This article contains spoilers for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore finally reveals why Albus Dumbledore named his alliance The Order of the Phoenix. Introduced in the fifth Harry Potter novel, the Order of the Phoenix was formed by Dumbledore to serve as the wizarding world's defense against the darkest, most powerful sorcerers. Readers initially believed they were created to help Dumbledore oppose Voldemort, with Harry's parents Lily and James Potter serving as members of the Order's first incarnation, but the Fantastic Beasts films have revealed a far longer history of the organization.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald strongly suggested the first Order of the Phoenix was established decades earlier, as Dumbledore struggled to figure out how to navigate the blood pact he shared with Grindelwald. That film revealed the phoenix is the traditional symbol of the Dumbledore family, making the group's name seem rather egotistical. Fortunately, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore has added a new wrinkle to the franchise's mythology, explaining exactly why Dumbledore would believe it was appropriate to call his group the Order of the Phoenix.

Related: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald's Ending & Twists Explained

The phoenix has always been considered one of the most powerfully magical creatures in the wizarding world. Dumbledore's beloved pet phoenix, Fawkes, was a recurring character in his own right, and played a key role in saving Harry's life from a basilisk. Grindelwald had claimed the phoenix's presence around Credence proved he was a Dumbledore, but it seems he was telling a half-truth, because in reality the phoenix kept returning to Credence because they are drawn to provide strength and comfort for those who are dying. This new twist adds a powerful degree of symbolism to the name Order of the Phoenix, because the name means they are the ones who step in when all that is right and good in the world is in grave danger of dying. There's still a degree of egocentrism to Dumbledore's decision to give the group this name, but it certainly has a deeper double meaning.

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The Order of the Phoenix seems to have been a constant force throughout the 20th century, operating without government supervision, and often irritating various Ministers of Magic, such as Bill Nighy's Rufus Scrimgeour. In Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, the proto-Order played a key role in preventing the entire wizarding world from coming under the rule of Gellert Grindelwald, and later versions waged war against Voldemort and his Death-Eaters. Many members of the Order of the Phoenix paid a heavy price for opposing the darkest wizards, but it was one they were willing to pay.

It's quite possible the Order of the Phoenix died shortly after Albus Dumbledore. The years after Voldemort's final defeat seem to have been relatively peaceful, interrupted only by the events of Harry Potter & the Cursed Child, meaning the group would have gradually faded into the history books. Ironically, the true nature of phoenixes - hinted at in Dumbledore's pet Fawkes, but now officially confirmed - is probably common knowledge among the wizarding community, meaning anyone who reads said history books will immediately know the reason behind the Order's name. Still, at least viewers have finally learned the truth in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

More: Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts Movie Order (Release & Chronological)