The sculpture 's upward thrust commemorates the collective memory of the citizens that have tenaciously rebuilt their city each time it has been devastated by war or natural disaster , most famously , the December 1908 earthquake . Nearly every building was leveled and thousands died . The mythological Phoenix bird , magically ascending from its own ashes , is a symbol of hope and renewal
December 1908 earthquake
1908 Messina earthquake
LaFenice