Phoenix Symbolism & Meaning (+ Spirit, Totem & Omens)  

Are you interested in the Phoenix Spirit Animal? Then this guide is for you!

What does it mean when you encounter the phoenix? Simply put, it means you should take charge of your life.

This spirit animal is likely to come into your life when you are at your lowest; when you think that life has beaten you to a pulp.

The phoenix spirit animal reminds you of one crucial lesson of life: when you’ve hit the rock bottom, the only way to go is up!

It gives you hope that you can rise from your devastation and occupy your rightful place in the order of things.

To fully understand the purpose of the phoenix spirit animal in your life, acquaint yourself with the symbolism of this legendary bird.

What’s the Phoenix Meaning and Symbolism?

Strength and Beauty

Almost every culture across the globe has its equivalent of the phoenix.

From the mythical phoenix that originated from ancient Greek astrology to the Chinese Fenghuang, these legendary birds are known for their majesty and beauty.

The phoenix is so big that scatters all other creatures on its path. It is a sight to behold because of its legendary beauty.

Symbol of Balance and Harmony

The phoenix reminds you that life is full of contradictions, and in these contradictions, one has to thrive.

There’s life and death, joy and pain, jubilation and suffering. Whenever you go through a negative phase in your life, don’t give up hope for good times.

The phoenix has to die to be reborn anew, with fresh energies and purpose.

Symbol of Indestructibility

The phoenix’s life reminds you that life does not end at death. You were not brought into this world to suffer and die, having accomplished nothing.

This spirit guide urges you to rise from the ashes of pain and suffering and do something memorable with your life.

What legacy do you want to leave behind as you depart the physical realm?

Symbol of Longevity

Spiritually, the phoenix spirit animal symbolizes longevity. According to the Greek poet Hesiod, this legendary creature lives for more than 9 generations of ravens.

According to other accounts, this bird would live up to 500 years. This spirit animal encourages you to do the best with the resources of your youth to create a comfortable retirement.

Symbol of Wisdom and Knowledge

Just before its death, the phoenix prepares its death nest. It makes preparations for its successor to have a good starting point in life.

The phoenix spirit animal teaches us to be wise with the decisions we make concerning our lives. Life cannot be changed in a minute.

But, the decisions we make in a minute can change everything in life.

Symbolic Meaning of Phoenix Spirit Animal in Various Cultures

Phoenix Symbolism in Christian Culture

The Romans brought the concept of the phoenix to Christendom. The early Christians took it up quite readily because it resonates well with their belief in Christianity.

The phoenix does not die as most other animals do. From its ashes, a new stronger phoenix emerges.

This is very much like the Christian concept of resurrection. According to Christians, our early bodies can die – but this does not mean the end of life.

Christians are reborn into eternal life, where each is given a new, indestructible body by God.

Romans engraved this bird’s image into their coins – indicating that the phoenix’s power straddled the colossal Roman Empire.

Its invisible strength went beyond the districts and provinces to the very steps of the Senate itself. To the Christian, this image reminds them of God’s power.

Christians believe that God is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (everywhere at the same time), and omnipotent (all-powerful).

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Christians started to relate the phoenix’s self-sacrificing nature to the sacrifice made by Jesus for humanity’s sake.

Christianity teaches that it’s only by dying through Christ that you craft a path to everlasting life.

Phoenix Symbolism in African Culture

In African culture, the phoenix is described as the king of all birds. It is said to be several times larger than an eagle and is often described as having the legs of a lion.

Unlike most other birds in Africa, the phoenix has four legs. It has red and gold fur instead of feathers and has huge wings that make it fly at amazing speeds.

Most African communities saw the phoenix as a combination of several ancestral spirits coming together to rid the world of evil.

This is why it would mostly travel at night when almost everyone was asleep. Few saw this legendary savior because it revealed itself only to the chosen few.

But, everyone in the community knew about it because it was the African shaman’s work to ensure that narratives of such divine importance were told for generations.

