Strange Animals and Creatures in Islamic Miniatures: Focusing on Miniatures of the Conference of the Birds

Neda Rohani

doi:10.7596/taksad.v6i4.1121

Abstract

Strange animals and creatures have always existed in every mythological culture. In Iran's pre-Islamic and post-Islamic miniatures and reliefs, there are many strange animals and creatures such as dragons and phoenix which were associated with the Iranian culture and civilization. Because of presence of these strange creatures, particularly human life, these creatures are first used in mythological life and then symbolically to express human ideas. However, these animals were present in both mythology and epics and, later in the Islamic era, in the mystical stories, educational stories and admonishing anecdotes like Sanai, Attar, and Rumi. This study tends to investigate genealogy of strange animals and creatures in ancient Iranian reliefs and their continued presence in miniatures of Islamic era as well as presence of these creatures in miniatures which are based on Attar’s Conference of the Birds. In fact, this study reviews elements and symbolic concepts of animals, allowing a deeper understanding of function of elements and symbolism in works of Iranian miniaturists. Contemplation of miniatures, icons and the relationship between literature and miniatures will lead to many results in recognition of mystical intellectual foundations. Therefore, this study tends to investigate mysterious and unknown aspects of Iranian miniatures and find their relationship with culture and stories.

Highlights

It can be claimed that the first feature of Iranian miniature is theme, because Iranian miniaturist is mainly inspired by epic and lyrical poems and selects stories which are derived from mythology and ancient history; events happen in the world of fantasy and fairy tales
In summary, the number of the illustrated versions of the Conference of the Birds is not comparable to works such as Shahnameh Tahmasebi and Khamse; available works emphasize the role of the Conference of the Birds in Iranian mystical literature and Persian miniature since its formation
It is noteworthy that the Herat miniaturist, Behzad, found the anecdotes and stories of the Conference of the Birds an excellent opportunity for creative realism and created masterpieces of Persian miniature

Summary

Introduction

It can be claimed that the first feature of Iranian miniature is theme, because Iranian miniaturist is mainly inspired by epic and lyrical poems and selects stories which are derived from mythology and ancient history; events happen in the world of fantasy and fairy tales. Hoopoe which is messenger of the King Solomon to the Queen of Sheba is a symbol of Sheikh Sufi whose presence is assumed inevitable in mystic journey to God (Zarinkoob, 2004) In decrypting this allegorical work, it has been told that Attar wrote the Conference of the Birds to express truth in recognition of God and only believed that whoever knows himself, knows God (Servatian, 2002). Symbolism of Mythical and Mythological Creatures in the Conference of the Birds Symbolism of mythical creatures is the oldest method of expression Human expressed his first desires and demands in the form of shapes and designs which were result of his imagination by imitating nature and the world around. Most of these mythical animals and creatures are selected based on significance of their symbolic role in miniatures

Simurgh

Conclusion