Mythical creatures and monsters
Phoenix
In Greek mythology, the phoenix represents the mythical bird that burns at the end of its life and is reborn from its ashes.
It is sometimes depicted with a halo, which emphasizes the bird's connection to the Sun. This is confirmed by images where the Phoenix has seven rays at its head, like Helios.
The phoenix is considered a symbol of rebirth. However, its appearance is not entirely clear. Tacitus claims that its colour stands out above all other birds. According to Herodotus, it was reddish yellow, which is considered the most common appearance. Size-wise, it is often compared to an eagle, but some sources say it was even larger than an ostrich.
According to Herodotus, the old phoenix flies once every 500 years to the temple at Heliopolis, where it burns up and is reborn as a young bird.