a mythical bird believed to live for 500 years, burn itself on a pyre, and rise alive from the ashes to live another cycle
something that appears to arise from its own ashes, or be reborn after its own destruction
somebody or something that is unique and of notable beauty, quality, etc
phoenix-like adj
[Old English fenix via Latin phoenix from Greek phoinix purple, crimson, Phoenician, phoenix, date palm]