Bird of happiness of Uzbekistan – Semurg (Humo) 1200-800g.
The bird of happiness Semurg or as it is called in Uzbekistan “Humo”, is the embodiment of happiness and well-being of the Uzbek people. There are legends about this bird in Central Asia and beyond.
The Semurg, a creature of mythology, was first mentioned in the Avesta, a collection of sacred Zoroastrian texts dating from 1200-800 B.C. This magical bird, whose name means “bird from a tree or mountain top,” had the appearance of a huge bird covered in fish scales and having the outline of a lion or dog. However, in spite of such an unsightly image, Semurg possessed magic wings, shimmering with all bright colors and dwarfing the plumage of any other bird in its beauty. On these wings, according to legend, she saved the most worthy and noble of people from misfortune and persecutors.
The bird of happiness Semurg, if based on ancient Zoroastrian writings, settled under the Tree of Peace, on which grows all sorts of seeds. With a flap of his magnificent wings, Semurg picks up these seeds, which are then spread around the world by the wind and rain.
Later, the bird of happiness Semurg is mentioned in various literary works of great authors. For example, Alisher Navoi’s poem “The Language of Birds” tells about the magic bird Humo (Semurg), which showed the other birds the way to God. Semurg warned the birds that their journey would be long and difficult and not all would reach the goal. Only the most worthy and enduring ones passed all the tests, but what they saw at the end made them change their view of the entire universe.
In Persian literature, for example, in Ferdowsi’s The Book of Kings (Shahnameh), the bird of happiness Semurg saves from death a fearless young man Rustam, wounded in battle. The bird took six arrows out of Rustam and, by running its wings over his wounds, healed him.
The bird of happiness Semurg was present in the epics of various nations. There is a legend that Semurg lives about 700 years. Only once in her life she gives birth, after which she immediately throws herself into the fire. In addition, the image of the bird Semurg can be seen on interior items, household utensils, jewelry. One of the most beautiful images of the Semurg bird is located on the entrance portal of the 17th century Nodir Diwan Begi Madrasah in the city of Bukhara.
But the bird of happiness Semurg is the embodiment not only of radiance and happiness. With the ancient Turks, it represented state power and authority. It should be noted that it is not in vain that the bird Semurg is depicted on the national emblem of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Here, the bird’s wings seem to cover the whole country and protect its people from everything bad.
Perhaps for this or for some other reason, but the people in Uzbekistan are always happy and cheerful. Maybe because everyone subconsciously knows that the bird of happiness Semurg will stand guard over their happiness and well-being!
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