#1 [url]

Sep 14 07 5:38 AM

If you can't decide, you might look into mythology for another creature that has the best of both sides. There might be some, but I can't think of one right now (some kind of winged worm, where the worm is a symbol for rebirth and eternity).

BTW: the Phoenix has, IMHO, something mystic and holy. I think it's an old symbol for Jesus Christ, too. And there's only one Phoenix in classic mythology, it's not a species. The loneliness of the Phoenix is an issue in some stories.
And that one bird can't die. So, according to mythology, you can't turn into "a" Phoenix. And if, it's a very heavy theme you put on the shoulders of your hero.
Of course, you write fiction so you change some facts, but an altered Phoenix is to me not as cool als the one and only Phoenix.