This research briefly investigates the significance of two chinoiserie motifs, dragons and phoenixes that are frequently applied by the persian artists from th century to 15th century when chinese influence on persian manuscripts was apparent in persian illustrated. Dear editor, referring to simurgh, as the legend of spiritual aspects of health in ancient persian literature, it is genuine, accurate and highly appreciated. It has been depicted within iranian art and literature for centuries. The conference of the birds simurgh portrayed by attar.
Sadeh in persian means hundred and refers to one hundred days and nights before. Ancient mesopotamian religion and mythology selected essays. Sinmurw, is also re cognized in avesta the bird saena. Persian allegory of chinoiserie motifsdragon and phoenix. Special emphasis is given to their connection with the mythical iranian bird, the. On it was probably unnoticed since it was buried in a comment, but ive discovered that zals father published a book about an old iranian myth. Phoenix, dragon, chinoiserie, evil and vicious mythical creatures. It was probably compiled in the eighth and ninth centuries, though it reflects ancient zorastrian and prezorastrian teachings. That is most likely where zals name comes from, since in this story the bird adopts a child. About a thousand years later, a religion known as zoroastrianism pronounced zorohastreeuhnizm emerged in the region. May 08, 2019 ahriman satan is currently the master of the universe.
A significant amount of the book is about how the parsis live today. While according to ancient persian literature, simurgh is a benevolent, mythical flying creature considered to possess the knowledge of. These motifs such as dragons, phoenixes are modified into persian narrative according to the demand of pure persian subject matter, style and iconography provided by persian epic and romantic literature. From the persian ancient dramas, jamm and simurgh toward the. In which you will be lost to mortal sight, dispersed to nothingness until once more. In this, the second part, i shall describe the evolution of the myth of the simurgh and discuss the medical relevance of this bird in iranian history. Journal of archives in military medicine jamm, simurgh. The selection is rounded off by three essays that study ancient mesopotamian religion and mythology in relation to the hebrew bible.
Simurgh was an enormous bird with the head of a dog, body of a peacock, and claws of a lion, large enough to lift an elephant with ease, who lived in cycles of 1,700 years before plunging into a fire of its own. Flying over boundaries auspicious birds in sinosogdian funerary art. Timeline world history documentaries recommended for you. The dog features prominently in one of the most popular and enduring figures from persian mythology, simurgh, the socalled dogbird. According to shahnameh the most famous epic poem drama in iranian literature simurgh took care of zahl. Simorgh oder simurgh persisch, dmg simorgsimurg, auch simurg, simorg oder. Pdf from the persian ancient dramas, jamm and simurgh. Pdf asclepius, caduceus, and simurgh as medical symbols. All persian fairy tales begin with the sentence there was being and nonbeing, there was none but god. What did the simurgh represent in iranian mythology. However, incarnation of simurgh as the god of victory the god of bahram. The touch of the simurgh, or one of its feathers, could heal a man instantly, and apparently the simurgh had knowledge of how to prepare a special restorative brew known as houma. It held on to many of the earlier beliefs but added new themes, gods, and myths.
The wise being is so old its seen the world destroyed three times over. Simurgh persian empire symbol 3d cad model library grabcad. In persian mythology, simurgh was a gigantic winged birdlike creature. He was a god of courage and enlightenment, and led the chariot of the sun across the sky on its daily journey. It held on to many of the earlier beliefs but added new themes, deities, and myths. See more ideas about mythology, mythical creatures and persian. He was associated with anahita, the goddess of water and of fertility. The creature represented the union between the earth and the sky, serving as mediator and messenger between the two. Mar 21, 2016 simurgh simorgh is a benevolent, magical flying creature, a famous character in persian mythology. The symbol of medicine that is widely accepted worldwide is either rod of asclepius with a single snake 2, 3 or the caduceus with its two snakes and wings which both of them are referred to greek mythology. The first essay in the anthology is morals in ancient mesopotamia 1958. Although this prefix is not historically related to the origin of the name simurgh, thirty has nonetheless been the basis for legends incorporating that number, for instance, that the simurgh was as large as thirty birds or had thirty colours. The beast dove into a fire of its own creation and died, only to rise again.
