| Lesson #4; Phoenix's | |
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| Topic Started: May 9 2005, 08:04 PM (94 Views) | |
| Lisa | May 9 2005, 08:04 PM Post #1 |
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CoMC Professor/Quid. Cpt/DA Member
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Welcome to your final Care of Magical Creatures class before your test. Seeing how this has taken me so long to post, and it’s a long lesson it won’t be due for 2 weeks (May 22nd), but I will be posting the test in a week. Today we will be studying Phoenix's and their many amazing aspects as well as their many legends. Now let us begin! Phoenix: Ministry of Magic rating: XXXX Description: Though there are many descriptions of this legendary bird, a most common description is this, the phoenix is a swan-sized bird with gold and/or red plumage, a golden tail, a golden beak, and gold talons. Their plumage glows faintly in the darkness, while the tail feathers radiate heat to the touch. Other descriptions are along these lines: some people describe the phoenix as an eagle-sized bird; half eagle and half pheasant. Others say it is heron-like or a conglomeration of the most beautiful parts of all the birds in the world. It has also been described as golden or multi-colored. So the definitions of the phoenix's appearance vary slightly depending on what place it is from. Origin: Phoenix’s are known to come from 6 places, those places, and the description, and myth of ‘their’ phoenix are: Egypt Identified as a heron with its long straight back and head adorned at the back with two erect feathers, the Bennu was later named Phoenix by the Greeks. The Bennu lived on the ben-ben stone or obelisk within the sanctuary of Heliopolis and was worshipped alongside Ra and Osiris. Bennu was also considered a manifestation of Osiris, said to spring from his heart as a living symbol of the god. The Bennu symbolizes rebirth as it rises from the ashes, just as the new sun rises from the old. Every 500 years, the Bennu flew to the Sun Temple in Heliopolis where the priests were waiting to assist it. The bird then built a large funeral pyre of spices, climbed on top, and allowed the sun's rays to consume it. From the ashes, a worm was born which grew into an adult Bennu by the end of the day. Greece Greek mythology places the phoenix in Arabia, where it lives close to a cool well. Every morning at dawn it bathes in the water and sings a beautiful song. So beautiful is the song that the sun god would stop his chariot to listen. There only exists one phoenix at a time. When the phoenix feels its death approaching (every 500 or 1461 years) it builds a nest, sets it on fire, and is consumed by the flames. A new phoenix springs forth from the pyre. It then embalms the ashes of its predecessor in an egg of myrrh and flies with it to the City of the Sun. There the egg is deposited on the altar of the sun god. Hebrew In Jewish legend, the phoenix's name is Milcham. According to tradition, after Eve ate the forbidden fruit, she became jealous of the immortality and purity of the other creatures in the garden. Eventually, she persuaded all the animals except the phoenix to share in her fallen state by eating from the forbidden tree. God rewarded the phoenix by setting him up in a walled city where he could live in great peace for 1000 years. At the end of every 1000-year period, the bird is consumed by fire and reborn from an egg found in its ashes. One variation of this Jewish legend states that at the end of each 1000-year period, the phoenix's body becomes small and featherless like a baby's and then he grows up all over again. In any case, the Angel of Death may never touch him. Rome Ovid tells the story of the Phoenix as follows: "Most beings spring from other individuals; but there is a certain kind which reproduces itself. The Assyrians call it the Phoenix. It does not live on fruit or flowers, but on frankincense and odoriferous gums. When it has lived five hundred years, it builds itself a nest in the branches of an oak, or on the top of a palm tree. In this it collects cinnamon, and spikenard, and myrrh, and of these 'materials builds a pile on which it deposits itself, and dying, breathes out its last breath amidst odours. From the body of the parent bird, a young Phoenix issues forth, destined to live as long a life as its predecessor. When this has grown up and gained sufficient strength, it lifts its nest from the tree (its own cradle and its parent's sepulchre), and carries it to the city of Heliopolis in Egypt, and deposits it in the temple of the Sun." China In Chinese mythology, the phoenix is represented by the Feng-huang, a bird symbolizing the union of yin and yang. It is made of all the most desirable parts of earth's creatures: the snake's neck, the crane's forehead, the dragon's stripes, the fish's tail, the tortoise's shell, the swallow's throat, and the fowl's bill. It carries in its bill either two scrolls or a square box that contains sacred books. According to tradition, the phoenix's song includes all the five notes of the traditional musical scale; its feathers include the five fundamental colors and its body is a composite of the