The Hoopoe tells the birds about the Simurgh
The Hoopoe tells the birds about the Simurgh
From a manuscript of ʿAttar, Mantiq al-Tayr (Conference of the birds), dated AH 898 (1493–94 AD)
Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, MS Elliott 246, fol 25v
This beautifully painted illustration is placed early in the narrative in which the Hudhud, or Hoopoe, tells the assembled birds about the Simurgh and tries to persuade them to journey with him to find it.
The artist has placed the magnificently plumed Simurgh in the picture, so that the viewer can see what the Hoopoe is describing, even though at this stage the birds have never seen the mythical creature.
In a clever play on words, 30 birds (si murgh in Persian) achieve their goal after a lengthy journey only to realise that they were the Simurgh all along; divinity lay within each of them.
This image appears on the page: Conference of the birds, Stories & poems
Events
Conference
Love and devotion: Persian Cultural Crossroads
This two-day conference held in April 2012 featured distinguished international guests and Australian specialists exploring cultural convergences in literature, the arts and architecture, history and philosophy within Persia's cultural sphere and Europe, from the 11th century to the present day.
For information on keynote speakers & topics discussed, visit our conference page
Visit the exhibition
Date: 9 March–1 July 2012, open daily 10am–5pm and until 9pm Thursdays
Cost: Free
State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street,
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Tel +61 3 8664 7000