Simurgh in zoroastrian mythology simurgh is an iranian mythical bird which is mentioned twice in the zoroastrian holy book, the avesta. The computeraided design cad files and all associated content posted to this website are created, uploaded, managed and owned by third party users. The oldest persian deity was mithra, who was identified with the sun. May 11, 2018 in contrast, iranian mythology has no recorded evidence that the image of the serpent was ever associated with the practice of medicine or pharmacy. Simurgh like the hippogriff with the head of a human persian tikbalang creature with the body of a man and the head and hooves of a horse, lurks in the mountains and forests philippines uchchaihshravas sevenheaded all white flying horse hindu. Persian mythology are traditional tales and stories of ancient origin, all involving extraordinary or supernatural beings. Stories of the simurgh can be found in ferdowsis shahnameh. Simurg alternatively spelled as simurgh, simorgh, simoorgh, simour, and senvurv is an ancient persian mythological bird. The image of the serpent is widely acknowledged in western culture to symbolize medicine.
Drawn from the legendary past of iran, they reflect the attitudes of the society to which they first belonged attitudes towards the confrontation of good and evil, the actions of the gods, yazats lesser gods, and the exploits of heroes and fabulous creatures. Jahanekhosrau free use the simurgh was described as a peacock with the head of a dog and the claws of a lion. It was originally a symbol representing aesculapius, the greek god of medicine, from around the 6th century bc. In contrast, iranian mythology has no recorded evidence that the image of the serpent was ever associated with the practice of medicine or pharmacy. The simurgh was said to possess all knowledge, and 1 3. Then, as they listened to the simurgh s words, a trembling dissolution filled the birds the substance of their being was undone. Firebird russian folklore, an equivalent of phoenix in russian mythology. It was so strong, it could carry an elephant or camel through the air. Persian mythology traditional legends and stories etc.
Pdf persian allegory of chinoiserie motifsdragon and. The book has some nice photographs and some good information about ancient persian beliefs. Though the simurgh concept is generally known to be persian in origin, the mythology related with it goes far back in history. The simurgh evolves from a myth, to the symbol of royalty, to the guardian of persian kingdom, and finally to represent the divine. Persian mythology library of the worlds myths and legends. He is the father of the equally legendary iranian hero, rostam. As an overview of persian culture from preachaemenid to the twenty first century it does a good job. Two specimens of this magical fish were in charge of guarding over the white haoma tree, the most sacred of all trees in zoroastrian mythology, who was menaced by a monster that resembled a frog. This immortal, gigantic, female winged creature is usually described as having a scalecovered body, with a dogs head and foreparts, lions claws and peacocks wings and tails.
The simurgh is a persian creature with a dogs head, a peacocks body, and lions claws. Typically, it is considered benevolent, but some tales suggest that man is not always safe around the simurgh. Simurgh known from the middle persian language as sinmurw, is also re cognized in avesta the bird saena, with myth ical powers in the creation of world. Persian mythology are traditional tales and stories of ancient origin. First official names given to features on asteroid bennu. The simurgh is the modern persian name for a fabulous, benevolent, mythical flying creature. Persian zurvanites zoroastrianists believed that at the very beginning, there was a lonely god zurvan who desired offspring to create the universe as we know it. It is sometimes equated with other mythological birds such as a phoenix persian. In persian mythology the simurgh, or simorgh, was the name given to a benevolent, mythical avian creature which today can be found in all periods of greater iranian art and literature as well as the iconography of medieval armenia, byzantium and other regions that were within the sphere of iranian cultural influence. But the book is really about zoroastrianism, both past and present. Simurgh is an iranian mythical bird which is mentioned twice in the zoroastrian holy book, the avesta.
One of the most recognizable symbols for medicine today is the rod of aesculapius with its entwined single serpent. It had the body of a bird specifically a peacock, though it had features of an eagle or falcon as well, lions claws and a dogs head. Saena is also attested as a personal name which is derived from the bird name. This word was used in persian literature for a symbol of the spirit of medicine simurgh. It was an ancient creature that was so old, it had seen the. The simurgh, truths last flawless jewel, the light.
Jun 02, 2009 simurgh is a mysterious, benevolent, mythical flying creature in iranian mythology. Simurgh, the mysterious giant healing bird in iranian. The kar fish was also the chief of all the fish species and dwell in the mythical ocean fraxkard, home to the primal waters. It is sometimes equated with other mythological birds, that also have some origins within simurgh, such as the griffin or pheonix. About a thousand years later, a religion known as zoroastrianism emerged in the region. May 24, 2014 the symbol of medicine that is widely accepted worldwide is either rod of asclepius with a single snake 2, 3 or the caduceus with its two snakes and wings which both of them are referred to greek mythology. Persian mythology developed in what is now iran around 1500 bce. Anahita persian goddess of water statue, fouman, gilan, iran. It has enjoyed a variety of incarnations ranging from being fully birdlike to having the head of a dog and suckling its young. The simurgh as a legendary bird features in firdausis shahnameh book of kings and also in the mantiq altayr parliament of birds it has a mysterious or even mystical character.
