Mythology Monday #1
Patrick Maholmes and the Order of the Phoenix
Mythology Monday coming out on a [thursday?]. Who cares? As Chief of this publication, I see fit to bring to your attention the suppressed and sometimes intentionally hidden information about the events in our world that otherwise would just get lost in the sauce. “What does this have to do with Tech?” That is literally for you to decide.
This week’s installment is dedicated to the sundresses and bass pro shops hats of the Waste Management Open. Just kidding, it’s dedicated to those that wear a jersey with another man’s name on the back. [Lol]. I’m talking Super Bowl 69. (Crazier than the year before, if you can believe that). I now introduce to you one of my good lads, a “true kinsman of the Western Sun” & Comparative Mythology Chieftan (Columbia ‘16), Heliodromus. Mic’s yours, brah.
-JJ
“Charisma in Crimson”
The story of the Phoenix can be found in many mythological traditions around the world, including ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Chinese cultures.
In Greek mythology, the Phoenix is said to have lived in Arabia, where it built its nest out of cinnamon and myrrh branches. Every 500 years, the Phoenix would burst into flames and be reborn from its own ashes, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and death.
In Egyptian mythology, the Phoenix was associated with the sun god Ra, and was said to live for 500 years before being reborn in a ball of flames. The Phoenix was also associated with the Bennu bird, which was said to be the soul of Ra. The Bennu was depicted as a heron or crane, and was said to have flown over the waters of creation before alighting on a sacred sycamore tree.
In Chinese mythology, the Phoenix was known as the Fenghuang, and was often depicted as a bird with the head of a pheasant, the body of a duck, the tail of a peacock, and the wings of a crane (woah is right). The Fenghuang was said to be a symbol of good fortune, peace, and prosperity, and was often associated with the emperor and the imperial household.
The Phoenix is a symbol of rebirth and renewal, as well as resilience and endurance. The idea of a bird being reborn from its own ashes suggests the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, and can be seen as a metaphor for the human experience. The Phoenix is also a symbol of strength, as it is able to endure the fire and emerge from the ashes unscathed.
In addition to its symbolic associations, the Phoenix has also been used as a literary motif in many works of art and literature. In J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series, the Phoenix is a magical bird that can carry immense power and healing abilities. In T.S. Eliot's poem "The Waste Land," the Phoenix is used as a symbol of hope and redemption in the midst of destruction and despair. However this quote is from the poem “Little Gidding”:
"And all shall be well and / All manner of thing shall be well / When the tongues of flame are in-folded / Into the crowned knot of fire / And the fire and the rose are one."
One of the most famous literary works that includes the phoenix is the epic poem "Metamorphoses" by the ancient Roman poet Ovid. In Book 15, Ovid tells the story of how the phoenix is reborn from its own ashes. Here is an excerpt from Ovid's "Metamorphoses," translated by Rolfe Humphries:
"Of all the birds, the phoenix is the only one that is not born twice in the same way, but is reborn from itself. When it knows that its final hour has come, that it is finished, the bird makes itself a nest in the incense-fumes of cassia and nard, and myrrh, and other odors that embalm the place. There it surrenders its life, completed in a single consummation of flame. From its body a little worm emerges, and when it matures, from it there comes a phoenix, small at first, that presently grows wings and becomes the great bird of the ages."
In addition to Ovid's "Metamorphoses," the phoenix has appeared in numerous other works of literature throughout history. For example, in J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix," the phoenix Fawkes plays a significant role in the story. Fawkes has the ability to burst into flames and then be reborn from the ashes, just like the mythical phoenix.
The symbolism of the phoenix has also been explored in more contemporary literature. In her novel "The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making," Catherynne M. Valente writes:
“The Phoenix must burn to emerge.”
For something new to emerge, the old must be destroyed. The phoenix represents the potential for rebirth and transformation, even in the face of destruction. Maybe Palahniuk was right,
“Maybe self-improvement isn't the answer, maybe self-destruction is the answer.”
Here’s where the infusion takes place:
Rituals operate as shared experiences that bring people together and reinforce a sense of community or shared identity. Unfortunately, it is the duel once again (opposing sides) that is re-issued; consider the highly common, binary approach to political topics in the States. But that’s chat for another time. With social significance comes emotional intensity. Dedication is offered, anywhere from the joy and excitement of a wedding ceremony to the solemnity of a funeral rite. This annual game is no different (literally, it’s just a reincarnation). The observers witness players and fans alike experiencing a wide range of emotions throughout the game, from the adrenaline rush of a mean interception to the disappointment of a crooked kick. The high stakes of the game, coupled with the intensity of the crowd and the media coverage, all contribute to the emotional impact of the Super Bowl.
For those that partook, Do you feel reborn?
Has the New Year just now begun?
Keep an eye out for Phoenix, the city of the sun…
-Heliodromus
Nice work