It has been said, that the Phoenix is immortal. Raised for thousands of years in temples, he was said to be the chosen bird of the gods and of the emperor, who was then seen as a descendant of the gods. The Phoenix, like the gods, is immortal in spirit, but not in body. He must destroy his earthly body to be reborn in spirit. The Phoenix, unlike any other animal in the world, will after his fifth year of life, begin to turn completely white. At first, only the very tips of his feathers will turn white, but slowly, the white will grow from the outside edges in, coming ever closer to the body. It is said that when the Phoenix turns completely white, and the advancing white of his feathers touches his body, that he will die. This is symbolic of the white ash during the burning of a Phoenix on his funeral pyre, in order to be reborn as a new Phoenix. The Phoenix, if he chooses not to do this, or is interrupted by an early or premature death, will not be reborn into an new earthly body, unless his body is burnt to white ashes. Failing to do so forces the immortal Phoenix to leave the earth and enter the spirit realm. Keeping the Phoenix's spirit on earth will make him happy, and in exchange, he will grant you power and luck in battle, and in life, he can grant you spiritual and physical immortality. This is why these birds are called Phoenix, and are considered to be so sacred.