Phoenix This mythical bird was first described by Hesiod in the th century BC Only one phoenix could exist at any one time As a phoenix neared the end of its life it would make a nest of aromatic branches and spices before setting it on fire From the ashes or the midst of the flames a new phoenix would emerge The ancient Eygptians linked the phoenix myth with their cultures longing for immortality while Clement of Rome was the first Christian to interpret the myth as an allegory of the ressurection and of life after death In Chinese mythology the phoenix is the symbol of virtue grace power and prosperity and it represents the union of yin and yang
