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- symbolizing the dark of the moon - then rises from its own ashes. The Phoenix has dual symbolism, lunar in its associations with the moon, but also solar, being a fire-bird. The bird is the epitome of gentleness as it kills nothing, feeding only on dew and crushing nothing it touches.

There are varying accounts as to the phoenix's age. Some say it lives 1000 years. Pliny says it lives 660 years, Herodotus 540 years, Seneca 500 years and Albertus 350 years. Ovid says its tears are of incense and its blood of balsam. The Talmud version is that after 1000 years it shrivels to the size of an egg, and then emerges once more.

The Phoenix is of outstanding importance in Chinese myth and symbolism. It is one of the Four Spirituality Endowed or Sacred Creatures. Like the dragon or the Ky-Lin [Serene Dragon], combining the quality the Yin and Yang powers known as the Feng Huang the Feng relating to solar and masculine influence and the Huang to Lunar and feminine influence.

In Chinese myth the Dragon is the "Emperor" and represents Yang, masculinity and strength and the Phoenix is the "Empress" and represents Yin and femininity, beauty, delicacy and peace. The Phoenix is also a bridal symbol of inseparable fellowship for the couple personally but also for the Yin-Yang balance and harmony in the universe.

Again, the dragon or Ky-lin is a composite creature composed of different elements and symbolizing the entire cosmos, having the head of the solar cock, the back of the swallow as the lunar crest, its wings as the wind, its tail representing trees and flowers and its feet, the Earth. In other descriptions it has head of a dragon, single horn, lion's mane, stag's body, and ox's tail.

The Ky-lin has the five colours of the five virtues. An ancient manual of Chinese rites said: "Its colour delights the eye, its comb expresses righteousness, its tongue utters sincerity, its voice chants melody, its ear enjoys music, its heart conforms to regulations, its breast contains the treasures of literature and its spurs are powerful against transgressors.

The Ho-ho is the Phoenix of Japanese myth. It appears on Earth in different ages to accomplish a new era, after which it ascends to Heaven until it comes again to establish the next cycle. It represents the sun, justice, fidelity and obedience. Again the Ho-ho is associated with the Empress and femininity.

The Greek words for palm-trees and Phoenix are the same, as the tree was said to die and rise again and the bird and the tree can

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