What is the story behind the Phoenix bird?

Answer 1

The Phoenix was a symbol of immortality in ancient Egyptian mythology. It was a beautiful bird that would live in the desert for 400 to 500 years and then set itself on fire, rising renewed from the ashes to start another long life.

Answer 2

The phoenix is a mythical bird that people once believed really existed. They believed that the bird lived for 500 years then it would fly to its birth place and die, and from the remains, or perhaps ashes if it flew into a fire [not certain here] it would be reborn.

Some religions believe in rebirth, or reincarnation. And in Christianity they believe in coming back to life after they die to live forever, which they call resurrection.

The First Epistle of Clement describes the life cycle of the phoenix as evidence of the reality of resurrection: Let us consider that wonderful sign [of the resurrection] which takes place in Eastern lands, that is, in Arabia and the countries round about. There is a certain bird which is called a phoenix. This is the only one of its kind, and lives five hundred years. And when the time of its dissolution draws near that it must die, it builds itself a nest of frankincense, and myrrh, and other spices, into which, when the time is fulfilled, it enters and dies. But as the flesh decays a certain kind of worm is produced, which, being nourished by the juices of the dead bird, brings forth feathers. Then, when it has acquired strength, it takes up that nest in which are the bones of its parent, and bearing these it passes from the land of Arabia into Egypt, to the city called Heliopolis. And, in open day, flying in the sight of all men, it places them on the altar of the sun, and having done this, hastens back to its former abode. The priests then inspect the registers of the dates, and find that it has returned exactly as the five hundredth year was completed.Do we then deem it any great and wonderful thing for the Maker of all things to raise up again those that have piously served Him in the assurance of a good faith, when even by a bird He shows us the mightiness of His power to fulfil His promise? For [the Scripture] saith in a certain place, "Thou shalt raise me up, and I shall confess unto Thee; " and again, "I laid me down, and slept; I awaked, because Thou art with me;" and again, Job says, "Thou shalt raise up this flesh of mine, which has suffered all these things."