Alchemical Phoenix

Five birds were used to symbolize the various stages in alchemy: the Crow, Swan, Peacock, Pelican, and the archetypal Phoenix. The ancient symbol of the Phoenix signified the final stage of renewal and resurrection, the completion of the soul to the highest spiritual attainment.

Redrawn from Vlyssis Aldrovand’s book of woodcuts: History of Monsters: “Gallus Indicus auratus tridactactylus.”