer. When death approached the Phoenix built a nest of spices and branches then setting it on fire. And with it the Phoenix. Three days later the Phoenix arises from the ashes. A rebirth , new life, the Rise of the Phoenix.
The new Phoenix takes the ashes of the old placing them into an egg of myrrh and places them on the alter of the sun god
So how does the Phoenix survive? It kills nothing, it crushes nothing, so what does it eat? The dew from the round gives substance to the Phoenix.
Feng Huang is the Chinese equivalent. To them it symbolizes virtue, grace, power and prosperity. To decorate a house with the symbol of a Phoenix meant the owners were honest people.
It was often shown with its wins spread capturing snakes with its talons. To me this is a confusing point. It is said not to harm , kill or crush, yet it is shown catching snakes.
It was said to carry two scrolls in its bill, and emblems of the Phoenix decorate houses, tombs, and even jewelry.
Ho-Oo is the Japanese Phoenix. Legend has it that it only appears in peaceful and prosperous times, or at the birth of a virtuous ruler. Ho represents the male bird and Oo is the female. This Phoenix represents, sun, justice, fidelity, and obedience.
In all these cultures the Phoenix have several things in common. Sun, virtue, honesty, and its gentleness. The only difference is its appearance.