Philomena

Philomeena is Princess Celestia's pet phoenix. She is a central character in A Bird in the Hoof. Philomeena's name is of Greek origin, meaning "powerful love".

Production and storyboard
The name's English spelling is Philomena, though on the show's storyboard by Sabrina Alberghetti it shows up as "Philemena". One of Hasbro's online coloring pages spells the name "Philomeena".

Depiction in the series
"She is quite a sight, isn't she?"

- Celestia referring to Philomeena

Philomeena appears in A Bird in the Hoof, introduced at the party held at Sugarcube Corner in honor of Princess Celestia's visit. Fluttershy, worried at the sickly state of the bird, takes Philomeena from Princess Celestia without permission to heal it. Throughout the episode, Fluttershy tries desperately to heal Philomeena, but she has never seen a bird quite like it and all her attempted treatments seem to make its condition worse. The bird eventually escapes, leading Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle into a chase around Ponyville to catch her. Eventually they find her. But when she loses her last feather, she bursts into flames, burns to ashes, and rises again, renewed.

"I'm afraid mischievous little Philomeena here took the occasion to have a little fun with you, Fluttershy. Say you're sorry, young lady."

- Celestia scolding Philomeena

Princess Celestia explains to Fluttershy that Philomeena, like all phoenixes, plucks all her feathers and burns into ashes at the end of her life cycle, only to rise from the ashes and renew herself.

Later Rainbow Dash gets Philomeena to tickle the Royal guards on the nose as a prank, when it is successful she gives Rainbow Dash a high five.

Gallery

 * Philomeena image gallery