Mystical Birds

Description

This work represents a couple of phoenix birds with several lotuses – which symbolizes love and immortality. These symbols are used in several cultures. In Chinese mythology, the mythical bird phoenix combines the five qualities of a respectable life: virtuousness, a sense of duty, blamelessness, humanity and dependability. In its symbolic grace and elegance, the phoenix was also a symbol reserved for an empress in China.

In Tibetan Buddhism, the phoenix is endowed with all of the magical qualities of auspiciousness: longevity, resurrection, the solar and alchemical fire. Many, many other ancient cultures and religions have also used this symbol – Lebanese, Egyptian, Greek and even Christians used it as a symbol for Christ to denote resurrection. Garuda is most similar to the phoenix in Indian mythology. I have used only two colors – Bengal Rose Pink and Silver to focus on the symbolism. This was inspired from a table mat design we saw at a restaurant in Dharamshala, and would like to acknowledge the ‘unknown’ artist.