MYTHICAL
BEASTS
The ancient tales and myths of Iran include many incredible creatures. Let’s learn about a few of them!
SIMORGH
The Simorgh is a mythical bird from ancient Persia that nests in the equally mythical tree of healing. While its appearance varies by account, it is most often seen with the head of a dog, the tail of a peacock, and the claws of a lion. That may sound scary, but this bird is no monster. Rather, it is known as a healer. In Persian legends, the Simorgh was such a capable healer that there was practically no wound it couldn’t mend—from bug bites to embedded arrows.
A close friend of the Simorgh, the Chamrosh even lives under the same mythical tree. With the body of a dog and the wings of an eagle, it waits for the Simorgh to take flight before gathering the tree’s scattered seeds. It then uses its wings to spread the seeds across the sea so the plants can grow. In legends, the Chamrosh was a revered guardian of Iran. When its people were attacked, it was believed that the Chamrosh would go to the top of Mount Alborz and snatch up the people’s enemies.
THREE-LEGGED DONKEY
This magnificent creature is so large that a single foot covers a piece of land that could hold a thousand sheep! According to the ancient texts, the mythical donkey has three legs, six eyes, nine mouths, two ears, and one golden horn. It uses this powerful horn to destroy annoying pests and dangerous creatures. As it moves its enormous body, it shakes the entire ocean and purifies the water.