Phoenix, the divine sun-colored bird

Phoenix is a magical bird that has no direct parents but springs from its own seed when the life cycle is complete. It is described as divine, equal to gods, and needs no food to satisfy hunger or water to satisfy thirst. The sun is his source of life. Alternatively, it is said by Ovid that it does not live either on grain or herbs, but only on small drops of frankincense and juices of amomum. The bird shines the colour of the sun, its crest shines with the sun's own light and shatters the darkness with its calm brilliance. Its size is the same of an eagle, has feathers of gold and red colours. A mysterious fire flashes from its eye, and a flaming aureole enriches its head.

The Resurrection

It is said that when Phoenix realises his life is nearly over after 500 years or nine generations of aged men, he gathers dry herbs from the sun-warmed hills, collects branches of the precious tree of Saba and makes a pyre which shall be at once his tomb and his cradle. Then he is eventually reborn with the help of the Sun who looks after this sacred bird who does not fear to be burned as from the ashes he rises again in the youthful form. Ovid tells us a similar story, saying that when Phoenix completes his 500 years life he builds a nest among palm branches and supplies himself with particular spices, he lies down and refuses life among those dreamful odors. Then from the body od dying bird springs forth a little Phoenix who is destined to live for many years. When the transformation is complete, he commemorates his father by carrying the remains of the nest, where resurrection has happened, and flies to Egypt to the temple of the Helios where he buries the remains of his father. This place in Egypt is Heliopolis, the sacred place of Helios. Ovid mentiones the same place just names it differently, according to him it is the city and temple of Hyperion.

Home of Phoenix

the home of this divine bird is said to be in the furthest East, beyond the Indes as far as the Ocean`s stream goes where Eos, the dawn, first approaches. There is a leafy wood where Phoenix dwells in solitude defended by the inhospitable nature of the land.