English I Louise S. McGehee School 2004 Simurgh (Benson)

What does the Simurgh look like? The Simurgh is a large bird with a silver head of a dog, four wings, and metallic orange feathers (Benson). The Simurgh has a peacock tail and claws of a lion (Benson). (Aldous)

The Powers of the Simurgh If the Simurgh gives you one of her golden feathers and you are ever in need, you can burn it and she will help (Benson). A touch from the Simurgh is said to heal all wounds or illnesses, no matter how bad (Gay). The Simurgh is said to have lived so long that she has seen the world destroyed three times, therefore containing within herself the knowledge of all ages and generations (Benson).

Where does the Simurgh live? The Simurgh is said to have lived in the Tree of Knowledge, whose branches held the seeds of every plant that ever existed. When the Simurgh shook his wings, the wind spread the seeds everywhere on earth. Later on, it was said that the Simurgh lived on the mountain Alburz, beyond the climbing abilities of any man. Northern slope of the Alburz mountains (Iransafari.com)

The Myth of Zal (Benson) The Simurgh was said to have taken in children and fostered them. The most prominent example of this is featured in the “Shahnameh”, an epic poem that describes the kings of Persia. –In this poem, the Simurgh takes the infant prince, Zal, and fosters him when his father leaves him because he has white hair. –When Zal is grown and a great warrior, his father seeks him out, but is unable to reach the home of the gods. –The Simurgh sees him and takes pity, so she takes Zal to his father, giving him one feather that he can use to summon her when in great need. –Later, Zal married Rudabeh and not long after, she has a tough labor. So, Zal burned the Simurgh’s feather, and the Simurgh told him how to deliver the child, which would turn out to be Rustam, Persia’s greatest hero.

The Mantiq al-Tayr (“Khafif”) “The Mantiq al-Tayr”, or “Parliament of Birds”, is a poem about a group of a thousand birds that follows a feather that the Simurgh dropped. When they finally reach what they think is her dwelling place, they number only thirty. When they see the king of birds, they realize that they are the Simurgh and the Simurgh is each and all of them. (Safi)

Modern Day Connections Although the Simurgh does not have many modern day connections, it is often used as a symbol of Persian culture. For example, both a restaurant in London and a Middle Eastern dance group use the Simurgh as their name and icon. Also, the Tree of Knowledge is a recurring theme in many religions and cultures, like the Christian belief that Adam and Eve took the apple from the Tree of Knowledge.

Works Cited Aldous, Robert. Aldous Fine Art January < Benson, Melissa. “Feng.” Pheonix’s Flight January < html>. Blacker, Thetis. “The Simurgh.” Thetis Blacker. 15 January < htm>. Gay, Marcus. “Simurgh.” Occultopedia. <

Works Cited (cont.) Iransafari.com. 15 January < Galley-Landscape.htm>. “Khafif.” Khafif Pittsburgh, Khafif Music and Dance. 14 January Lindemans, M.F.“Simurgh.” Encyclopedia Mythica. 15 May January < simurgh.html>. Safi, Omid. “Syllabus for Religion 328, Experiencing Islam.” In the Name of God, Infinite Tenderness, Eternal Kindness. 16 January

(Benson)