Phoenix

Phoenix – A widely used symbol of Our Lord’s Resurrection is the phoenix. According to one legend of this fabled bird, which somewhat resembles an eagle, it lives to an age of four or five hundred years. It is set on fire by the heat of the sun by the fanning of its wings and is consumed in the fire. The bird then rises out of the ashes, recreated and young, and is destined to live another four or five hundred years. The phoenix appears on early coins of emperors, such as Constantine, and is also a common symbol on Roman and Byzantine sarcophagi. In addition to its symbolism of the Resurrection the phoenix can also relate to Holy Baptism as a representation of the regenerating power of this sacrament.