I chose the Homa (هما) because I’m fascinated by Iran’s ancient history.I first encountered it in the sculptures and carvings at Persepolis, where 2,500-year-old artefacts demonstrate how deeply this bird was revered. Later, I discovered that Iran Air’s logo is based on the Homa or Huma, which made me curious to learn more. My research revealed that the Homa [or Huma] is a legendary bird from Persian mythology, symbolising fortune, prosperity and national pride in Iran.
It’s often seen as a magical creature that brings happiness and good luck. In the ancient Pahlavi language, the word Homa even means joyful and fortunate. Persian literature has long celebrated the Homa’s kind and noble nature, too: “Homa surpasses all birds, for it eats only bones and harms no living creature.”
The mythical bird is believed to be inspired by the bearded vulture, which lives in the high mountains of Alborz and Zagros in Iran. These birds can live over 3,000–4,000 metres above sea level! Bearded vultures also don’t hunt; they feed only on bones from dead animals. Incredibly, they also rub iron-rich red dirt onto their feathers, turning their wings red. This explains why Persian art traditionally depicts the Homa with bright red wings.
There’s a famous story of a king who had no son to inherit his kingdom. When a Homa flew overhead, it was decreed that whoever the bird’s shadow fell upon would be chosen as the next king. The shadow landed on a poor orphan boy, who then became king. Thanks to this tale, many Persians believe that having a vulture (like the Homa) fly over you brings good fortune.
In Zoroastrianism, the ancient religion of Persia, people placed the bodies of their loved ones on mountain tops, where the Homa would consume their bones. This practice wasn’t seen as frightening – it was considered sacred, symbolising the soul’s liberation and return to the divine.
