Phoenix

Phoenix, symbol of rebirth. Originally a mythical bird of ancient Egypt, it was sacred to the sun god Ra and worshipped at Helipolis. There was said to be only one phoenix in the universe at any one time; large as an eagle, brilliantly plumed, it lived 500 or more years, then made a pyre of aromatic boughs, consumed itself in the fire and rose reborn from its own ashes.

See also: Mythology.