The Golden Eagle and The Phoenix, part of my series created for Chinatown, The Bison And The Dragon: Untold Tales.
The Golden Eagle and The Phoenix
In the tradition of Yin and Yang, which describes opposite but interconnected forces, Yang is the masculine and Yin is the feminine. In Chinese mythology, Yang is often represented by The Dragon and Yin by The Phoenix or Fènghuáng. Fittingly this phoenix flies alongside the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association (CIWA) building. Within the western world the phoenix is often thought of as a symbol of rebirth, and although the Chinese Phoenix does not go through the same cyclical regeneration as the mythological Greek creature who shares its namesake, it can still mark the beginning of a new era. As well, it is a symbol of honesty, truth, majesty, strength, courage, wisdom, power and freedom. Showing it in flight also evokes the idea of the travels women have made to this country, and the immigrant story they share with the early Chinese that came here.
Like The Dragon, The Phoenix is often thought of as being an amalgamation of multiple animals or birds. In recent times it is often depicted possessing the head of a golden pheasant. Instead of a golden pheasant, here it has the head of a different golden bird, the golden eagle, a powerful bird that is significant to the Plains First Nations people. The selection of animals depicted within this series of artworks were inspired by conversations had with Elders Cindy Daniels (Stoney Nakoda Nation) and Rod Scout (Siksika Nation), who graciously shared their stories and knowledge.
The Golden Eagle and The Phoenix can be viewed in Chinatown at 138 4 Ave SE 200, Calgary, AB
photo by Jiaqi (Sukie) Su
The Golden Eagle and The Phoenix
In the tradition of Yin and Yang, which describes opposite but interconnected forces, Yang is the masculine and Yin is the feminine. In Chinese mythology, Yang is often represented by The Dragon and Yin by The Phoenix or Fènghuáng. Fittingly this phoenix flies alongside the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association (CIWA) building. Within the western world the phoenix is often thought of as a symbol of rebirth, and although the Chinese Phoenix does not go through the same cyclical regeneration as the mythological Greek creature who shares its namesake, it can still mark the beginning of a new era. As well, it is a symbol of honesty, truth, majesty, strength, courage, wisdom, power and freedom. Showing it in flight also evokes the idea of the travels women have made to this country, and the immigrant story they share with the early Chinese that came here.
Like The Dragon, The Phoenix is often thought of as being an amalgamation of multiple animals or birds. In recent times it is often depicted possessing the head of a golden pheasant. Instead of a golden pheasant, here it has the head of a different golden bird, the golden eagle, a powerful bird that is significant to the Plains First Nations people. The selection of animals depicted within this series of artworks were inspired by conversations had with Elders Cindy Daniels (Stoney Nakoda Nation) and Rod Scout (Siksika Nation), who graciously shared their stories and knowledge.
The Golden Eagle and The Phoenix can be viewed in Chinatown at 138 4 Ave SE 200, Calgary, AB
photo by Jiaqi (Sukie) Su