Do you know that originally the Phoenix bird is the Heron? If you don't, I will tell you the true story of its symbolic meaning.
After my little research I look at the Heron from a new point of view. It is a powerful ancient symbol of the Phoenix. It is happiness that the rising sun brings into your soul. It gives hope that everything will end up well. You have the second choice. Try again and you will succeed. Be confident, you can do it!
I started my research in my usual way. I asked my friends what meaning a heron/crane could have in their opinion. I thought that those two birds should have pretty much the same meaning. The results of my little poll seemed to be just usual, until I started comparing them to the real symbolic meanings.
The first thing I learned was the Heron shared the symbolism of the Stork and Crane. That was a surprise! I actually was right by asking my question in the way I did. Could there be any more surprises? Actually there were more...
Rina associates the stork with the spring. The heron is a contemplator according to her.
Alexandra agrees.
Irina thinks the heron represents the proud loneliness. It is always by itself.
Albina together with others says the storks bring the babies.
Originally, the Phoenix was identified by the Egyptians as a stork or heron-like bird called a bennu, known from the Book of the Dead and other Egyptian texts as one of the sacred symbols of the rising sun and the Egyptian sun-god Ra. The Bennu bird is said to be the soul of the Sun-God Ra. It was associated with the rising of the Nile, resurrection, and the sun. It represented creation and renewal. The bird was also said to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, thus being almost immortal and invincible — a symbol of divinity and fire. The Book of the Dead says, “I am the Bennu bird, the Heart-Soul of Ra, the Guide of the Gods to the Tuat”.
In rare instances the Bennu was pictured as a man with the head of a heron, wearing a white or blue mummy dress under a transparent long coat.
Although descriptions (and life-span) vary, the Phoenix (Bennu bird) became popular in early Christian art, Christian literature and Christian symbolism as a symbol of Christ, and further, represented the life-after-death, and the immortality, resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Greeks adapted the bird Bennu and identified it with their own word Phoenix, meaning the purple-red or crimson color. They and the Romans subsequently pictured the bird more like a peacock or eagle. (This is how we picture it in our minds now).
Most of its symbolic meanings the Heron take from the original Egyptian Phoenix. It is thought to be a solar bird. As an aquatic creature it is associated with the waters of creation. It is also symbolizes the coming of spring and new life and it is a bird of good omen. In Christianity it is the symbol of vigilance, loyalty, goodness, prudence and quietness. In Chinese mythology it is serious and silent, the "Thinker". It represents tact and delicacy since it rises from the water without stirring and the mud; immortality, longevity, protective motherhood, prosperity, happiness, high official position. In Greco-Roman mythology it is herald of spring and light.
The first people who fell under the influence of the heron's mysterious look were the ancient Egyptians... Since then it attracts your attention with its beauty and proud pose. I really enjoyed making my Great Blue Heron brooch and most people chose just it among all my other bird and animal brooches. It is not a mystery for me anymore. And neither for you now...
I wish you all the best. I wish the rising sun to bring the happiness in to your soul, to give hope that everything will end up well. You have the second choice. Try again and you will succeed. Be confident, you can do it!
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