The phoenix (; , "phoînix") is a long-lived bird associated with Greek mythology (with analogs in many cultures) that cyclically regenerates or is otherwise born again. Associated with the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor. Some legends say it dies in a show of flames and combustion, others that it simply dies and decomposes before being born again. In the "Motif-Index of Folk-Literature", a tool used by folklorists, the phoenix is classified as motif B32.