Phoenix Tattoo

Phoenix Tattoo

A Phoenix tattoo has a huge appeal across the world for obvious reasons. Its aesthetic appeal as well as its deep rooted symbology warrants it as being one of the most popular of tattoos in the ancient mythology category. The phoenix, Hou-ou, Fèng Huáng or the Benu is that enormous fire bird that has been well documented in civilizations and cultures around the world from ancient Egyptian times, in Christianity, through to Chinese, Japanese and Greek mythology. It symbolizes different things in different cultures.

It was said that only one phoenix exited at any one time and had a life span of 500-1000 years. When the phoenix is about to die, it builds a nest for itself which is made from aromatic twigs, and ancient spices such as myrrh. It then sets itself on fire and is engulfed in the flames. After three days it is born again and rises amidst the flames to grace the skies once again and begin a new cycle of life.

The Egyptian Phoenix Tattoo (Benu) - The God Of Time And The Soul Of Ra

The Egyptians linked the myth of the phoenix or Benu with the longings for immortality that was very important in that civilization. The Benu was a representation of the soul of the sun god, Ra and it was a symbol for the rising and setting of the sun. It is a long held belief that the Benu’s cry when the world was being created that marked the beginning of time, hence the Benu is the god of time and its divisions- hours, day, weeks and years.

The Chinese Phoenix Tattoo (Fèng Huáng) - The Empresses’ Emblem

In ancient China, the only person that was worthy of wearing the symbol of the phoenix was the Empress. For the Chinese, the phoenix was a enchanted bird of great mysterious and magical powers. It was ultimate symbol of feminine energy and a representation of high virtue, grace and fidelity. It was one of the most revered of creatures in ancient Chinese mythology.

The Japanese Phoenix Tattoo (Ho-o) - A Symbol Of Prosperous Times

Phoenix Tattoo

According to legend, the Hō-ō appears very occasionally, and only to signify the start of a new era – for instance for the birth of a virtuous ruler. The Hō-ō makes itself known only in peaceful and prosperous times. The Hō-ō is known to descend from heaven to earth to do good deeds, and then it returns to its celestial abode to await a new era. It is both a symbol of peace (when the bird appears) and a symbol of disharmony (when the bird disappears)

So your phoenix tattoo has a magnitude of meanings. Wealth, peace, power, respect and a willingness to go through the fire, in order to emerge once again. Now aesthetically the phoenix is Greek and Egyptian mythology is slightly less elaborate than the Chinese and Japanese phoenix, but all have similar colors. Overall the look is the same, details like specific body parts are different

Although the phoenix in each culture represents the phoenix in a different way aesthetically many people choose not to be too specific and would rather have a tattoo that encompasses all the qualities that this bird has in all the cultures it is represented, rather than limiting it to one cultures symbolism.

The phoenix tattoo and sacrifice

‘The phoenix must burn to emerge’ This is quote by the well known author Janet Fitch. It says a lot about what is hardly said. Yes predominately the phoenix is all about rising from the ashes, and represents new beginnings, and starting afresh. But in order to rise again, in order for it to merit an association with Jesus Chirst (in that Christ was also reborn) it had to burn first! Just like the black carbon that needs to go through immense environmental pressure before it can form into a diamond, the phoenix has to set itself alight to make way for the repetition of life. So a phoenix tattoo for me not only is about overcoming obstacles and emerging victorious, but also about the hardship and pain that one must go through to attain anything worthy in life. And if one does not go through that, whatever is achieved will not be valued and hey what’s the point of anything that lacks value? So rather than fearing the troubles or hardships that come our way, we should embrace them and see them as a chance to grow as individuals and know that we will become stronger, wiser and more smarter at the end of it.