Simurgh
Simurgh, also spelled
simorgh,
simurg,
simoorg or
simourv, is a benevolent, mythical flying creature. It is sometimes equated with other mythological birds such as Arabic
Anqā or Persian
Homā. The figure can be found in all periods of Greater Iranian art and literature and is also evident in the iconography of medieval Armenia, the Byzantine empire, and other regions that were within the sphere of Persian cultural influence. The mythical bird is also found in the mythology of the Turkic peoples of Central Asia and is called
Kerkés,
Semrug,
Semurg,
Samran, and
Samruk. The name
simurgh derives from Middle Persian Pahlavi
sēnmurw, also attested in Middle Persian Pāzand as
sīna-mrū. The Middle Persian term derives in turn from Avestan
mərəγō Saēnō "the bird Saēna", originally a raptor, likely an eagle, falcon, or sparrowhawk, as can be deduced from the etymological cognate Sanskrit
śyenaḥ that also appears as a divine figure.
Saēna is also a personal name, which is root of the name.