Somebirds are very well known. A few are even legendary.

Theancient Greeks and Egyptians described a mythical bird called the Phoenix, amagnificent creature that was a symbol of renewal and rebirth.

Accordingto legend, each Phoenix lived for 500 years, and only one Phoenix lived at atime. Just before its time was up, the Phoenix built a nest and set itself onfire. Then, a new Phoenix would rise from the ashes.

Boththe Greeks and Egyptians associated the phoenix with the sun. One myth says thedawn song of the Phoenix was so beautiful, the sun god Apollo would stop hischariot- and the sun- to listen.

Ancientsources differ on the bird’s size and color. Some say it was the size of aneagle; others, bigger than an ostrich- with bright red and gold or maybe evenpurple feathers. All agree it- definitely had a golden aura. And in everyversion, it was exotic, literally one of a kind.

PoetWallace Stevens imagined the mythical “gold-feathered bird” perched in a palmtree. He wrote:

“Thebird sings. Its feathers shine.

Thepalm stands on the edge of space.

Thewind moves slowly in the branches.

Thebird’s fire-fangled feathers dangle down.”