The Fairies and Knights have been renamed "Phoenix" This is more majestic to us than a simple Fairy or Knight and is also gender neutral. It also has a lot more meaning. Phoenix Fabulous bird that periodically regenerated itself, used in literature as a symbol of death and resurrection. According to legend, the phoenix lived in Arabia; when it reached the end of its life (500 years), it burned itself on a pyre of flames, and from the ashes a new phoenix arose. As a sacred symbol in Egyptian religion, the phoenix represented the sun, which dies each night and rises again each morning. According to Herodotus the bird was red and golden and resembled an eagle. Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2002. ALSO phoenix Phenix \Phe"nix\, n.; pl. Phenixes. [L. phoenix, Gr. foi^nix.] [Written also ph[oe]nix.] 1. (Gr. Myth.) A bird fabled to exist single, to be consumed by fire by its own act, and to rise again from its ashes. Hence, an emblem of immortality. 2. (Astron.) A southern constellation. 3. A marvelous person or thing. [R.] --Latimer. Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

MORE ON THE PHOENIX The Phoenix in China: In China the phoenix (si ling) was one of a number of animals that were worshipped. A common depiction was of it attacking snakes with its talons and its wings spread. In fact images of the phoenix has appeared in China for over 7000 years. Often in jade and originally on good-luck totems. Although during the Han period (2200 years ago) the phoenix was used as a symbol depicting the direction south shown as a male and female phoenix facing each other. It was also used to symbolize the Empress in a pairing with a dragon where the dragon represents the Emperor. Here the phoenix represented power sent from the heavens to the Empress. If a phoenix was used to decorate a house it symbolized that loyalty and honesty was in the people that lived there. It was also believed that a phoenix controlled the 5 tones of Chinese music and that it represented the Confucian virtues of loyalty, honesty, decorum and justice. Depictions of the phoenix were placed on tombs and graves. Also jewellery with a phoenix on it showed that the wearer was a person of high moral values. This jewellery was only to be worn by people of importance. The Phoenix in Egypt:In Egypt the phoenix was usually depicted as a heron, but also as a peacock or an eagle. The brilliantly red and golden plumed Bennu was the sacred bird of Heliopolis. Identified as a heron with its long straight back and head adorned at the back with two erect feathers, the Bennu was later named Phoenix by the Greeks. The Bennu lived on the ben-ben stone or obelisk within the sanctuary of Heliopolis and was worshipped alongside Ra and Osiris. It was said to create itself from the fire that burned on the top of the sacred Persea tree in Heliopolis. The sun rose in the form of the Bennu each morning. Bennu was also considered a manifestation of Osiris, said to spring from his heart as a living symbol of the god. The Bennu symbolizes rebirth as it rises from the ashes, just as the new sun rises from the old.

NEWSFLASH CHESS TOURNAMENT

The Chess Tournament has started on Yahoo Messenger between members of the Knights and Ladies of Valor Guild. The first opponents were Spicy Sherrie and Neon_Neo. Spicy_Sherrie was the winner!!! All KALOV guild members wanting to participate must add oasis or neonto their yahoo messenger buddy list. The yahoo ID of oasis is oasishypnosiscenter. You don't need to how to get the Chess system on yahoo messenger. Oasis knows how. Just add her and she will explain it to you. So if you love chess and want to play in the tournament, let's go! The first players are Oasis and Neon. The winner will play the next person on the list and so on. Winners will receive a codestone and a bottled faerie plus a plaque to add to their neopets shop!

First Players and Neon and SpicySherrie: Monday August 4th Winner: SpicySherrie!

---

NEWSFLASH NEW PET OF THE WEEK

CONGRATULATIONS wolfgirl262! your pet, Old_Glorie2 the Blue Ixi is "PET OF THE WEEK"!