According to African myth, this legendary bird would only appear when the land was in dire crisis. It would retreat once the crisis was sorted, not to be seen for a long time to come.

The Egyptian concept of the phoenix is closer to that of the Romans or the Greeks.

One can argue that some of the qualities attributed to the Greco-Roman phoenix originated in Egyptian mythology.

Phoenix Symbolism in Native American Culture

The Native Americans had a lot of respect for the phoenix because of its symbolism. They referred to their phoenix as the thunderbird.

They believed that this legendary bird could live well over 7000 years before it died and was reborn.

Native Americans’ reverence of the phoenix was so immense that it influenced the policymakers to use this bird as the first Great Seal of the United States – which came into effect in 1782.

Later, the image of the phoenix on the seal was replaced with that of an eagle.

Although most people contend that the Phoenix originated in Greco-Roman culture, the Native Americans believed that this bird was one with the Great Spirit.

Some tribes thought it was a manifestation of the Great Spirit, while others believed it was His companion.

The latter group felt that the Great Spirit would send the Phoenix from time to time to do His bidding. To carry out this mandate effectively, the phoenix had no wife, children, or relations.

Although the Natives believed that the phoenix was generally a good and benevolent creature, it would at times warn the people or mete out punishment when they went astray.

For this reason, the natives were very cautious when during nasty thunderstorms.

They believed that the thunder was caused when the phoenix flapped its wings in anger. The lightning that would follow was likely to cause fire or destroy everything on its path.

Native Shamans appealed to the thunderbird spirit animal for its healing medicine. It would be used to cure the land after pestilences and other such strife.

Phoenix Symbolism in Celtic Culture

The phoenix symbol has been used widely across the regions that hosted the Celtic tribes.

For example, the Irish Republican Army used the myths and legends of the phoenix to spur their fighters against the British in Belfast.

The IRA emphasized that rebirth and renewal came after a glorious death. This gave their fighters the courage to face their aggressors.

This powerful bird indicates that you have to go through hard times – a crisis, even – to get what you want in life.

If you desire democracy, you must fight for it. You have to ‘burn’ like the phoenix to find the flow you desire to see in your life

In Scottish culture, the phoenix is closely linked to the cycle of life. We live to die so that we can be reborn.

The Scotts believed they had to do something important with their lives in-between the three stages of birth, death, and rebirth.

The legend of the phoenix motivated them to live meaningful lives, and to create a lasting impact as they journeyed through life.

To many Celts, the phoenix symbolized renewal. It indicated that one was moving from a less desirable state of their existence to a more desirable one.

Phoenix Symbolism in Eastern Culture

The phoenix is well captured in Eastern traditions. For example, the Chinese refer to the Phoenix as Fenghuang.

The Chinese regarded the Fenghuang as a good omen that brought the positive energies of growth and progress into the community.

To this community, the phoenix indicates that after pain, suffering, and death, there’s rebirth.

The Chinese believed in life after death. Death is just but a stage that ushers one into the next level of one’s existence.

This is well illustrated by the phoenix. Its death by burning into ashes gives room for a brand new, more vibrant phoenix to be born.

Like the Egyptians, the Chinese would bury their dead with household tools, weapons, and offerings for the gods as they journeyed to the other world.

One of the marvels of modern archeology is the discovery of the Terracotta Army that was buried with Qin Shin Huang, the first emperor of China.

This discovery is proof that the Chinese adequately prepared themselves for rebirth.

Additionally, it is believed that the multi-pronged phoenix’s tail corresponds to the five tenets of Confucianism: Knowledge, loyalty, honesty, charity, and good manners.

In Japan, the phoenix is referred to as the ‘Red Bird’. It has most of the characteristics of the Native American thunderbird.

The Japanese phoenix is the first to meet the rising sun, probably to brief the sun about the events of the night.

When the Phoenix is Your Spirit Animal

The phoenix spirit animal wants you to believe in yourself. You must re-ignite the fire of success that you once felt in your belly.

What has happened that has stopped you from moving? What is killing your ambitions, goals, and dreams?

