Phoenix

The Phoenix is a bird from Arabia which lives for five hundred years. There is only one living Phoenix in the world at any time. When it feels itself growing old, it builds a pyre of wood and spices and sits on it, facing the sun and spreading its wings, setting itself on fire. When it has been consumed by fire, the next day a new bird arises out of the ashes. The Phoenix is sometimes depicted in medieval  art and literature as endowed with a halo, which emphasises the birds connection to the sun.

The story of the Phoenix is allegorical of the death and resurrection of Christ, who said:

"I have the power to lay down my life, and I have the power to take it again (John 10:18)