In ancient mythology, the phoenix is a brilliant bird with a fire spirit, colorful feathers and a tail of gold and scarlet.
Near the end of its life, after living at least 500 years, the phoenix builds itself a nest of twigs. Then, the nest ignites. Both the nest and the bird burn fiercely.
But from the ashes, a new, young phoenix arises — reborn and destined to live as long as its old self.
The women of the Pink Phoenix dragon boat team consider the mythical bird’s triumphant return to life to be symbolic of their own rebirth. All 85 women who paddle with the team have at one time been given a breast cancer diagnosis.