Phoenix

[opaldragonfly at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 22795

Dear All--What we know of the Phoenix legend gives us cause to 
consider Dumbledor's nature and longevity.  The Phoenix lives for 500 
years at which point it self-immolates to rise as a young phoenix 
from its own ashes.  The legend states that the Phoenix had its 
origin in the city of Heliopolis (the center of ancient Egyptians' 
sun-worshipping practices).  The god which was sacrificed to was Benu-
-which was portrayed as a heron.  Apparently, later Greek writers 
wove this symbol in with the Golden Pheasant, the Eagle, the Chinese 
Feng-Huang, and other "fire" and "rebirth" stories.  (The Phoenix is 
also the name of the solar palm tree.)  
    The Phoenix is male, at the end of its life span, it builds an 
aromatic nest and is reborn three (3--the symbol of unity in 
diversity) days after self-immolation.  It supposedly carried the 
remains of the nest and ashes to the sun's altar at Heliopolis.
    It has come to represent longevity, reincarnation, undying 
empire, indepedence, and vast accumulated knowledge and wisdom.  In 
Alchemy, it was a motif representing a purifying and tansforming 
fire, the chemical element of sulphur, and the color red.  (Source:  
Symbols and Their Meanings, Tressider)
    Of course, Dumbledore is a Gryffindor, so red (a deep scarlet in 
this case) is his color.   He is long-lived, although we don't really 
know what is "normal" in the case of witches and wizards.  He seems 
to have accumulated all sorts of knowledge and I think we would view 
him as WISE.  Being loyal to him can call Fawkes to one's aid--HP and 
the COS.
  Of more interest to me, however, is the fact that Harry was "born 
again" from the ashes of his father and mother and his parents' 
house.  Seems to me a great deal like rising from the 
immolated "nest."  He brings himself "back" to Hogwarts at the 
appointed time.  Dumbledore and both James and Lily had been deeply 
committed friends--to the point that D. offered to be their "secret 
keeper."  James gave D. at least the Invisibility Cloak (perhaps 
other things to be revealed) for safe-keeping.  Dumbledore gradually 
reveals his knowledge and wisdom to Harry, thus mentoring him as the 
older and wiser "bird" to the young and vigorous "fledging."  Would 
Dumbledore and Harry each have the ability to turn into a phoenix?  
It is the enemy of serpents, or so the legend goes.
  One more thought--then I'll desist!  I think some of the Weasleys 
can transfigure into weasels!  (Rather than "bunnies") The color of 
their hair would match that of a weasel's fur and most animagi seem 
to have some distinguishing traits that match those of the creatures 
they turn into.  Thanks for listening!  Opal Dragonfly