Karkadann
The Karkadann (Arabic كركدن karkadann or karkaddan from Kargadan, Persian: كرگدن) is a mythical creature said to have lived on the grassy plains of India and Persia.
This folio from Walters manuscript W.659 depicts a Karkadann. | |
| Grouping | Legendary creature |
|---|---|
| Similar entities | Qilin, Re'em, Indrik, Shadhavar, Camahueto, Unicorn |
| Folklore | Medieval Persian tradition |
| Region | India, Persia |
The word kargadan also means rhinoceros in Persian and Arabic.
Depictions of karkadann are found also in North Indian art. Like the unicorn, it can be subdued by virgins and acts ferociously toward other animals. Originally based on the Indian rhinoceros (one of the meanings of the word) and first described in the 10th/11th century, it evolved in the works of later writers to a mythical animal "with a shadowy rhinocerine ancestor" endowed with strange qualities, such as a horn with medicinal qualities.
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