The Bennu Bird and the Primordial Mound
The Bennu bird—the inspiration for the Greek phoenix—was a self-created being associated with the sun god Ra and the city of Heliopolis. According to the Heliopolitan creation myth, before the world existed there was only the dark, watery abyss of Nun. From these primordial waters arose a mound of earth—the Benben—the first dry land. Upon this mound perched the Bennu bird, a heron-like deity who, with a cry, broke the primeval silence and initiated creation. The Bennu's call marked the beginning of time. Alternatively, the Bennu emerged from the flames of a sacred persea tree in Heliopolis. Ea