The Flaming Phoenix features an image of a multicoloured phoenix rising from or bursting into flames. This painting takes strong inspiration from illuminated manuscripts, with its vibrant colours and intricate border details. The Phoenix is a historic symbol of rebirth and regeneration. Medieval bestiaries often combined animal folklore with Christian allegory, the phoenix ‘rising from the ashes’ in particular is often seen to parallel the death and rebirth of Jesus. Contrastingly, in Chinese folklore the phoenix or fenghuang is a symbol of virtue and grace. In The Classic of Mountains and Seas each part of the phoenix’s body is meant to represent a particular word. The head represents virtue, the wing represents duty, the back represents propriety, the abdomen represents credibility and the chest represents mercy. In some contexts, the appearance of a fenghuang marked the beginning of a new era so whilst the fenghuang doesn’t have the same fiery rebirth as it  does in western mythology it is still a distinctive symbol of renewal and new beginnings.

- Hannah Lim