A supernatural bird with the ability to live forever by recreating itself from its own ashes.

Described as having extraordinary golden plumage around its neck, with a purple body, and a tail of azure and rose, most like a peacock.

It is said that no person has ever seen this bird eat but it is supposed to make meat of clean grains and fruits. It loves the wilderness and is sacred to the sun.

There is only one phoenix in all the world, it lives for 300 or 500 years then it builds a nest of dry, aromatic sticks and waits for the hot summer sun to catch it on fire. When the fire is going strong, the phoenix lays itself on the nest and is burnt to ashes.

Three days later a little worms emerges from the ashes, it becomes feathered, grows wings, and eventually takes the shape of a new young phoenix. It will be the fairest of all birds.

As soon as it is able, the young phoenix performs funeral rights for its mother, then deposits the ashes on an alter of divinity.

Each time a new phoenix is born, a new age begins.

Also known as the firebird, or as bennu (Egyptian), feng huang (Chinese), and huma (Persian).

References

Bartholomaeus, & Trevisa, John, & Steele, Robert. Translated by John Trevisa. Medieval Lore. E. Stock, 1893.

Bostock, John. The Natural History of Pliny. London: George Bell & Sons, 1890.

See Also: Creatures by Type: Birds