Buraq
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Al Buraq (literally the Buraq)
Al Buraq is a winged white horse (bigger than a donkey; smaller than a mule) with the crowned head of a beautiful woman and the wings and tail of glorious male peacock feathers. Al Buraq is the mount on which the Prophet rode on his flight from Mecca to Jerusalem to the Seventh Heaven. Her origins are unclear. Some scholars speculate that she is related to ancient spirits of Mesopotamia depicted with human heads on large animal bodies. She may be some sort of angel.
Historically, images of al Buraq are mass-produced as popular chromolithographs, comparable to chromolithographs of Roman Catholic saints. This is highly unusual in a culture that usually discourages any sort of visual depiction. Her image serves as an amulet for personal safety and to fly over obstacles. In Pakistan, buses are ornamented with images of al Buraq in hopes that she will provide safety. In Muslim West Africa, merchants post images of al Buraq in hopes that she will serve as a vehicle for miraculous business and entrepreneurial success and progress. Her image is thus used in similar manner to that of Mami Waters and La Sirène elsewhere.
Airlines in Indonesia and Libya are named after al Buraq, as is an Islamic credit card. In Sheba, Walter Crane IV’s comic book series, al Buraq meets and mingles with ancient deities of Egypt.
SEE ALSO:
- Mami Waters
- Sirène , La
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.