Simurgh in the shahnameh in the shahnameh the book of kings, a book of iranian epic poetry written over years ago by ferdowsi 9361020 ce in the modern iranian language farsi, the mythical bird simurgh avestan saena. This myth is identical with the syrian tale of astarte aphrodite and adonis, the phrygian version features cybele and attis, and in egypt isis and osiris. Flying over boundaries auspicious birds in sinosogdian. Today we are exploring the myths and legends surrounding a fabulous bird from persian mythology, the simurgh. Aryan and related expressions like arya also appeared in other ancient persian and indian inscrip.
According to the persian mythology, the simurgh lived on the imaginary qaf of elburz mountain, on the top of the gaokerena tree, which contained the seeds of the elixir of immortality. Most famous of these is the simurgh, a large beautiful and powerful bird. Simurgh saxum defines the prime meridian on bennu and is the basis for the asteroids coordinate. Persian, senmurw pahlavi, sinamru pazand, a fabulous, mythical bird. Persian mythology, ancient beliefs of the ancient persian iranian people. Avalerion, an indian magic bird that drowns itself once it has laid its eggs.
Phoenix, dragon, chinoiserie, evil and vicious m ythical creatures. In the early 20th century the us army medical corps usamc. Simurgh is a benevolent, mythical bird in iranian mythology and literature. Simurgh definition is a huge ancient bird of persian legend credited with possessing great wisdom. Persian mythology developed in what is now iran after about 1500 b. Simurgh, the mythological bird, was the legend of spiritual aspects of health figure 1 in ancient persian tales 2, 3. The simurgh was considered to purify the land and waters and hence bestow fertility. The core of the book is eighteen essays, six each on the pantheon, on mythology, and on religion. Early depictions of the simurgh describe it as a peacock with a lions body or paws and a dogs head. Sadeh is a mid winter festival that was celebrated. The result was a mythology based on a dualistic vision.
Because its name resembles the persian word for thirty, it is often said to be as large as. In the old, old times there was a king the guardian of the throne of wisdom. See more ideas about persian miniature, islamic art, mythical birds. Persian allegory of chinoiserie motifsdragon and phoenix or. Simurgh shahnameh and behram yasht verses 34 36, 41, 43, 44 hello all tele class friends. Persian, the son of a persian, an aryan, of aryan lineage. Simurgh as a medical symbol for iran pubmed central pmc.
A reference to simurgh is found in the poem the conference of the birds mantiq attayr written by sheikh farid uddin attar born 114546 in nishapur died c. Simurgh, the mysterious giant healing bird in iranian mythology. According to persian myth, the simurgh lived in the tree of knowledge, again tying it to the myth of the anzu, which made its nest in the huluppu tree. Pictorial research and guide ahreeman x 1st edition. This promotion and transformation is facilitated through the idea of divine protection and kingship inherited from ancient persia, transforming the representations of the simurgh into powerful images. Pages in category persian legendary creatures the following 20 pages are in this category, out of 20 total. Persian mythology myth encyclopedia greek, god, legend. Simurgh iranian mythology a gigantic winged benevolent creature.
Islamic republic of iran medical council irimc that is the representative of almost all iranian health care professionals has officially presented simurgh as the iranian symbol of medicine which is aimed to be presented worldwide as. Fenghuang, commonly referred to as the chinese phoenix. May 24, 2014 dear editor, referring to simurgh, as the legend of spiritual aspects of health in ancient persian literature, it is genuine, accurate and highly appreciated. The simurgh was thought to purify the landwater, and hence bestow fertility. Simurghsimorgh is a benevolent, magical flying creature. This week on january 24th and on january 30th, thousands of our zoroastrian humdins in iran, north america and other countries will celebrate the religious feast of jashne sadeh by. It has sharp teeth and beautiful plumage, most evident on its long tail feathers and massive wings. The figure can be found in all periods of iranian art and. Pdf persian allegory of chinoiserie motifsdragon and phoenix or. Nov 03, 2008 the simurgh originates in persian mythology. The figure can be found in all periods of greater iranian art and literature, and is evident also in the iconography of medieval armenia, the byzantine empire, and other regions that were within the sphere of persian cultural influence. Persias forgotten empire ancient history documentary timeline duration. Schafer as many other scholars was perfectly aware that the fenghuang did not correspond precisely with the phoenix just as the luan bird was not the simurgh. Persian allegory of chinoiserie motifsdragon and phoenix or simurgh pages.