Phoenix
The legendary phoenix of Greek mythology is a symbol of rebirth, eternally burning to ashes and then rising again, reborn anew.
The phoenix is a fiery bird whose feathers are often depicted as flickering flames. It is often associated with the sun, and is a symbol of death and rebirth, as it is reborn from the ashes when it burns up at the end of its previous life cycle.
The word “phoenix” comes from an ancient Greek word which may have meant “griffin”, and may have originally been borrowed from a West Semitic word for a red dye, referring to the bird’s fiery nature.
In Ancient Egyptian mythology, a similar bird called the “bennu” exists. It is not clear whether this bird influenced the Greeks’ creation of the phoenix, or the other way around.
The phoenix remains an important symbol of rebirth and rejuvenation. It appears on many examples of medieval European heraldry, and is depicted quite frequently in books, movies and other media.
William Shakespeare’s plays often mention phoenixes, and a phoenix appears in the popular Harry Potter fantasy book series.
The phoenix is also the mascot or emblem of many cities and universities.