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Greek mythology

Discussion in 'Tilted Philosophy, Politics, and Economics' started by ralphie250, Mar 8, 2013.

  1. ralphie250

    ralphie250 Fully Erect Donor

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    Here lately I have been very interested in the Phoenix the bird who rises from the ashes. For some reason I have found myself researching the different gods. I understand that the Phoenix will burst into a ball of flames or set itself on fire when it is time for it to die and then emerge from the ashes. First of all is there anything in the Bible about the Phoenix or is it just a mythological bird? There are numerous stories and myths about the Phoenix on the Internet but I really don't know what to believe since I have never learned about it.
     
  2. cynthetiq

    cynthetiq Administrator Staff Member Donor

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    New York City
    Jesus. Solomon's temple. Both come to mind.
     
  3. ralphie250

    ralphie250 Fully Erect Donor

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    Because they both rose up again???
     
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  4. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    Yep.
    It's essentially about being reborn and being more pure after that rebirth.

    A scientific analogy would be like a crucible.

    But haven't you ever felt that yourself have been through an extreme trial,
    somehow made it through and come out a better person for it?

    This is the same, but taken to a further extent.
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2013
  5. ralphie250

    ralphie250 Fully Erect Donor

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    I feel that way now.
     
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  6. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
  7. ralphie250

    ralphie250 Fully Erect Donor

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    God of the dead or afterlife i think. If i remember right he had green hair or skin. Dont remember without looking it up.

    So the phoenix would die, meet osiris and emerge from the ashes?
     
  8. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    A god of rebirth and resurrection, associated with the changing cycles of nature: flooding of the Nile, the agricultural seasons, etc.
     
  9. ralphie250

    ralphie250 Fully Erect Donor

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    How would the Phoenix emerge from the ashes? Is there anyway to know what would have actually happened when it resurrected
     
  10. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    Since it such an ancient myth, it varies greatly.

    In one example, the bird will catch fire near it's death...being burnt to ashes, but within the ashes is found an egg...and the reborn bird hatches from that.
    In some, it doesn't have to be near death, but can do it at will...for some reason or another.
    In others, it doesn't hatch from an egg in the ashes, but just crawl out from those ashes whole & reborn...in another, it appears again somewhere else.
    And the reasons that it does things before, during, after and in-between that event may change too.

    It depends on the culture and story-teller...and what symbolism they want to portray...or what just sounds like a good story.
     
  11. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    There is no scientific explanation, if that's what you're after. The phoenix is a symbol of reincarnation, often tied to the sun (day/night cycles). I think maybe reading through this might help: Reincarnation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    The concept of reincarnation has a long history predating Christianity. I'm somewhat familiar with the Buddhist concept, but it differs from the Christian, of which I only have a vague understanding.

    Mythologically speaking, rebirth/reincarnation is also a symbol of spiritual progression, perhaps not unlike the Greek concept of catharsis.

    It may also interest you to check out the work of Joseph Campbell, particularly, The Power of Myth and The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2013
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  12. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    I love the Power of Myth book...I've got the old PBS video series too.
     
  13. ralphie250

    ralphie250 Fully Erect Donor

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    Not really looking for a scientific explanation, maybe just a better understanding.


    The phoenix was before jesus right???? Makin sure
     
  14. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    Yes. It's from the Greek.

    As with many religious and mythological beliefs/rituals/stories, it was appropriated by Christianity.

    Actually, many elements of Christianity can be traced to predecessors all the way back to ancient Sumerian and Egyptian culture. I'm not sure of any Chinese or other Asian cross over, but there will likely be similar elements with parallels. Mythology is interesting that way.
     
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  15. ralphie250

    ralphie250 Fully Erect Donor

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    Im learning that. Damn shame im 32 and just now interested in it
     
  16. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    Start with The Power of Myth and go from there. It's a book, but it's originally a video and also is available as an audiobook. It's a long interview discussing mythology.

    A good and accessible book on mythology is Edith Hamilton's Mythology. It's certainly skewed towards Greek mythology, but it does have an overview of Roman and Norse mythology as well. The problem with a lot of the books on mythology is that they can be dry and rather dense. Hamilton's book is easy to get through and is a good overview.

    The Hero with a Thousand Faces is like the masterclass of the concept of the monomyth/hero's journey (of which there is some debate among mythologists). It was a huge influence on George Lucas's work on Star Wars, and much of it can be applied to many modern/contemporary works such as The Lord of the Rings and such. It's by no means easily accessible. It's dense and long (though not exactly dry), and it covers advanced concepts, using sometimes challenging terminology and language. It's a pretty important work on the subject though, even if you don't agree with the overarching concept. You may find its truncated/abridged audiobook more accessible. It includes recordings of Campbell's lectures and other material on the topic.
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2013
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  17. ralphie250

    ralphie250 Fully Erect Donor

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    Ill have to check out some of those references.