six celestial bodies: the head symbolizes the sky; the eyes, the sun; back, the moon; the wings, the wind; feet, the earth; and the tail, the planets. The phoenix appears only in peaceful and prosperous times, and hides itself when there is trouble. It is sometimes pictured with a fiery ball representing its association with the sun. It is the emperor of birds and is called the "scarlet bird." The Feng-huang lives in the Kingdom of the Wise, which is somewhat to the east of China. It drinks the purest water and eats bamboo. Whenever it sings, all the roosters in the world join in its five-noted melody. Its marrow is considered heavenly food. The legendary phoenix was a symbol of high virtue and grace to the Chinese. This bird is the Chinese emperor's protector. The male Feng-huang symbolizes happiness and the female Feng-huang represents the empress. A pair of Feng-huangs symbolizes marital bliss. At conception, this remarkable bird delivers the soul of the infant to its mother's womb. North America In the legends of native North Americans, the thunderbird is a powerful spirit in the form of a bird. Lightning flashes from its beak, and the beating of its wings it creates the thunder. It is often portrayed with an extra head on its abdomen. Lesser bird spirits, frequently in the form of eagles or falcons, often accompanies the majestic thunderbird. The thunderbird petroglyph symbol has been found across Canada and the United States. Evidence of similar figures has been found throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe. Rebirth: The Phoenix enjoys immortality, which had to be renewed with fire every 300 to 500 years. When the end of its life cycle drew near, the phoenix would gather aromatic herbs, woods, and spices from around the world with which to build its own funeral pyre or nest. Sitting in the nest, and having turned to face the rays of the sun, beating its wings, it deliberately fans the flames for itself and is consumed in the fire. Once the old body was consumed, the phoenix would be reborn from a worm, its marrow, or an egg found among the ashes and would embark on another 500 years of life. According to some legends, the renewed phoenix carried its old bones to the City of the Sun in Egypt where they were disposed of with special funeral rites. Symbol: The phoenix is associated with resurrection, immortality, triumph over adversity, and that which rises out of the ashes. It was born from itself without following the natural laws of reproduction. During the middle ages, it was believed to rise from the dead after three days. The Phoenix is symbolic of rebirth, hope, purity, chastity, marriage, faith, constancy, summer, eternity, immortality, and light. It is an image of the cosmic fire some believe the world began and will end in. The Taoists called it the "cinnabar bird." Romans placed the phoenix on coins and medals as an emblem of their desire for the Roman Empire to last forever. Powers: Phoenix tears heal wounds; they can also lift a great weight with their tail. The song of the phoenix is known to give courage, and hope, and strength to those it sings for (people who are ‘pure of heart’), and strike fear into the hearts of those who are considered ‘impure’. Fawkes (Here’s a little information on Albus Dumbledore’s pet phoenix): Professor Dumbledore appears to use one of Fawkes' scarlet body-feathers as a quill. The wands of both Harry and Voldemort contain feathers from Fawkes' tail. Phoenix tail-feathers being a powerful magical substance according to Mr. Ollivander. When wands sharing phoenix-feather cores from the same bird are forced to do battle, the rare Priori Incantatem effect that results will be accompanied by the sound of phoenix song. Like the diricrawl, the phoenix is herbivorous, and it also shares with the diricrawl the ability to disappear and reappear at will, although the phoenix does so in a burst of flames. Fawkes has been known to deliver messages in this manner so quickly that only a flash of fire in the air has been seen. When Fawkes is asked to keep watch and give warning, or deliver messages, he leaves a single golden tail feather, which Dumbledore, for one, is careful not to leave lying around. As a phoenix approaches its Burning Day, it resembles a half-plucked turkey and makes gagging noises. Its eyes become very dull and its feathers fall out. Then suddenly it will burst into flames and turn to a pile of ashes on the floor. From this pile of ashes rises a newborn phoenix, small and ugly. In a matter of days it becomes a fully-grown, beautiful phoenix. Fawkes has also been through this regeneration as the result of being hit with a Killing Curse intended for Dumbledore, so the effect is not limited to his normal Burning Days. And curiously enough, Fawkes was not so affected by the gaze of the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets. Given that the gentle nature of phoenixes is well known, it's noteworthy that Fawkes entered into direct combat with the basilisk at all, as phoenixes are not predators and have little need for fighting skills even in their own defence. Homework (for a total of 45 points): 1.) What is the Egyptian name for the phoenix (3)? 2.) According to Greek Mythology where does the phoenix live and what does it do every morning? (6) 3.) What was the phoenix’s reward for resisting Eve’s offer of the Forbidden Fruit? Why was only the phoenix granted a reward? (8) 4.) Give me a detailed description of the phoenix’s death and rebirth according to Ovid. (7) 5.) Give me a detailed description of the Phoenix according to Chinese Mythology. (5) 6.) According to native North Americans what happens when the Thunderbird beats it’s wings? (5) 7.) What is everything a Phoenix symbolizes? (8) 8.) What powers does the phoenix have? (3) [size=1]Thanks to http://monsters.monstrous.com/phoenix.htm for some of the information.[/size] |
