Even though it is a figure belonging to Persian mythology, the phoenix, which we often see itself or similar to in the stories of the surrounding geographies, has many different meanings, but it is a symbol of rebirth in general. Let’s take a closer look at the phoenix legend and look for the answer to the question of what it represents through the stories told.
Since humanity is a creature that is dissatisfied with the things that have existed since its existence, it has created countless stories on theories of life after death or rebirth. These stories have become the mythology of that society over time. which is one of them The number one hero of rebirth stories in Persian mythology became a phoenix.
Although the Phoenix, also known as the Simurg, is a figure from Persian mythology, it has found a place for itself or a similar figure in the stories of many societies living in the surrounding geographies, including the Turks. It is frequently seen in works of art because it symbolizes wisdom as well as rebirth. what does the phoenix represent Let’s take a closer look and see the stories that created this legend.
For those who never knew, what is a phoenix?
The phoenix, also known as the simurg and the zümrüdüanka, is one of the legendary characters of Persian mythology. Phoenix bird with different names such as Sênmurw, Sîna-Mrû and the Huma bird in Turkish mythology and the Phenix in Egyptian mythology. Not only in Persian mythology with the Phoenix; It is possible to encounter it in Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Eastern Roman literature and other works of art.
What do phoenix features look like?
The phoenix, which has been depicted in many different ways throughout history, is the most winged bird in Iranian art. It is shown as a giant bird-shaped creature. There are also versions that it has a dog head or lion’s paws. Sometimes depicted as a peacock, the phoenix is rarely shown with a human face. In some versions, the phoenix is a mammal and nurses its young. Its wings are often depicted in copper color.
Let’s come to the legend of the phoenix:
The phoenix lives in a wetland located within the Iranian border today. The simurg, who is also said to have lived on Mount Kaf in some stories, Although he is a benevolent character, he is hostile to snakes. According to a story, it burned after living for 1700 years. In another story, he is immortal and lives in a nest he has built in the Tree of Knowledge. In a more widely known story, the phoenix lived so long that it was reborn from its ashes over and over again that it witnessed the destruction of the world three times. Thanks to this long life, the phoenix has the knowledge of all time.
According to Sassanid Persians, the phoenix brings fertility to the earth. He lives in a tree of life called Gaokerena and it cures everything demonic thanks to the sacred haoma plant. In the following period, the phoenix became a much more divine figure, being referred to as Persian Homa and Arabic Rukh.
It is said that when the phoenix begins to fly, the seeds of all plants are shed and These seeds are dispersed all over the world and turn into new plants. So much so that there is a cure for all diseases of humanity in these plants. In some stories, the phoenix, which is described as having much more divine powers, is said to cure all kinds of diseases with a touch of its wings.
Phoenix story in Shahnameh:
Written by Firdevsî, who is considered one of the most important poets of Persian literature. In the work called Şehnâme, which consists of 60 thousand couplets, Phoenix bird is one of the most mentioned figures.
In Shahnameh, King Sam had an albino son named Zal. They leave the baby on a mountain because they think it came from the devil. Seeing the baby, the phoenix takes it and raises it with love. Zal says she wants to go back among people when she grows up. Phoenix gives a feather, tells him to burn this feather when he needs it, and sends him off.
When Zal returns among the people, he falls in love and marries a woman named Rudaba. While Rudaba is about to give birth, Zal, realizing that his wife will die, burns the feather and summons the phoenix. The phoenix immediately appears, He saves both the mother and the baby by using a method such as a cesarean section. This baby, named Rustam, will be one of the most important heroes of Persian mythology.
Although the phoenix is a product of pre-Islamic culture, it is possible to encounter it in some works written in the Islamic period. For example In the work called Mantıku’t-Tayr written by Iranian poet Ferid ud-Din Attar It tells the story of a flock of birds in search of the legendary phoenix.
What is the meaning of the phoenix, what does it represent?
Those who want to give a mystical meaning to the phoenix say that it is a symbol of self-seeking. Its main feature is immortality. Like the bird figure in many different mythologies, the phoenix becomes fire, burns, and is reborn on its own when it dies or for some reason.
The most notable phoenix meanings are a kind of spiritual enlightenment and even reincarnation. The reason why it is associated with reincarnation; In another narrative, it is burning down to hell, being purified and reborn in a pure state.
All ok, but why does the phoenix rise from the ashes?
According to many pagan beliefs or cultural transmissions, fire is one of the greatest purifiers. The easiest way to clean up a mess is to destroy it by burning it. Fire is also considered one of the most important forces of nature. In fact, there are many ancient beliefs that worship fire for this reason.
But the power of fire binds ordinary creatures. Because living things burn, die, disappear. But the phoenix is not like that. Even if the phoenix is burned, it will respawn. Moreover, when he is reborn, he is born pure, free from old dirt, that is, sins. This is man’s biggest dream.
When we look at the religious teachings in general, they talk about repenting from your old life and entering a new path. This state of being called a kind of enlightenment or rebirth. It tells the best of the phoenix being ashes and being reborn. There is also the power dimension of the event. Look, you burned me to ashes, but I’m so strong that I didn’t give up, it’s like saying I was born again.
It has a place in many different cultures, albeit with different names, especially in Persian mythology. what does the phoenix story represent We talked about this interesting legendary character by answering the question. What did the poet say? ‘If I do not burn, if you do not burn, if we do not burn, how can the darkness come to the light?’