Griffins and Phoenixes


Book Description

The griffin is a creature that has a body of a lion and the head of an eagle. The phoenix is a legendary bird of fire and associated with the sun that is birthed out of ashes. Research into these creatures and the cultures from which they come has provided anthropological understanding in some areas, but has also led to many more questions about the creatures' existence and origins. This book examines the myths, legends, and facts surrounding the griffin and phoenix. Cultural diversity is celebrated through the examination of myths and legends from around the world and presents different interpretations about each, providing detailed information for the reader to dissect and explore. The chapters include a detailed sidebar giving insight into legends of past civilizations and encourages students to compare and contrast myths across ages and cultures. Portions of the book use primary sources directing where students can find more information, including links to websites, videos, and other rich content.




The Phoenix


Book Description

An “insightful cultural history of the mythical, self-immolating bird” from Ancient Egypt to contemporary pop culture by the author of The Book of Gryphons (Library Journal). The phoenix, which rises again and again from its own ashes, has been a symbol of resilience and renewal for thousands of years. But how did this mythical bird come to play a part in cultures around the world and throughout human history? Here, mythologist Joseph Nigg presents a comprehensive biography of this legendary creature. Beginning in ancient Egypt, Nigg’s sweeping narrative discusses the many myths and representations of the phoenix, including legends of the Chinese, where it was considered a sacred creature that presided over China’s destiny; classical Greece and Rome, where it appears in the writings of Herodotus and Ovid; medieval Christianity, in which it came to embody the resurrection; and in Europe during the Renaissance, when it was a popular emblem of royals. Nigg examines the various phoenix traditions, the beliefs and tales associated with them, their symbolic and metaphoric use, and their appearance in religion, bestiaries, and even contemporary popular culture, in which the ageless bird of renewal is employed as a mascot and logo. “An exceptional work of scholarship.”—Publishers Weekly




The Myth of the Phoenix According to Classical and Early Christian Traditions


Book Description

Preliminary material -- INTRODUCTION -- THE EGYPTIAN BENU AND THE CLASSICAL PHOENIX -- A COPTIC TEXT ON THE PHOENIX -- THE NAME PHOENIX -- LIFESPAN AND APPEARANCES -- THE DEATH AND REBIRTH OF THE PHOENIX -- THE PHOENIX AS BIRD OF THE SUN -- THE ABODE -- THE FOOD -- THE SEX -- THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MYTH OF THE PHOENIX SOME CONCLUSIONS -- THE PHOENIX IN CLASSICAL AND EARLY CHRISTIAN ART -- BIBLICAL AND JEWISH TEXTS -- CORRIGENDA ET ADDENDA -- Maps I and II.




David and the Phoenix


Book Description

David has no greater wish than to explore the mountains behind his new home in North Carolina and as he does he finds a wonder never dreamed of, the Phoenix. The Phoenix introduces David to an endless list of his friends from mythology and in the process opens David's eyes to the wide world both the unseen world and seen world. In the unseen world David and the Phoenix share many adventures all the while a scientist is trying to capture the Phoenix to prove to the world that the bird is real. The phoenix takes David on "educational field trips" to meet sea monsters, fauns and other creatures. Plus they hatch a hysterical plot to scare off an over eager scientist from the phoenix's trail. David learns some valuable lessons about life, one is that nothing remains the same as one grows up. The other is... well perhaps you should read the book yourself and find your own lessons within the pages. A well written story, "David and the Phoenix" has no particular time setting so that it could very well be placed in current time. It brings back to me memories of times when life was much simpler, more pleasant and without the problems we as adults face. It's a story of childhood and the dreams that children of every age share and which we all to soon leave behind. Of course, there is the traditional fiery death of the phoenix in the story.




Austronesian Myth or History?


Book Description

Listen to the story told by our ancestors in the myths and legends, treasured and preserved through the ages. A narrative passed on through words and graphic images that come to life as we shine a light on our past in order to understand the present, and prepare for our future.




Escaping Fort


Book Description

Escaping Fort is about two siblings, Kabir and Sania who were raised in a village. They both were the offspring of Ajay, the village panchayat head and Brinda, his uneducated wife. Sania was a bad omen because she was a female, according to her aunt Kamala, and Kabir was the most useless child, according to his father. Kabir received a job application from the capital and headed there. He visited the Siri Fort and went inside another dark world. Kabir and Sania meet in a different world with the help of Gatik, an old man in Siri Fort. Kabir proves he is not just a kid from garbage as his dad says that he is of no use to him. The story revolves around how they fight against the evil creatures for protecting their family.




Cursed


Book Description

Sophie has to help Drake, the phoenix griffin, with his dark fire and do it without losing who she is and become dark herself. Will she be able to succeed where others have failed miserably? Spirit fae, Sophie Emerson, has a lot of magical problems on her plate. Problems that can lead to a lot of troubles and probably a beheading if the Seelie Court finds out what she is hiding. To make matters worse, she has to find the cure for dark fire, otherwise, she will lose the love of her life, Drake Evans, the phoenix griffin. She also needs to find her fated-bond-creature before her magic destroys her body. Seems like nothing much has changed for this fae. The only difference is she wouldn’t change her life for anything in this world. Thank you very much.




A Field Guide to Griffins, Unicorns, and Other Mythical Beasts


Book Description

What should you do if you meet a unicorn or a phoenix? Where would you look if you want to see a griffin or a hippogriff? How do you defend yourself if a minotaur or harpy attacks you? These mythical beasts may not be real, but what if they were? This handy field guide gives you everything you need to understand these fantastic creatures of the imagination.




The White Gryphon


Book Description

It has been ten years since the magical Cataclysm, which destroyed the twin strongholds of the two world's most powerful Mages, killing Urtho, creator of the gryphons, and sending his forces into exile. Now Urthro's peoples--human and non-human alike live in a terraced city carved into the face of a gleaming white cliff on the edge of the Western Ocean. Secure at least, ...until the fleet of the mysterious Black Kings appears in their harbor, bringing envoys who inform the residents of White Gryphon that their newfound home lies on the northern perimeter of lands claimed by this powerful kingdom. Desperate not to lose their hard won home, Skandranon, along with his longtime friend Amberdrake--agree to accompany the envoys back to the Court of the Black Kings, hoping to negotiate an alliance. ...When a high ranking noble who opposes this alliance is found murdered--Skandranon and Amberdrake realize that they are up against unknown enemies who will stop at nothing, even the use of diabolical Blood Magic, to destroy White Gryphon.




A Creature of Moonlight


Book Description

Marni, a young flower seller who has been living in exile, must choose between claiming her birthright as princess of a realm whose king wants her dead, or a life with the father she has never known--a wild dragon.