The Simurgh returning Zal to his Father, page from a Shahnama of Firdausi

One tale from the Book of Kings is the story of Zal, a child of royal lineage who had the misfortune of being born with snow-white hair. This was considered a sign of demonic possession, so Zal's father abandoned the infant at the foot of Mount Alburz. Fortunately for Zal, a Simurgh, or mythical bird, resided at the mountain's summit. She saved the infant from certain death and raised him with her own offspring. Many years passed, and Zal's father had a dream in which he was castigated for abandoning his son. He set out on a quest to find Zal and eventually discovered him right where he had left him, at Mount Alburz, with the faithful and caring Simurgh who had raised him.

This miniature from a Persian Shahnama manuscript dating to the late-fifteenth or early-sixteenth century depicts the emotional reunion between father and son. As the search party watches in amazement below, the Simurgh descends from the heights of Mount Alburz with the fully grown Zal riding on her back. Father and son recognize each other and reach out in a joyous reunion. In this image, however, the human figures are not as significant as the magnificent landscape and the spectacular Simurgh. The imposing Mount Alburz is represented in pinks and blues, with rocky outcroppings and abstract trees; the golden sky above enhances the mythical, surreal quality of the scene. The Simurgh herself is the center of the composition, represented as a phoenix in a form borrowed from Chinese art. Her bright colors and extravagant plumage draw the viewer's attention to the center of the image. In the end, Zal returns to his father's kingdom. He maintains a close relationship with the Simurgh—who will come to his aid once again—and becomes a brave warrior and just ruler who administers his kingdom with fairness and virtue.