Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; and so ends the existence of the human being. The soul is the only portion of us that is freed from our demise to continue in perpetuity. The great bird of fire, the Phoenix, takes what would be the physical end and transforms it into a rebirth of the soul as well as the form.
There are many beliefs as to the origination of the mythological bird; they range from the sensible to the extraordinary. One such contention holds that the legend stems from everyday remarks in regards to the behavior of, strange as it may sound, ravens and crows. Among their peculiar traits, these birds have been seen practicing a strange behavior referred to as "Anting". They will roost upon an anthill or source of food that ants are consuming, and they will spread their wings low to the ground. It is believed that this is done so that the ants will roam over their bodies, freeing them from troublesome mites while at the same time giving them a crude massage. This practice is repeated over the dying embers of a fire. The birds have been witnessed assuming the same posture over a dying fire, thought of as an act of receiving warmth as well as deterring the progression of mites on their skin that can not take the intense heat. If the birds become startled or decide to take flight, the fanning of their wings on the embers can revive the fire. This is the closest real-world explanation of the Phoenix myth.
The tale of the Phoenix can be traced to its earliest invention in ancient Egypt, but all following adaptations take the same general theme. The cycle of the death and rebirth .
Page 2.
of the firebird represents the cycles of rest and activity and the eternal struggle of the earth to regenerate and renew itself. The encroachment of nature on all manmade monuments and dwellings is an example that ancients would use to signify the cycle of the earth. .
The Phoenix legend led to many early beliefs and practices.
