Simurgh or Phoenix; The legendary symbol of goodness seen in Persian mythology and literature is a bird. Zümrüdüanka, which represents rebirth, emerged from Persian mythology and later took place in eastern mythology and many cultures. This symbolic bird, which is depicted in different ways in communities, has different meanings. Known as the Phoenix in Islamic mysticism and art, the master of the birds represents maturity and approaching Allah. Phoenix; He is depicted as a winged creature with flaming gold feathers, a crimson chest, and giant claws. According to the belief, this bird, which died by burning, was reborn from its ashes. For this reason, it often symbolizes renewal, immortality, healing and eternal fire.
the phoenix; It is known as Phenix in ancient Egyptian mythology, Hüma or Tuğrul in Turkish mythology, Phoenix in Christian societies, Tanniao in China, Garuda in Indian mythology, and Simurg in Iran. In addition to those who say that the phoenix is a myth, there are also those who say that it is real and even see it. According to those who argue that the legend is true, the Phoenix flies too high to be seen with the human eye and lives on Mount Kaf. It is also claimed that he lived in the land of Abyssinia along with Kafdagi. There are also those who argue that this mythological bird lived in the years before Christ and became extinct.
Characteristics of the Phoenix
Simurg, which means 30 in Persian, is a bird the size of a 30 eagle. This bird, which is considered the master of all birds, is a wise bird with many knowledge that people do not know. At the same time, bird tears have the ability to heal wounds very quickly. The Phoenix bird, which has golden feathers, is male and is the only one in the world. This bird, which has a very beautiful voice, can think and even speak like humans. In ancient sources, it is told that many rulers applied to the wise bird and took wisdom from it.
The Phoenix bird, which has a long life, built a special nest for itself when it realized that it was nearing the end of its life. Thanks to the knowledge she had, she entered the special nest she made and began to wait. The bird, whose nest started to burn, threw itself into the flames and was burned to ashes with its nest. According to the belief, the Phoenix bird, reborn from its ashes, has a healthier and younger appearance. The bird, which regains its former glory, continues forever to rise from the ashes.
According to what is told, all the birds in the world are aware of the existence of the Phoenix and that it lives somewhere far away. The Phoenix, which is mentioned with respect in the world of birds, helps them in any time of trouble. Iranian Sufi poet Farid ud-Din Attar, in his work Mantiku’t-Tayr (The Language of the Birds), speaks of a flock of birds looking for Simurgh.
The Story of the Phoenix
One day, something went wrong in the world of birds and they all thought that Simurgun could solve it. However, the fact that Simurgun did not appear despite the long period of time has caused a great panic in the world of birds. Birds thought that something happened to Simurgun and decided to find him. Hz. Hüthüt, the postman bird of the Prophet Solomon, guided them. Every bird in the world was gathered and started to search for Simurgu under the leadership of Hüthüt bird. Birds have to cross 7 valleys to reach Simurga.
These valleys that the birds must cross are as follows;
1. Valley; Irada Valley
valley of will; It is a paradise where birds can find everything they are looking for. Birds will be able to reach everything they want here, and they will be able to achieve all their aspirations in pleasure and enjoyment. They will be able to reach everything without working and struggling, and they will be able to hold a position. Some of the birds, caught in the magic of the valley, gave up looking for Simurgu and decided to live there and left the flock.
2. Valley; Love Valley
A mist covered the eyes of the birds that entered this valley, and everything they saw was beautiful to them. Even the formless shapes, stones and pieces of wood found in the valley have turned into beautiful birds of their own kind. The birds, whose eyes were almost blind, fell under the spell of the valley and some of them remained in this valley and disappeared.
3. Valley; Valley of Ignorance
Everything looks beautiful to the eyes of the birds entering this valley and they forget even the Phoenix. The birds begin to think that it doesn’t matter where they go. They see interesting objects in the valley, but do not even question what they are. They begin not to think or care about what their purpose is. If they don’t think, they forget, and as they forget, their burden gets lighter. For this reason, some of the birds decide to stay in the valley.
4. Valley; Valley of Unbelief
Everything suddenly loses its meaning for the birds that enter this valley. They fall into the belief that reaching the simurg will not change anything. While trying to reach Simurg, there are those who claim that they will surely die on the way, as well as those who say that Simurg will not find a solution and that their path has been wasted. Some of the birds, who think that they have put in a waste of effort, decide to stay in this valley, thinking that they will complete the road, and that even if they complete it, it will be useless.
5. Valley; Valley of Solitude
Fear grips all the birds that enter this valley. They worry that they are the only ones where they are. Birds, who only think of feeding themselves, cannot be successful because they act alone and become food for large animals. Each chooses to act on his own and tries to find his way alone. Some of the birds, who think that there is no one but themselves and feel alone, stay in the valley.
6. Valley; Gossip Valley
Birds entering this valley begin to hear whispers from every corner. Some of the birds say that Simurgun’s feathers are burned at rebirth, while others say that their feathers do not grow back. In fact, rumors spread that he did not appear because his feathers were burned. It is stated that Simurgun does not want anyone to see this state of him, and that he harms those who see it. Others think that Simurgun is dead and they are searching in vain. Upon all these rumors, some of the birds give up looking for Simurgu and stay in the valley.
7. Valley; Ben Valley
All birds entering this valley have a different feeling. Some birds criticize the wing or appearance of other birds, while others claim to know everything. Some birds claim that they have gone the wrong way, and a quarrel ensues among the birds. Every bird has a different opinion and only his opinion is correct. Every bird wants to be the leader to show the way and crush each other to get ahead. Thus, very few birds will be able to come out of the last valley.
Of all the birds in the world, only 30 birds managed to reach Kafdagi at the end of the road. All of these 30 birds that reach the Simurgun’s nest in Kafdagi mean Simurg. The name Simurg in Persian means 30 birds. In other words, each of the 30 birds that have managed to control their souls and find their own self is a Simurgu. Since the main goal that lies in the hearts of most of the birds consists of worldly pleasures and desires, they got lost on the way before they could reach Simurga. Birds that dominate their will, are not blindly attached, think, develop themselves, believe in themselves and will succeed, know that they must act together, do not prefer to be alone, do not gossip, and most importantly, train their ego.
