Phoenix Tattoos

What does a phoenix tattoo mean?

The phoenix burns to ash and rises again, so a phoenix tattoo stands for rebirth, a fresh start and hope. The most familiar version comes from Greek legend; its likely ancestor is the Egyptian Bennu bird, linked to the sun god Ra. Related birds carry their own shades of meaning: the Chinese fenghuang never burns and stands for virtue and the union of yin and yang, while the Japanese ho-oh is said to appear in times of peace and prosperity. Many people choose a phoenix after illness, a breakup, a move or another turning point, as a reminder of their own resilience. The bird is usually drawn with spread wings wrapped in flame. Back pieces give room for a full wingspan; smaller versions sit on the shoulder or behind the ear. Styles run from bold traditional and watercolor to black and grey and dotwork.