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Pelikan Golden Phoenix (1996) - Asia Limited Edition

The second release of the Asia Limited Edition was the Golden Phoenix (1996), based on the Chinese phoenix motif.
 
The phoenix appears in many Western cultures and legend, such as Greek, Egyptian and Persian mythology, where the phoenix is an immortal bird that cyclically regenerates. Associated with the sun, it gains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. 

The phoenix of the East is somewhat different. The phoenix of Western legend resembles an eagle, while the phoenix of Eastern legend resembles a chicken or pheasant. Also, in traditional Chinese mythology, the phoenix is not said to be reborn from ashes. In Chinese tradition, the phoenix is also described as Fenghuang (鳳凰). The Chinese phoenix, or Fenghuang, is ​​a symbol of auspiciousness, prosperity, and a symbol of world peace. The ancients believed that when times were peaceful and prosperous, phoenixes would fly over. The Chinese phoenix is the king of all birds in ancient Chinese legends. Its status in Chinese culture is the same as that of the dragon. It
 has been often depicted with a male dragon (Fig.6). For generations, it has been regarded as a role model, especially for women, because it encompasses the traditionally idealized feminine qualities of modesty, fidelity, chastity, and compassion. In emphasizing the connection between the heavens and the imperial family, the phoenix has represented the empress, the ideal companion to the dragon, the symbol of the emperor, the son of heaven (
Shen Yun Performing Arts). Thus, the phoenix was the main decorative motif in costumes of the empresses of China. The cover picture of the pamphlet depicts the empress Xiaohuizhang (孝恵章皇后), the wife of the third Qing emperor, Shunzhi (順治帝). She was empress consort of the Qing from 1654 until her husband's death in 1661, after which she was honoured as Empress Dowager Renxian during the reign of her step-son, Xuanye, the Kangxi Emperor. She was posthumously honoured with the title empress Xiaohuizhang.

The pen paid tribute to the Chinese phoenix. It was crafted from resin of bright red symbolizing the Chinese phoenix, and featured an intricate vermeil phoenix against the matte black backdrop of the Toledo-style sleeve (
Bonhams). The name "Golden Phoenix" obviously  indicates that this pen was a counterpart to the "Golden Dynasty". Both the outer paper box and the inner wooden box are similar in design to the Golden Dynasty. However, the pamphlet and the certificate are red.

Golden Phoenix

My collection.

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