Matching 50 mythical creatures with each of the 50 states

'The champion of the people', 1784. Charles James Fox attacking a many-headed monster, raising the Sword of Justice above his head. Behind him are his supporters, English, Irish and Indians. (Photo by Guildhall Library & Art Gallery/Heritage Images/Getty Images) /

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Arizona: Phoenix

I am about to be so cliche (and I have no shame for it)! As soon as I hit Arizona, I knew that I had to have the Phoenix represent the state. It’s so obvious and so cliche, but it just works. And it has nothing to do with the city either.

The beauty of the Phoenix is that it is a bird of fire. And if you have ever spent a summer in Arizona, you know that there are times when it feels like the world is on fire, it is that hot. However, the legend of this bird is actually a thing of beauty, so I highly doubt that even being cliche, the people of Arizona are going to be terribly upset to be represented by a Phoenix.

So what makes this bird so amazing?

It is a symbol for many of hope, rebirth, and transformation. Known for succumbing to its own fire and burning down to ashes, the legendary bird was reborn mere days later. Just seeing a Phoenix is said to be good luck, and that these birds even have the ability to heal others with their own tears.

Honestly, these majestic creatures are beyond anything we could ever hope to come across, and yet they feel like the kind of creature that would happily represent the Copper State with wings spread wide and fire all around.

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