"In ancient Greek and Egyptian mythology, the phoenix is a mythical bird and associated with the Egyptian sun-god Ra and the Greek Phoibos (Apollo). There are many, many descriptions of this legendary bird. Some describe the phoenix as an eagle-sized bird; half eagle and half pheasant. Others say it is heron-like or a conglomeration of the most beautiful parts of all the birds in the world. Its name comes from the Greek word for "purple" because the phoenix is associated with fire and the sun. It has been described as golden or multi-colored. Some say it never eats. Others say it eats only dew. Most believe there is only one of its kind and it lives alone in Arabia or Ethiopia. All agree it is a bird of great beauty. The Phoenix enjoys immortality, which had to be renewed with fire every 500 or 1461 years (depending on the source). When the end of its life cycle drew near, the phoenix would gather aromatic herbs, woods, and spices from around the world with which to build its own funeral pyre or nest. Sitting in the nest, and having turned to face the rays of the sun, beating its wings, it deliberately fans the flames for itself and is consumed in the fire. Once the old body was consumed, the phoenix would be reborn from a worm, its marrow, or an egg found among the ashes and would embark on another 500 years of life. The bird was also said to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, thus being almost immortal and invincible. The phoenix symbolizes immortality, resurrection, and life after death." ~ info from Monstropedia, Phoenix Created for a contest on dA. Zoom in for larger size.