The phoenix is a bird that has extremely bright yellow, orange, and red plumage that has been a symbol of life after death, or immortality since the time of the Egyptians. The reason being it resurrects itself from its ashes. After building a nest, or in some fictions without one, the phoenix sets itself and the nest on fire and burns the whole thing. From the ashes it emerges as a young fledgling or a brighter colored bird. Some say they are immortal and some think that the burning is only to clean their feathers.
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