Zahhak (Dahaka) is the most terrifying tyrant figure of Iranian and Kurdish mythology. Deceived by Ahriman, two enormous black serpents grew from Zahhak’s shoulders. These serpents had to be fed human brains daily — so Zahhak had two young people killed each day to feed them.
His thousand-year tyranny ended with the blacksmith Kawa’s revolt. The Kurdish Nowruz festival celebrates Kawa’s victory over Zahhak — the fire on the mountain represents the flame Kawa lit as a signal of victory. The hero Feridun defeated Zahhak and chained him to Mount Damavand. Zahhak is the most powerful symbol of tyranny, greed, and demonic power.
