» Phoenix

The Phoenix is commonly believed to have originated in Egypt and the Middle East. Also known by Egyptians as the Bennu, the Phoenix is typically depicted as having scarlet and gold plumage and to be approximately the same size as an eagle. Some say that the Phoenix's feathers are a dark red-purple (also suggesting that the name phoenix was derived from the greek word for purple) and that it has gold feathers around its neck.

The Phoenix is believed to live for 500 years and during that time it is the only one of its kind in existence. Once the Phoenix begins to feel old, it starts to build a nest, most commonly believed to be of cinnamon and spices, and crafts an egg made of myrrh (another belief on how the name phoenix came to be could be associated with the type of tree, a palm tree, on which the Phoenix builds its nest; the greek word for palm is phoinix). Then the Phoenix will sing to the sun and incinerate itself. Out of the ashes a new Phoenix is born. Once it gains enough strength, it places the remains of its parent into the myrrh egg, reseals it, and then carries the egg off to Heliopolis to be placed on the Altar of the Sun.

The Phoenix is not believed to actually eat anything to survive. Instead it survives on beautiful aromas (that perhaps being the reason for the spices and cinnamon that make up its nest).

The Phoenix is also known for sounding very beautiful and it's believed that when the Phoenix sings, the sun stops to listen.

Because of the strong symbolism of resurrection and life from death, it's easy to see why the Egyptians were fascinated by it.