By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)
The symbolism of the phoenix ought to be a straightforward matter. There are two things most people know about the phoenix: that it’s a mythical bird, no more real than dragons or unicorns; and that it’s famous for rising from the ashes of its own funeral pyre, symbolising resurrection.
However, there are a number of other symbolic details associated with the phoenix, details which are less well-known. Let’s take a closer look at the symbolism of this legendary bird.