The phoenix is a huge swan-sized bird. They are scarlet and have a long golden tail, beak and talons. They first appear in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
About[]
The phoenix is a kind creature. They have the ability to regenerate when they get old and their body starts to fail.[2] In the prime of their lives, they are a very handsome, scarlet and golden bird. They are the size of a swan and their long tails and talons are a glittering gold. They have a long, sharp golden beak, golden claws and beady black eyes.[1] Towards the end of a life, they look frail for days to the point that it resembles a half-plucked chicken. It will burst into a flame and be reborn the size of a newborn, wrinkled chick.[3]
Their tears have powerful healing properties and will save a person who is poisoned by a Basilisk. They eat herbs and aren't known to kill.[2] They are capable of bearing very heavy loads[1] and are very loyal pets.[3] The phoenix is a songbird and it's song sounds unearthly and spine-tingling.[4] The song is magical and reputed to increase the courage of those who are pure of heart and strike fear into those who aren't.[2] Harry thought it felt like his heart had swelled up twice its size when he heard a phoenix singing.[4] They also have the ability to vanish in a puff of feathers and reappear elsewhere when threatened.[2]
Phoenixes live very high up on mountain peaks that cannot be reached without magic. For this reason, they are not noticed by Muggles and do not break Clause 73 of the International Statute of Secrecy.[5] They are not aggressive but have a high Ministry of Magic classification because very few wizards have ever been able to domesticate a phoenix.[2]
History[]
Before the wizarding world lived in secret, the phoenix was known in the Muggle world and was recorded in art and literature. Even though the wizarding world has lived in secret for centuries, the phoenix is an enduring legend.[6] Few wizards have ever domesticated it. The Augurey is called the Irish Phoenix.[2]
Known phoenixes[]
Trivia[]
- A phoenix appears sense when a person is loyal to their companion. Fawkes knew Harry Potter was being loyal to Albus Dumbledore in the Chamber of Secrets and was able to find him and knew he needed help.[4]
Notes and sources[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 17
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: An A-Z of Fantastic Beasts (Phoenix)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 12
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 18
- ↑ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Introduction (Magical Beasts in Hiding)
- ↑ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Introduction (A Brief History of Muggle Awareness of Fantastic Beasts)