Şahmeran (Altın Kaplama)

Shahmaran (Shah-i Meran)

Shahmaran is a being in Iranian-Persian mythology that is described as intelligent and benevolent, with a snake below the waist and a human on top, the head of supernatural creatures called Maran, who never ages and whose soul is believed to pass to his daughter when he dies. His name comes from the Persian word "shah-i meran", meaning king of snakes. However, in all legendary records and all descriptions specific to Shahmaran legends, the being is female. Shahmaran is believed to have lived in the Tarsus district of the Mediterranean region. Although it is said that Shahmaran lives in the snake castle between Ceyhan and Misis, according to legend, Shahmaran lives with her snakes in an underground country. A legend with the same name also takes place in the Mardin region. In this region, Shahmaran is depicted with a painting and the paintings made by Shahmaran masters decorate the walls of houses. The name of the first person to meet Shahmaran is Belkıya in some sources, while this name changes to Cemşab in some sources. In some sources, it is said that the first person to meet Shahmaran was Luqman.

The killing of Shahmaran is a common end in every different legend. The main purpose of this common end, namely the killing of Shahmaran, is for people to find health and healing. In fact, in some stories, the encounter between Hekim and Shahmaran is told at length, and Shahmaran tells Lokman the healing herbs. A different form of the Lokman the Hekim and Shahmaran legends, which are very common in Çukurova and the surrounding provinces, is also told in İçel. The Illuyanka Legend, which was told during the Hittite period, tells the story of Illuyanka, a snake-like creature, fighting the Storm God. Another mythological subject that could be a source for the Shahmaran Legend is "Medusa". In Greek mythology, Medusa, who was beheaded by Perseus, physically resembles Shahmaran, the queen of snakes.