No Fear Friday: Phoenix

Welcome to No Fear Friday, where I good-natured-ly make fun of bad artwork from the Middle Ages, to hopefully inspire those interested in the scribal arts to give it a try. This week:

Phoenix

So, before you do ANYTHING else. Stop and go to this link right here: 


For those that didn't listen to me, you are missing one of the greatest threads to ever come across tumblr. It's all about how the myth of the majestic phoenix was originally inspired by this flame-colored bird that nests in acidic, African volcanic soda lakes. That's right...

These guys:

image
Majestic

I need you to properly appreciate this, because I am going to beat this particular joke so very deep into the ground...

Flamingo-Like

Tayibat al-Imam Mosaic Floor A.D. 442 from Franciscan Archaeological Institute
Tayibat al-Imam Mosaic Floor A.D. 442 from Franciscan Archaeological Institute

One of the earliest depictions of a Phoenix I could find, and it is kinda flamingo-like. Just with a flaming head instead of flaming feathers. 

Morgan Library, MS M.81, Folio 62v When the phoenix reaches the age of five hundred years, it flies to a frankincense tree and fills its wings with spices. The phoenix then lights a fire and is consumed by it. The next day a small, sweet-smelling worm is found in the ashes. On the second day the worm has transformed into a small bird, and on the third has the form of the phoenix again.
Morgan Library, MS M.81, Folio 62v

Also Flamingo like, and has the same derpy majestic expression.

Bibliothèque Municipale de Troyes, MS 177, Folio 156v A phoenix, looking more like a goose, showing none of its fiery habits.
Bibliothèque Municipale de Troyes, MS 177, Folio 156v

Long flamingo neck and red feathers.  

Grootseminarie Brugge, MS. 89/54, Folio 77b A phoenix with golden wings.
Grootseminarie Brugge, MS. 89/54, Folio 77b

Also with the long neck. And look at the strut on this guy. He is totally rocking those golden wings and he knows it. So Majestic.

Not Flamingo-Like

Because at some point the source material got lost. 

Bibliothèque Nationale de France, lat. 6838B, Folio 24r
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, lat. 6838B, Folio 24r

Yes, you may behold my magnificence!

"Le feniex qui s'art et de sa sendre naist uns autres"- The phoenix is consumed and another is born from the ashes. BN de France, fr. 1951, Folio 13r
BN de France, fr. 1951, Folio 13r

Hey! don't forget to behold my magnificence while you are at it!

Illumination from the manuscript “Bestiary”, ms. Harley 4751, c. 45v, 13th century, British Library, London.
Harley 4751, c. 45v, 13th century, British Library, London.

Sometimes it's hard contemplating my own magnificence, so I need to set myself on fire.

Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 1633 4º, Folio 37v A phoenix rising from the still-glowing ashes of the fire that consumed its previous incarnation.
Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 1633 4º, Folio 37v

This one is totally over people beholding it's magnificence.

Medieval Bestiary : Phoenix Gallery
Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 1633 4º, Folio 37r

 And this one is kinda angry about it. "I'm just trying to get reborn here, do you mind?"

Are you sure that's not a....

Bodleian Libraries | Magical Beasts
Bodleian Library
Majestic Crow 

Phoenix, wings raised, sitting amid flames | Book of Hours | Italy, Lombardy | ca. 1475-1500 | The Morgan Library & Museum
Book of Hours | Italy, Lombardy | ca. 1475-1500 | The Morgan Library & Museum

Majestic Pelican

Sancti Patris nostri Epiphanii, episcopi Constantiae Cypri, Ad Physiologum...., page 41, 16th century engraving by Pieter van der Borcht.
16th century engraving by Pieter van der Borcht

Majestic Chicken

Majestic Feathers

Medieval Bestiary : Phoenix Gallery
Museum Meermanno, MMW, 10 B 25, Folio 31r
A phoenix with a magnificent long crest builds its funeral pyre from small…
Museum Meermanno, MMW, 10 B 25, Folio 30v

Look at those head crests! Fancy! Just ignore that weird overlarge beak nostril. The majestic head feathers is what counts.

Faune - phénix | by renzodionigi
Livre des propriétés des choses vers 1445-1450. Traduction de Jean Corbichon Paris, BNF

Such beautiful multi-colored floof! 

Fitzwilliam Museum, MS 254, Folio 27r A multi-colored phoenix stands on its burning nest.
Fitzwilliam Museum, MS 254, Folio 27r A

But why just do multi-colored when you can do stripes! Magnificent, Majestic stripes!

The Most Magnificent

Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, KA 16, Folio 83v A phoenix with a crown-like crest burns itself up in its funeral pyre.
Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, KA 16, Folio 83v

.........Majestic

Next post in the series: TBD

Previous post in the series: Proportions

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