The phoenix is a mythical sacred firebird that can be found in the mythologies of the Persians; Greeks; Romans; Egyptians; Chinese; and (according to Sanchuniathon) Phoenicians.

A phoenix is a mythical bird that is a fire spirit with a colorful plumage and a tail of gold and scarlet (or purple; blue; and green according to some legends). It has a 500 to 1000 year life-cycle; near the end of which it builds itself a nest of twigs that then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes; from which a new; young phoenix or phoenix egg arises; reborn anew to live again. The new phoenix is destined to live as long as its old self.

In China and Vietnam; the Fenghuang is a mythical bird similar to the phoenix. It is the second most-respected legendary creature (after the dragon); largely used to represent the empress and females; and as such as the counterpart to the Chinese dragon; traditionally seen as masculine or imperial. The phoenix is considered the greatest and the leader of birds.