Mythical Creatures

Rise of the Phoenix: There are Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Egyptian, and Native American counterparts of the Phoenix. (Fêng-Huang, Ho-oo, Firebird, Benu, and Yel respectively). All of these birds are identified with the sun."A mythical bird that never dies, the phoenix flies far ahead to the front, always scanning the landscape and distant space. It represents our capacity for vision, for collecting sensory information about our environment and the events unfolding within it. The phoenix, with its great beauty, creates intense excitement and deathless inspiration." - The Feng Shui Handbook, feng shui Master Lam Kam Chuen

Classical Arabian Phoenix: Perhaps the most well known, the Arabian phoenix was a fabulous mythical bird, said to be as large as an eagle, with brilliant scarlet and gold plumage and a melodious cry. Making it's home near a cool well, the Phoenix would appear at dawn every morning to sing a song so enchanting that even the great sun god Apollo would stop to listen. It was said that only one phoenix existed at any one time, and it is very long-lived with a life span of 500 years, 540 years, 1000 years, 1461 years or even 12,994 years (according to various accounts). As the end of its life approached, the phoenix would build a pyre nest of aromatic branches and spices such as myrrh, sets it on fire, and is consumed in the flames. After three days the birth -- or as some legends say a rebirth -- the phoenix arises from the ashes. According to some sources, the phoenix arose from the midst of the flames. The young phoenix gathers the ashes of its predecessor into an egg of myrrh and takes it to Heliopolis, the city of the sun, to deposit it on the alter of the sun god. A symbolic representation of the Death and rebirth of the sun. It is also described as being either eagle like or heron like. It lives on dew, killing nothing and crushing nothing that it touches. Generally considered the king of birds. It has alternatively been called the bird of the sun, of Assyria, of Arabia, of the Ganges, the long-lived bird and the Egyptian bird...

The country has attracted attention again this week with a rather strange claim from archaeologists.North Korea is no stranger to bizarre claims but this one might take the cake. The official state news agency has announced that a "unicorn lair" has been found in Pyongyang and that it would have once been used by the King to house several of the mythical animals. According to reports, the discovery was made whenarchaeologists came across a rock with the words "unicorn lair" inscribed on it.The announcement might not be quite what it seems however, there is speculation that this could be a response to the recent satirical article published in the Onion that proclaimed Kim Jong-Un as "the sexiest man alive".

Could North Korea be responding in kind with its own piece of satire or is there another explanation for the origins of this bizarre "discovery" ? North Koreahas raised eyebrows around the world by announcing that researchers have proved the existence of the unicorn.  

View: Full article |  Source: Sky News  

Campaigners have proposed adding a 75ft horn to the famous 3000-year-old chalk horse in Uffington.A growing number of historians and campaigners believe the hillside drawing is actually that of a mythical unicorn rather than a horse. "The Uffington White Horse has been a great British landmark for centuries, however its true form has always been shrouded in mystery," said author Paula Broderick. "Webelieve that the Uffington carving is actually one of a unicorn, a mythical creature known to have fascinated our ancient cultures and folklore." The plan by the "Save the Unicorn at Uffington" has more than 1,000 members and is being lead by Bronze Age enthusiasts.

They claim the 3,000-year-old horse made from crushed white chalk in Uffington, Oxfordshire, was originally meant to be a depiction of themythical horned beast.  

View: Full article |  Source: Telegraph  

Anthony North: We have all heard of the Dragon. Known in culture worldwide, it is usually depicted as a huge reptile or snake with two pairs of legs and wings. Often associated with spirituality, it can also breath fire. In eastern mythology it is often seen as benevolent, whereas to western culture, it is malevolent. Often known as a 'worm', warrior knights fight it, usually rescuing a fair maiden whom it had been guarding. This is the story of george and the dragon.: And the legend is repeated throughout parts of western Europe. It is a symbol of knightly purity and essential to the idea of chivalry. But this element of the legend is older than Christianity. Beowulf does battle withthe dragon, Grendel, in Saxon mythology.

The ancient Greeks had the Hydra. The Dragon is often a symbol of war, and it appears in legendary names such as Arthur Pendragon. It is clearly a symbol of something monstrous which was defeated. St michael is essential to the mythology. : He is the patron saint of chivalry and commands God's army. He is often depicted fighting the Devil in heaven, the Devil usually symbolized as a Dragon. St Michael has many churches in England today, and they are often associated with leys -ancient tracks, sometimes seen as possessing magical energies, at others simply ancient pagan trade routes. Do leys offer a hint of understanding?: In the east, the concept of ancient pathways are known as 'dragon paths', giving a clear association between the Dragon and theEarth itself. Earth and Dragon seem to be one and the same. Seeing the Dragon as a serpent can be illuminating. Indeed, all the Dragon is is a monstrous form of serpent. And if we do so, we will find serpents in ancient mythologies throughout the world. Usually, it is associated with creation.: Serpents are usually the vessel through which the spark of life is placed upon the land, often caused by the passing of blood or semen. In this sense, the serpent has a clear 'phallic' representation. Such mythologies are pagan.

View: Full Article | Source: Beyond the Blog