Saturday, June 22, 2013

Phoenix, Feng Huang, Firebird - same or different?

These three mythical birds often get confused - Phoenix, Feng Huang (also known as the Chinese Phoenix), and the Firebird. Why is that? Maybe they are really all the same creature just coming from different cultures?  Certainly the Phoenix is known in western cultures, the Feng Huang is from China, and the Firebird is Russian.

So let's figure out if they're really the same.

Phoenix Rising

Phoenix

First, what is similar about them? Well, the Phoenix is considered immortal as is the Feng Huang, so that's a good similarity!

But wait, the Phoenix lives eternally by going through a process of birth, death through burning in a fire, to rebirth as it emerges anew from the fire with a new body all young again. Sounds good doesn't it. And, it sounds kind of like a "Firebird" (and see the picture of the Phoenix Rising all aflame, definitely looks like a Firebird!)

So the Phoenix seems to be similar to both the other two, although in different aspects.

Prince Ivan and the Firebird

Firebird

So now, let's take a look at the Firebird. It's not on fire! What it does have is these amazing tail feathers that glow. In the image they look bright but not as colorful as I've heard tell they can be - yellow, orange, red, the colors of fire.

These tail feathers are incredible, they don't stop glowing when detached from the bird! In the painting you can see Prince Ivan pulling a feather from the bird. That feather is bright enough to light up a whole room at night. That's impressive!

However, the Firebird isn't always a blessing on the one who captures it, or even just steals a feather. Such a person, often the Russian Prince Ivan since the Firebird is known in Russia, has to go on a quest where he faces many dangers and misfortunes. So a Firebird isn't all good fortune. As far as I know a Phoenix is all good news and, looking ahead, the Feng Huang is an omen of good fortune too. So it looks like this Russian version has some differences.

Feng Huang, The Chinese Phoenix

Feng Huang

Meanwhile, what about the Feng Huang or Chinese Phoenix. Is that the same as the Phoenix? Indeed they are both immortal, but the Feng Huang just never dies (or at least no-one ever sees it die). It's just the most beautiful bird with the sweetest song that is said to contain the five notes of the Chinese musical scale. Certainly the painting looks like a beautiful bird!

But that's not all. The Feng Huang lives far away from people, only appearing when an emperor is born who will bring an age of peace and prosperity. In fact, the Feng Huang is considered the emperor of all the birds. Together with the dragon, the Feng Huang symbolizes harmony and happy marriage. Very wonderful, and immortal too.

However, this really doesn't sound much like the Phoenix I know, the one that dies and gets reborn, an inspiring symbol of Christ. Also known for healing people with its tears (like Harry Potter!) No, I think the Chinese Phoenix is not the same as the Phoenix.

Conclusion

So, here's my conclusion - they're three different mythical birds! Yes, there are some similarities, which is kind of interesting. But they are not the same. Which is great, I think, because it means there are three mythical birds to enchant us. Perhaps they can even all meet some day!

If you want to know more about each of these fantastic creatures, check them out here:

Welcome!

This is where I get to write about all those fantastic legendary creatures, also known as mythical or mythological creatures, even imaginary creatures. That's so exciting! There are just so many kinds, and they all have such amazing stories, not to mention fascinating shapes and forms and abilities. They really reflect great imagination and creativity! 

I know some people are skeptical, and just reject all these legendary creatures as just that, imaginary, made up through the ages by story tellers usually with some ulterior motive like "encouraging" children to be good. And then there are the artists who put their imagination into visual form, creating chimeras of various beasts to produce new, maybe improved, versions like a flying horse, the pegasus, or intriguing and beautiful sphinxes, or the half-human half-horse centaur. Yes, you can be skeptical that any of these amazing creatures are or ever have been "real" in having a physical existience. But, to rule them out as nonexistent and just "fairytales" seems to be missing the point, losing sight of their purpose, and maybe denying the existence of very real creatures.

Some mythical creatures like mermaids and unicorns seem to transcend  cultures, appearing in narratives around the world, while others like the Irish Leprechaun and the Yeti of the Himalayas and Nessie from Loch Ness are specific to a particular location and culture. While scientists or cryptozoologists search high and low for evidence of such creatures, it is often the casual passer-by or the humble local person who has the encounter. Are these people "special," chosen in some way, lucky, or just foolish?

Whatever the answers, and there may be different ones for different mythical creatures, I'm excited to go on a journey to find out more about them. Feel free to join me!