While the djinn/jinn are the most iconic and famous creatures from the Middle East, there are many fantastic and wonderous monsters and beasts found in Middle Eastern and Islamic folklore
A thread on legendary and mythic creatures
A thread on legendary and mythic creatures
Probably one of the most famous creatures is Buraq, a celestial steed believed to have carried Muhammad on his night journey.
In artwork it is depicted as as a white mule-like creature with a human face and wings. It could leap the furthest length in a single bound
In artwork it is depicted as as a white mule-like creature with a human face and wings. It could leap the furthest length in a single bound
There is also some reference to the angel Jibrail/Gabriel’s horse. A flaming horse with mighty wings, Haizum is said to be a mount from the third heaven.
He appears with the cracking of a whip and is used to traverse the heavens
He appears with the cracking of a whip and is used to traverse the heavens
Islamic lore also talks about the Ababil, swallow-like birds sent by God to pelt the approaching army of Himyar.
When the southern kingdom marched on Mecca with their war elephant, God sent the birds to destroy the attackers and protect the Kaaba
When the southern kingdom marched on Mecca with their war elephant, God sent the birds to destroy the attackers and protect the Kaaba
In Central Asia and Turkic folklore the Tulpar is a winged horse and a mighty ally of nomadic hunters.
It is said that its life was bound with its master and the pair could live extra long lives but that when the master died so too would the Tulpar so fierce was its loyalty
It is said that its life was bound with its master and the pair could live extra long lives but that when the master died so too would the Tulpar so fierce was its loyalty
Another winged being is the Peri/pari. In Persian lore they are beautiful winged beings, usually women but not exclusively
Though mischievous, they are seen as either a type of benevolent djinn or angel-like. It is said they have their own homeland, paristan or on Mount Qaf
Though mischievous, they are seen as either a type of benevolent djinn or angel-like. It is said they have their own homeland, paristan or on Mount Qaf
There are some occasionally associated with erotic tales of mystic couplings. Some people are said to be descendants of such pairings
Persian lore also tells of the Mardikhor or Manticore, a hybrid monster with a lions body and a human head. It’s tail has poisonous quills.
It feasts on human flesh and can be found in the wilderness as a solitary creature
It feasts on human flesh and can be found in the wilderness as a solitary creature
Hybrid creatures are quite prevalent in Middle Eastern imagination with the Iraqi aqrabamel, or scorpion-men likely derived from the ancient Babylonian aqrabumelu and the Persian Shirdal, or lion-eagle which inspires the Griffin
In Arabian lore there is also the Falaq/Falak, a massive fiery serpent that lives in the deep.
The Falak may be related to the Tannin, a Canaanite and Hebrew sea monster
There is also some overlap with the Queen of Snakes, said to be half woman half serpent.
The Falak may be related to the Tannin, a Canaanite and Hebrew sea monster
There is also some overlap with the Queen of Snakes, said to be half woman half serpent.
In Turkish lore, she is known as Shahmaran. Though others distinguish between the two.
Turkish lore also talks about the Davara a shadowy creature of the night that causes night terrors, paralysis, and sweats.
The Davara is a great deceiver and fears the light
The Davara is a great deceiver and fears the light
A related being, the Gelin is a ghostly woman who haunts poor areas. She was betrayed in life by her love and now is a harbinger of death and sorrow.
In Turkey she can be attached and haunt a whole family line.
Her story has commonalities with La llorona
In Turkey she can be attached and haunt a whole family line.
Her story has commonalities with La llorona
In Egypt there is El Naddaha, a watery djinn-like being who calls men to their death in the Nile.
She is described as beautiful and hypnotic. Interestingly her legend is quite modern though her character draws on much older folkloric themes
She is described as beautiful and hypnotic. Interestingly her legend is quite modern though her character draws on much older folkloric themes
A less appealing creature is the giants of Afghanistan. Said be monstrous in appearance they range from 15 feet to 30 feet. They are solitary and live in the caves. There are even unique burials found in places in Afghanistan said to be the graves of giants
Legend says the original inhabitants of Afghanistan were djinn, peri, and giants.
This has even been picked up by internet conspiracy theorists who claim US soldiers killed the last of these giants
This has even been picked up by internet conspiracy theorists who claim US soldiers killed the last of these giants
In Central Asia you can also find the Sazakan, an elemental being who travels by whirlwind and dust devil.
He brings destructive weather of all kind, but if appeased with milk, can make the weather favorable
He brings destructive weather of all kind, but if appeased with milk, can make the weather favorable
Finally in Persian fable there is the Huma bird, a mighty creature of air it never lands or rests, living entirely in the sky.
A regal being, a glimpse of it can fill one with spiritual joy and it can herald the coming of kings.
It is associated with the simurgh
A regal being, a glimpse of it can fill one with spiritual joy and it can herald the coming of kings.
It is associated with the simurgh
There are so many wonderful and interesting mythic creatures from the Middle East.
I’ll expand further in coming weeks
I’ll expand further in coming weeks
