Previous   Next
Home » CPA0034363

Egypt: The Waq Waq Tree, Kitab Ghara'ib al-funun wa-mulah al-'uyun ('The Book of Curiosities of the Sciences and Marvels for the Eyes'), 12th-13th Centuries

Egypt: The Waq Waq Tree, <i>Kitab Ghara'ib al-funun wa-mulah al-'uyun</i> ('The Book of Curiosities of the Sciences and Marvels for the Eyes'), 12th-13th Centuries

The Waqwaq is a giant tree that bears humanoid fruit in Indo-Persian lore. It is similar to the Japanese Jinmenju, another Human-Like tree.

The Waqwaq is a Persian Oracular Tree, originating from India, whose branches or fruits become heads of men, women or monstrous animals (depending on version) all screaming 'Waq-Waq'.

In the Islamic world, there is a legend about a fabulous tree on the island of Waq Waq, which has fruit in the form of human figures, or heads that talk and make prophesies. Alexander the Great is said to have encountered one such talking tree with human fruit.