Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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PHOENIX

A symbol of Christ's Resurrection. This fabled bird, a native of Arabia, after anticipating its own death and burning itself, in three days developed into a new bird. The legend easily established the phoenix as representing Christ's three days before Easter in the tomb. Emperor Constantine made use of this symbol by representing the phoenix on the coin of the realm.