# The Phoenix — The Phoenix and the Carpet character guide > The Phoenix in The Phoenix and the Carpet by E. Nesbit. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Phoenix, a Phoenix, the missing Phoenix, Good old beautiful Phoenix, O Golden Phoenix, Christmas, old Phoenix, dear Phoenix, Great Phoenix, O Phoenix **First appearance:** 0002-i-the-egg ## Snapshot A golden bird of calm approval and sleepy politeness, hatched from an egg and endlessly willing to pop out and see what can be done. ## Who they are The Phoenix is the children's guide and resident expert on Bosh, magic carpets, and the importance of keeping one wish in reserve for emergencies. It is vain, courteous, easily bored, and unexpectedly tender about Robert, in whose Norfolk raiment it once nestled. Its calm pronouncements and sudden flights turn ordinary nursery troubles into adventures, and its willingness to fetch the lost Lamb shows that beneath the gold plumage it is genuinely fond of its small, noisy hosts. ## Relationships ### [Cyril](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/cyril) _friendship_ Cyril develops a close bond with the magical Phoenix, often treating it as a wise and amusing companion in their escapades. ### [Anthea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/anthea) _friendship_ Anthea shares a respectful and caring friendship with the Phoenix, often seeking its advice and protecting it from harm. ### [Robert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/robert) _friendship_ Robert interacts with the Phoenix with a mix of curiosity and boyish enthusiasm, enjoying its magical abilities and stories. ### [Jane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/jane) _friendship_ Jane is somewhat wary of the Phoenix at first but grows to appreciate its magical presence and gentle wisdom. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/mother) _social_ Mother is aware of the Phoenix but interacts with it only peripherally, treating it as a strange but harmless visitor. ### [Cyril](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/cyril) _friendship_ Cyril develops a close bond with the magical Phoenix, often treating it as a wise and amusing companion in their escapades. ### [Robert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/robert) _friendship_ Robert interacts with the Phoenix with a mix of curiosity and boyish enthusiasm, enjoying its magical abilities and stories. ### [Anthea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/anthea) _friendship_ Anthea shares a respectful and caring friendship with the Phoenix, often seeking its advice and protecting it from harm. ### [Jane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/jane) _friendship_ Jane is somewhat wary of the Phoenix at first but grows to appreciate its magical presence and gentle wisdom. ### [Anthea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/anthea) _friendship_ Anthea shares a respectful and caring friendship with the Phoenix, often seeking its advice and protecting it from harm. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/mother) _social_ Mother is aware of the Phoenix but interacts with it only peripherally, treating it as a strange but harmless visitor. ### [Robert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/robert) _friendship_ Robert interacts with the Phoenix with a mix of curiosity and boyish enthusiasm, enjoying its magical abilities and stories. ## In the story ### [The Phoenix and the Carpet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/the-phoenix-and-the-carpet) Hatches from the egg and explains the carpet's magical properties. ### [The Egg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/i-the-egg) Hatches from the egg on the carpet; explains its past and the carpet's magic. ### [The Topless Tower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/ii-the-topless-tower) Hatches from the egg; brings food to the children; leaves to find a way to help them escape. ### [The Queen Cook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/iii-the-queen-cook) Translates the natives' language and advises the children; goes missing after the adventure. ### [IV: Two Bazaars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/iv-two-bazaars) Requests a week's rest and hides, so is absent during the bazaar events. ### [The Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/v-the-temple) Found on the hot water cylinder; advises giving the carpet a rest; leads the children to its temple at the Phoenix Fire Office; participates in the ceremony. ### [VI: Doing Good](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/vi-doing-good) Accompanies the children as a Christmas treat; chides Robert for frightening his sisters; suggests asking the name of the castle's owner. ### [VII: Mews from Persia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/vii-mews-from-persia) Advises the children on using the carpet, helps with washing up, and hides in Robert's jacket from the cats. ### [VIII: The Cats, the Cow, and the Burglar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/viii-the-cats-the-cow-and-the-burglar) Cleverly distracts the policeman by screaming 'murder' outside, then returns. ### [IX: The Burglar's Bride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/ix-the-burglar-s-bride) Scolds the children for damaging the carpet and suggests rescuing the burglar. ### [X: The Hole in the Carpet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/x-the-hole-in-the-carpet) Sheds crystal tears of sympathy; warns about wishing on the carpet; advises on the purse dilemma; points out the danger of the hole; suggests getting the Psammead's help. ### [XI: The Beginning of the End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/xi-the-beginning-of-the-end) Emerges from the cupboard; offers wisdom; uses fire power to save the children and repair theatre damage. ### [The End of the End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/xii-the-end-of-the-end) Announces its departure; asks for the carpet remains; burns the carpet in a funeral pyre; leaves a tiny golden feather as a last token. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/the_phoenix - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters