Phoenix

   Tattoo the pristine flesh
   What is permanent anyway?
   This ink only lasts 'til the grave,
   Skin and ideas decompose
   That which we did compose.

   -Corri Alius

The legendary Phoenix. The popularity of this type of tattoo has been rising like it’s proverbial origin, only to inevitably perish in a fiery paroxysm of clichés. However, when done with the right idea, intention and artist, this type of tattoo can reach beyond the cliché and rejuvenate the ledged with artistry.

Tales of the phoenix appear in mythology from numerous origins. In Greek and Egyptian tales, the phoenix represents the sun, dying in flames at the end of the day and rising each morning. Early Christians came to view the flight of the phoenix as a symbol of rebirth and the resurrection. Jewish ledged describes the phoenix as the one creature that did not leave paradise with Adam, and that its legendary longevity is due to abstaining from the forbidden fruit that tempted the ‘first man.’ On Roman coins, the phoenix represented an undying empire.

As a tattoo symbol, it is often associated with feminine qualities, each part of its body representing a specific virtue. Duty, goodness, kindness and reliability are some of the lesser known aspects of the phoenix. The flame images that often accompany it represent purification and transformation through adversity.

In Japanese tattooing, the phoenix is often entwined with the dragon, symbolizing yin and yang, the harmonious combining of the best of the feminine and masculine virtues.