phoenix
Sign in to savelong-lived bird that is cyclically regenerated or reborn in Arabian, East Asian, and Greco-Roman mythology
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A phoenix is a legendary bird that appears in the myths of ancient Arabia, East Asia, and Greece and Rome, known for its ability to be reborn or regenerated in a cycle throughout its long life. The phoenix matters because it's a recurring symbol across multiple ancient cultures, making it an important figure in understanding how different civilizations imagined immortality and renewal.
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Article
A depiction of a phoenix by Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1806)
The phoenix (sometimes spelled phenix in American English; see spelling differences) is a legendary immortal bird that cyclically regenerates or is otherwise born again. Originating in Greek mythology, it has analogs in many cultures, such as Egyptian and Persian mythology. Associated with the Sun, a phoenix obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. Some legends say it dies in a show of flames and combustion, while others say that it simply burns to death and decomposes before being born again. In the Motif-Index of Folk-Literature, a tool used by folklorists, the phoenix is classified as motif B32.