Simargl

Also called Semargl, Semargl-Pereplut.

Simargl is a winged, chimeric guardian figure from Slavic folklore, described as a bird-dragon hybrid tied to a world tree from which all plant life is said to originate.

Tradition: Slavic folklore
Trait family: The Ward-Holders
Symbols: Lion
Kin: Simurgh (derived from)

Kinship

Lines of descent added by hand and approved one at a time.

Simurgh derived from
why
A recurring claim in reference sources holds that Simargl derives from, or represents a Slavic transformation of, the Persian Simurgh

Near this figure

Arzshenk Guardianship
Bannik Guardianship
Bisan Guardianship
Briareos Guardianship
Campe Guardianship
Colt Pixy Guardianship

and 11 more

Coquena Guardianship
Hiisi Guardianship
Kirkegrim Guardianship
Kishibojin Guardianship
Ma Guardianship
Mars Guardianship
Mehen Guardianship
Mucalinda Guardianship
Orthos Guardianship
Pixiu Guardianship
Pytho Guardianship

Symbols

Judged against the description by a model. Meanings are our own paraphrase.

Lion bears The lion is ambivalent: solar majesty, courage, justice, guardianship, and resurrection coexist with lunar maternity, cruelty, war, destructive heat, and death.
why
In form, Simargl is consistently described as a winged, chimeric creature combining features of a bird, a dog, and sometimes lion- or griffin-like attributes, giving it a composite appearance closer to a fantastic guardian beast than a conventional dragon despite sometimes being grouped with dragon-like beings in later reference works.

Traits

Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.

Form

Lion eagle composite
why
sometimes lion- or griffin-like attributes
Hybrid of multiple animals
why
In form, Simargl is consistently described as a winged, chimeric creature combining features of a bird, a dog, and sometimes lion- or griffin-like attributes, giving it a composite appearance closer to a fantastic guardian beast than a conventional dragon despite sometimes being grouped with dragon-like beings in later reference works.

Defensive powers

Guardianship
why
Its central role in the folklore is as guardian of a great tree, sometimes described as the tree upon which the seeds of all the world's plants ripen; when Simargl shakes its wings, those seeds are said to scatter and disperse, seeding the earth with vegetation.

Roles

Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.

Earth meets
2 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Simargl."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Simargl."