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| Samantha_Malfoy | May 11 2005, 05:57 PM Post #2 |
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Graduated
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samantha malfoy slytherin 1.Identified as a heron with its long straight back and head adorned at the back with two erect feathers, the Bennu was later named Phoenix by the Greeks. 2.Greek mythology places the phoenix in Arabia, where it lives close to a cool well. Every morning at dawn it bathes in the water and sings a beautiful song 3.Eventually, she persuaded all the animals except the phoenix to share in her fallen state by eating from the forbidden tree. God rewarded the phoenix by setting him up in a walled city where he could live in great peace for 1000 years 4. From the body of the parent bird, a young Phoenix issues forth, destined to live as long a life as its predecessor. 5.the phoenix is represented by the Feng-huang, a bird symbolizing the union of yin and yang. It is made of all the most desirable parts of earth's creatures: the snake's neck, the crane's forehead, the dragon's stripes, the fish's tail, the tortoise's shell, the swallow's throat, and the fowl's bill. 6.the beating of its wings it creates the thunder. 7.The Phoenix is symbolic of rebirth, hope, purity, chastity, marriage, faith, constancy, summer, eternity, immortality, and light 8. Phoenix tears heal wounds; they can also lift a great weight with their tail. The song of the phoenix is known to give courage, and hope, and strength to those it sings for (people who are ‘pure of heart’), and strike fear into the hearts of those who are considered ‘impure’. [size=4]Good Job!! 42 minus 5 for copying and pasting, for a total of 38 Points to Slytherin!![/size] |
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| Lexi | May 13 2005, 02:41 PM Post #3 |
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Headmistress/Gryffindor Head of House
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Elsbeth Gryffindor 1) The Egyptian name for the Phoenix is Bennu 2) According to Greek mythology, the Phoenix lives close to a well in Arabia. At dawn every morning it bathes in the cool water of the well then sings a song so beautiful that the Sun God stops his chariot to listen. 3) The Phoenix was rewarded with a walled city where he could live in peace for one thousand years. At the end of this one thousand year period, the Phoenix is consumed by fire and reborn from an egg which is found in the ashes. The Phoenix alone received this reward for being the only creature to refuse to eat the forbidden fruit offered by Eve. 4) When the Phoenix reaches the age of 500 years it builds a nest in the branches of an Oak or on top of a Palm tree. It then collects cinnamon, spiknenard and myrrh and piles them up in the nest. The bird then places itself upon these spices, taking it's last breath within the odours they produce. From the body of the 'parent' a young Phoenix comes forth and the 500 year cycle begins again. When this 'new' bird is big enough and strong enough, it lifts the nest from the tree and takes it to the Temple of the Sun in Heliopolis, Egypt. 5)The 'Scarlet Bird' of China is made up of 'the most desirable parts of earth's creatures'. The Snakes neck, the Crane's forehead, the Dragon's stripes, the Fish's tail, the Tortoise's shell, the Swallow's throat and the Fowl's bill. 6) According to native North Americans thunder is produced when the Thunderbird beats it's wings. 7) The Phoenix symbolises, rebirth, purity, chastity, marriage, faith, constancy, summer, eternity, immortality and light. 8) The Phoenix has the power to heal wounds with it's tears. To give courage, hope and strength to those who are pure of heart with it's song, and strike fear into the heart's of those who are not. It is very strong and capable of lifting great weight with it's tail feathers. [size=4]Great Job!!! A full 45 Marks to Gryffindor!!![/size] |
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| Dark Mistress | May 13 2005, 05:25 PM Post #4 |
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HoM Professor/DE Leader
