Help on symbolism

Hi guys,

i want to ask for your help regarding this symbol, i was not able to dig anything so far.

Symbol is on pottery piece.

Thanks

 

Hi,
Looks like peacocks to me.
greg

 

Thank you for your respond!

If to be more specific - this is not peacocks, this is "phoenixes", i am very much interested in surrounding symbolism.

Thank you one more time.

 

I don't know but please always enlarge your photos right off the bat.

 

Maybe you can show the whole piece?

 

I guess I'll go with Phoenix x 2. Odd thing is that the there are two... the phoenix in mythology is a single entity. So I thought briefly about the Quetzalcoatl... but that fellow has more head feathers, usually. The idea of "Two or Twin" phoenixes has been used in some modern games and emblems... not really sure what the inspiration is/was. I'm guessing you know about the "basic" phoenix, 2fat2slow...
A phoenix or phenix (Greek: φοῖνιξ phoinix) is a long-lived bird that is cyclically regenerated or reborn. Associated with the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor.
Cute name, btw, 2fat2slow!

 

My guess would be that the areas surrounding the phoenixes are purely decorative designs, not symbolic.
And it is true that in mythology there is only one phoenix, which uses rebirth as the method of procreation. One would not see a pair or a flock of them, or eggs.
But I'd think that here the duplication (I see four of them) is just for symmetry in design, not an indication that a flock is being depicted.

 

Dang, there ARE four! I economized the bottom two into the top two's tails!
That's sensible, Fakesie. Décor, not symbolism.

 

Hi,
There are four that is what made me think of peacocks. I usually see only one Phoenix at a time in decorations.
greg

 

I think we're landing soundly in the DECOR Department!

 

My vote are peacocks also.

--- Susan

 

Thank you guys for all your replays!

If to look "at it" this way - this old Chinese glazed pottery piece. Usually when it comes to Chinese pottery, nothing been painted with no reason..well in most of the cases everything "has" meaning and purpose to reflect something with paint art.

Maybe "Chinese" will add more options for your considerations regarding this, there is other side of this piece as well, different stuff there, but i would like to resolve this one for a start

Thanks

 

I have no problem with peacocks!

 

Article on the Chinese "phoenix" attached. In Chinese symbology it has to do with the union of Yin and Yang, and is symbolic of blissful relations between man and wife. The article also mentions additional symbology that may be found in the use of colors.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenghuang

 

Your tile looks like vintage California tiles from the 1920 ish pottery companies. And they called those tiles "moorish" or Spanish in design. Just geometric interpretation of objects of flora and fauna.

 

However, I see a cross with four mythical creatures.

 

Good eyes, Trip!

 

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar

 

Perhaps a photo of the back of this pottery piece would help.....I think it is not a tile.

 

Well, i guess i will have to "feed" hungry crowd of wolfs