The phoenix is a mythical firebird from Ancient Egypt which is portrayed as a long-lived bird resembling an eagle that cyclically regenerated itself after death in fire. It is usually described as a bird with gold and red feathers. At the end of its life, a phoenix is said to build a nest of cinnamon twigs which it then ignites. The bird burns itself to death in the fire but a new young phoenix is born from the same fire. It was believed to have a life span of 500 years or more. Its tears were thought to heal wounds.