The phoenix spirit animal wants you to know you are not yet done. Regardless of what is going on in your life, rise and restart your dreams.

This spirit guide knows it when you feel weary; you are on the verge of giving up. The phoenix medicine will spruce you up to rise from the ashes and lighten your life.

When the phoenix comes into your life, know there are no shadows to hide behind. You must squarely face the source of your problems and deal with them.

The phoenix spirit guide signals rebirth. Granted, you have gone through a lot in the past. You are traumatized by what you’ve had to endure.

But this is as far as it should go. It’s time to get rid of all the negativity and reclaim your rightful place in the Universe.

The Phoenix Power Animal

The phoenix power animal is a kind listener. You can call on it when you want support to renew your life.

This spirit animal brings the power of change, transformation, and rebirth into your life. It reminds you that in many ways, you are immortal.

This means you should not cede control of your life to anything or anyone. Don’t allow negative thinking patterns, bad habits, or psychotropic substances to run your life.

Get rid of the toxic people in your life, and learn to enjoy every minute of the day. That’s the phoenix spirit.

At the same time, the phoenix power animal asks you to understand the cycles of your life. Keep working hard, but rest when you must.

This power guide gives you the strength to rise from adversity. The phoenix and its nest are burned to ashes.

But from the ashes rise a young, vibrant phoenix ready to take the world by storm. This should be your spirit.

The Phoenix Totem Animal

There’s a reason people with the phoenix totem tend to be such good performers. They have all the help they need when they feel lost, confused, or distressed.

If you were born with the phoenix totem, you have one of the most powerful forces in the Universe watching over you.

You’ll have the support you need to rise from adversity. This means no challenge under the face of the earth can put you down.

Regardless of how far you have sunk, you’ll find reasons to claw right back up to your rightful position.

People with the phoenix totem take failure as a motivator. They use the lessons learned to make better decisions concerning their future.

Myth has it that no one knows this bird’s diet – or whether it eats at all. Having the phoenix totem means you should learn to keep your secrets.

Let your results speak for you – you don’t have to tell everyone what you are planning or what you desire to accomplish.

Phoenix Encounters and Omens

Seeing the phoenix – in dreams, books, magazines, movies, or TV shows – indicates death and rebirth.

The phoenix is in charge of all the fire that has been in existence since creation. It uses this fire to kill itself to give chance to the process of renewal.

Meeting this legendary bird tells you to let go of the past. Release those things that no longer serve your interests.

In particular, you must release anger, resentment, hatred, and animosity. Although cutting off your past can be a painful process, it is for your own good.

The phoenix is very much like the sun, which sets in the evening and rises in the morning. In essence, this solar symbol never really dies. It only renews itself to be better and more efficient.

Phoenix Tattoo Meaning

By all counts, the phoenix tattoo is a very special one. You need to discuss with your tattoo artist your options – you’ll be surprised at the wide array available.

For example, you may opt for a red-feathered, golden-tailed phoenix tattoo. This is a proclamation of your boldness.

You won’t allow anyone or anything to stand in the way of your goals.

Having a phoenix tattoo indicates beauty and strength. It shows you’re determined to harness the opposing forces in you and bring them to work as one.

People with the phoenix tattoo don’t believe in giving up. For them, failure is not an option. They keep pushing, trying different approaches until something gives way.

A tattoo of a phoenix and its nest on fire shows your determination to overcome adversities. Although you know the process could be long, tiring, or painful, you are determined to see it through.

A phoenix tattoo shows you are not afraid to start afresh. You believe that second chances are meant to make you better and more efficient.

Final Thoughts…

The Phoenix never really dies. When for any reason it is killed, a new one rises in its place. What does Phoenix rising mean to you?

This spirit guide comes into your life to inform you that you are indestructible. It wants you to understand that death –in whatever form – is not the end of life.

Death is just but a phase we have to go through to get to the other side.

In a nutshell, the Phoenix symbolizes hope, renewal, resurrection, and immortality.