“A Supernatural Creature in a Transcultural and Transreligious Framework: The Case of the so-called ‘Sēnmurw’,” Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, 26 January 2018.

    Aktivität: VorträgeVortragScience to Science

    Beschreibung

    The lecture revisits the evolution of the iconographic theme and the transcultural and transreligious framework of the composite mythical animal commonly identified as ‘sēnmurw’. One of the vehicles of transmission of elements of the Western Asian world, in particular of the Sasanian and Sogdian spheres, into medieval Christian and Islamic art, the Pahlavī sēn(ē)murw (Avestan saēna-mərəgha-, New Persian sīmurgh, Old Syriac sīmur(gh), Arab ʿanqaʾ) also has traits in common with the Chinese phoenix and the Sanskrit garuḍa. Depicted in a variety of media, including architectural decoration, metalwork, textiles, glass, numismatics and glyptics, it is generally rendered in profile, characterised by a snarling canine snout with projecting (sometimes bifurcating or foliate) tongue, two paws (one raised above the other), wings and a (pea)cock-like tail. The iconography of this supernatural creature remains remarkably consistent and resilient across cultures and eras. Yet, at the same time, its signification may be multi-layered, multivalent and adaptive. In its royal, apotropaic and exalting aspect, it passes easily between cultures, often retaining similar power, prestige and meaning even if situated in very different theologies and Weltanschauungen. The discussion will show that, over more than seven centuries, and spanning civilisations from the greater Iranian world to twelfth-century Europe, this animal of fantasy has answered iconographic needs associated with themes ranging from the important, such as abundance, fertility, royalty, glory, good fortune, splendour and protection, to the most rarefied, such as ascent, salvation and delivery.
    Zeitraum26 Jan. 2018
    Gehalten amUniversity of Tokyo, Japan
    BekanntheitsgradInternational