THE STORY OF THE PHOENIX

The Phoenix
A sacred bird of Egyptian religion (c 2680 bc), the Phoenix represented the sun and was closely associated with the ancient Egyptian sun gods who rose from the underworld each morning.

Half eagle and half pheasant, its feathers shimmered with the golden colours of fire. So gentle was the Phoenix that it fed only on dew, and was believed to have lived for many centuries.

At the end of its long life the Phoenix flew to Arabia to gather spices, frankincense, cinnamon and myrrh with which to build its funeral pyre.

The Phoenix carried the spices to the Great Hall of Heliopolis in Egypt, the ancient sanctuary of the powerful sun gods. There, in a sacred tree, the Phoenix constructed its fragrant nest and, at the approach of dawn, as its song carried far out over the desert, the nest burst into flames, immolating the bird.

When three nights had passed, the Phoenix rose from its ashes in the dawn sunlight, more glorious than before.