Simurgh: Difference between revisions

'''Simurgh''' ({{IPAc-en|s|ɪ|ˈ|m|ɜːr|g}}; {{lang-fa|سیمرغ}}, also spelled ''simorgh, simorg'', ''simurg'', ''simoorg, simorq'' or ''simourv'') is a benevolent, mythical bird in [[Persian mythology]] and [[Persian literature|literature]]. It is sometimes equated with other [[mythological]] birds such as the [[Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]] ({{lang-fa|link=no|ققنوس}} ''quqnūs'') and the [[Huma bird|humā]] ({{lang-fa|link=no|هما}}).<ref>Juan Eduardo Cirlot, A Dictionary of Symbols, Courier Dover Publications, 2002, p. 253</ref> The figure can be found in all periods of [[Greater Iran|Iranian]] art and literature and is also evident in the iconography of [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]],<ref>For example, on the wall of [[Samtavisi Church]]</ref> [[medieval Armenia]],<ref>For example, fresco depiction of simurghs inside medallions (evoking motifs found on Sassanid textiles) in the church of Tigran Honents at [[Ani]]. P Donabedian and J. M. Thierry, ''Armenian Art'', New York, 1979, p. 488.</ref> the [[Byzantine Empire|Eastern Roman Empire]],<ref>For example, a row of simurghs are depicted inside the "Ağaçaltı" church in the [[Ihlara]] gorge. Thierry, N. and M., ''Nouvelles églises rupestres de Cappadoce'', Paris, 1963, pp. 84–85.</ref> and other regions that were within the realm of Persian cultural influence.