In Greek mythology, an immortal bird resembling an eagle, but with sumptuous red and gold plumage. The phoenix was said to live for 500 years before burning itself to ashes, then rising from the ashes with its youth renewed. Web resource here.

Star tile with a phoenix. Takht-i Sulayman, Iran. Fritware painted under and over turquoise glaze, with gold leaf. Ilkhanid. 1270s. National Museum of Asian Art, Washington, DC.