Talk:Kougyoku/@comment-32979159-20170926172917/@comment-28088476-20180412070547

All the Divine Beasts are based on the Four Symbols of Chinese constellations, though they have essentially identical counterparts in Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. The Flame Emperor is based on the Vermillion BIRD of the South, Suzaku. The Phoenix is a completely different creature from a completely different mythology, namely the Greek mythology.

They both happen to be large red birds covered in and/or having mastery of flames. Beyond that very superficial connection they're literally nothing alike, and generally when considering analogs to the Phoenix you wouldn't even see Suzaku mentioned. The closest Japanese equivalent is found in Hō-ō.