Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England Bristol 'Phoenix and the Four Elements'
AO Edited

'Phoenix and the Four Elements'

An alchemical monument that represents "Earth, Air, Fire, and Water."

Bristol, England

'Phoenix and the Four Elements'   David
'Phoenix and the Four Elements'   Xavixavir (Atlas Obscura User)
'Phoenix and the Four Elements'   Xavixavir (Atlas Obscura User)
'Phoenix and the Four Elements'   Xavixavir (Atlas Obscura User)
"Air"   SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
"Water"   SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
"Fire"   SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
"Earth"   SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
'Phoenix and the Four Elements'   Thomas Nugent
'Phoenix and the Four Elements'   14GTR
'Phoenix and the Four Elements'   Xavixavir (Atlas Obscura User)
'Phoenix and the Four Elements'   Anders Sandberg
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

An enigmatic monument stands in front of the Freshford House building in Bristol, a bronze sculpture of the mythical phoenix spreading its wings. Its four-sided pedestal comes with reliefs that depict nude female figures representing the four elements and is rich in alchemical symbolism.

The earth elemental is depicted as a pregnant woman surrounded by orchids; air strides with pride, her hair flowing in the wind, water flows upstream, and fire seems to emerge from flames. The woman's face is hidden by the fire. Above them, the phoenix rises from its ashes, reborn as a new entity.

Coming across this sculpture, curious onlookers might wonder, what is the significance of such a statue? The truth, while uncertain, may be rather simple and lie in its origin. The monument was created by British artist Thomas Nugent in 1985, a commissioned piece from a company named Phoenix Assurance. The phoenix form was likely chosen due to the company's name The alchemical symbolism was the artist taking creative license in interpretation.

Related Tags

Design Art Sculptures

Know Before You Go

Kitty-corner/diagonal from St. Mary's Redcliffe Church, on the north-west section of the roundabout.

Community Contributors

Edited By

SEANETTA, Xavixavir

Published

January 3, 2022

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources

Nearby Places

Explore the Destination Guide

Related Places

  • ‘Minor Triumph’

    Seoul, South Korea

    ‘Minor Triumph’

    Children’s timeless joy is remembered in the fast-developing Myeongdong district of Seoul.

  • 'Buttbrunnen'

    Berlin, Germany

    'Buttbrunnen'

    Largely overlooked, this little fountain on Museum Island is a whimsical tribute to a Prussian king nicknamed the “Fatty Flounder.”

  • Stone Gargoyle Chair

    Durham, England

    Stone Gargoyle Chair

    An unusual stone chair can be found on the banks of the River Wear, not far from Durham Cathedral.

  • The Public Purse

    Melbourne, Australia

    'The Public Purse'

    This giant, granite purse is one of Melbourne's most unique and distinctive pieces of public art.

  • 'The Gorbals Boys'

    Glasgow, Scotland

    'The Gorbals Boys'

    A sculpture that commemorates an iconic photo of urban Scotland's past.

  • 'Molecule Men'

    Berlin, Germany

    'Molecule Man'

    This monumental work of art symbolizes the coming together of a previously divided city.

  • The Alauna Aura at night

    Maryport, England

    'Alauna Aura'

    This sculpture depicting the history of Maryport turns into a light show at night.

  • 'Out of the Earth'

    Leeds, England

    'Out of the Earth'

    Since 1995, two red-painted metal figures have guarded the entrance to the Northern Ballet.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads

Become a Member