The Phoenix is perhaps one of the most known and auspicious of Chinese mythological beings. It’s rare appearance is foretelling of harmony and played a key role in the creation of the cosmos. The Phoenix also represents immortality and both masculine and feminine qualities, transcending gender binaries and moving through time, space and lifetimes. My Phoenix has my partner’s top surgery scars, and has a intentional detailed cracks where I removed and replaced the chest as a ritual part of creating this piece. This piece was originally created in the Bay Area, but broke on the way to the kiln. While this is a part of ceramics I’m accustomed to, this accident was especially heartbreaking for me because this piece meant so much. It was the second of the four directional piece I originally made.