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Spellbook Gryffindor 1. Known to Egyptians as Bennu. 2. Arabia, where every morning it bathes in the water and sings a beautiful song. 3. Eve persuaded all the other animals except the Phoenix to eat the forbidden fruit. God rewarded the Phoenix by setting him up in a walled city where he would live in peace for 1000 years. 4. The pheonix lives 500 years. It builds a nest in the branches of oak or on top of palms. Builds a pile of cinnamon, spikenard, and myrrh. Deposits itself into the pile where it will draw it's last breath. A new phoenix will rise from it's parents body to live 500 years. 5. Made from all desirable parts of earth's creatures. The snake's head, cranes forehead, dragon stripes, fish's tail, tortoise shell, swallow's throat, and the fowl's bill. Carries in it's bill; two scrolls or a box containing books. 6. Beating of the thunderbirds wings cause thunder. 7. Associated with resurrection, immortality, triumph over adversity, and that which rises from the ashes. Symbolic of rebirth, hope, purity, chastity, marriage, faith, constancy, summer, eternity, immortality, and light. 8. The phoenix have tears with healing powers and can lift heavy loads with their tail feathers. Tail feathers are also used for wand cores because they are powerfully magical. [size=4]Great Job!! 44 Points to Gryffindor!!![/size] |
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| Harry Potter | Jul 30 2005, 08:14 AM Post #5 |
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Unregistered
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Harry Potter Gryffindor [size=5]Great Job!! A full 45 Points to Gryffindor Minus 5 for Copying and Pasting!!![/size] sorry i thought you had to work from the given text next time i wont! 1.It was know as The Bennu. 2.Greek mythology places the phoenix in Arabia, where it lives close to a cool well. Every morning at dawn it bathes in the water and sings a beautiful song. 3. i.God rewarded the phoenix by setting him up in a walled city where he could live in great peace for 1000 years. ii.Only the phoenix was able to resist eve so only he/she got an award. 4.When it has lived five hundred years, it builds itself a nest in the branches of an oak, or on the top of a palm tree. In this it collects cinnamon, and spikenard, and myrrh, and of these 'materials builds a pile on which it deposits itself, and dying, breathes out its last breath amidst odours. From the body of the parent bird, a young Phoenix issues forth, destined to live as long a life as its predecessor. When this has grown up and gained sufficient strength, it lifts its nest from the tree (its own cradle and its parent's sepulchre), and carries it to the city of Heliopolis in Egypt, and deposits it in the temple of the Sun." 5.It is made of all the most desirable parts of earth's creatures: the snake's neck, the crane's forehead, the dragon's stripes, the fish's tail, the tortoise's shell, the swallow's throat, and the fowl's bill. It carries in its bill either two scrolls or a square box that contains sacred books. 6.Lightning flashes from its beak, and the beating of its wings it creates the thunder. 7.The Phoenix is symbolic of rebirth, hope, purity, chastity, marriage, faith, constancy, summer, eternity, immortality, and light. 8.Phoenix tears heal wounds; they can also lift a great weight with their tail. The song of the phoenix is known to give courage, and hope, and strength to those it sings for people who are ‘pure of heart’, and strike fear into the hearts of those who are considered ‘impure’. |
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| TenyaStar | Aug 1 2005, 01:53 AM Post #6 |
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DE Member
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[size=5]Great Job!!! 43 Points to Slytherin!![/size] Once again, I know I'm late, but I wanted the practise anyways. 1.The Egyptian name for the phoenix is Bennu. 2.Greek mythology says that the Pheonix is in Arabia near a cool well and every morning at dawn it bathes and sings. 3.The Phoenix was the only creature granted the reward of peaceful immortality in a walled city where it would be live and be renewed every 1000 years, because it was the only one to resist the temptation of eating from the forbidden tree. 4. Every five hundred years, it builds a nest in an oak or palm tree and collects in it cinnamon, spikenard, and myrrh. It then deposits it's dying self and gives it's last breath amidst odours. From the body of the parent, a young pheonix emerges for a life as long as the parent. When it's strong enough, it carries the nest to the city of Heliopolis, Egypt and deposits it in the temple of the sun. 5.It has a snakes neck, a crane's forehead, a dragon's stripes, a fish's tail, a tortoise's shell, a swallow's throat, and a fowl's bill. It's feather include all five of the fundamental colors and it's body is composed of the six celestial bodies:the head is the sky, the eyes are the sun, the back is the moon, the wings are the wind, the feet are the earth, and the tail is the planets. 6.The beating of it's wings creates thunder. 7.The Pheonix symbolizes rebirth, hope, purity, chastity, marriage, faith, constancy, summer, eternity, immortality, and light. 8.A Phoenix's tears can heal wounds, it's song gives courage, hope, and strength to whomever it sings to, it can lift great amounts of weight with it's tail and it strikes fear into the hearts of those who are impure. |
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8:54 AM Jul 11