Zahhak (nonfiction)

Zahhak is nailed to wall of a cave in Mount Davamand.

Zahhāk or Zahāk (pronounced [zæhɒːk]) (in Persian: ضحّاک‎‎/ذهّاک) or Bivar Asp is an evil figure in Iranian mythology, evident in ancient Iranian folklore as Aži Dahāka (Azh dahak), the name by which he also appears in the texts of the Avesta.

He is described as a monster with three mouths, six eyes, and three heads (presumably meaning three heads with one mouth and two eyes each), cunning, strong and demonic.

But in other respects Aži Dahāka has human qualities, and is never a mere animal.

Aži (nominative ažiš) is the Avestan word for "serpent" or "dragon." It is cognate to the Vedic Sanskrit word ahi, "snake," and without a sinister implication.

Azi and Ahi are distantly related to Greek ophis, Latin anguis, Russian and Old Church Slavonic уж (grass-snake), all meaning "snake".

In the News

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  Zahhak's agent, Highwayman Dick Turpin, creates a diversion while Zahhak deals with bigger problems.

Nonfiction cross-reference

• Monster (nonfiction)

External links:

• Zahhak @ Wikipedia