Simurgh in Maulana's Works

Simurgh, a mythological bird, has long had strong presence in Iranian culture. Before the advent of Islam, it was present in Pahlavi works and after Islam it was present in mystical epics. This noteworthy element has attracted many talented mystics and has attained a transcendent and lofty character in mystical literature. Meantime, the sharp mind of Iran's most mystic poet, Maulana Jalal al-Din, has had different mystical interpretations from Simurgh. In Maulana's works, Simurgh sometimes refers to the perfect man and the united mystic and sometimes refers to essence of Divinity. Shams Tabirzi, love, spirituality, heart, and prayer, all of which have lofty meanings for Maulana, are enjoyably symbolized through Simurgh. The present paper deals with the various manifestations of Simurgh in Maulana's works.