Rakhsh

Persian epic character

Rakhsh
Rustam sleeps, while his horse Rakhsh fends off a lion. 1515-22^[1]
Grouping	Mythical creature
Folklore	Persian mythology
Country	Iran

Rakhsh (in Persian: رخش, meaning "luminous") is a wondrous stallion -the brave and faithful steed of the preeminent hero Rostam in the Persian national epic, Shahnameh by the poet Ferdowsi.

The color of Rakhsh is described as "rose leaves that have been scattered upon a saffron ground" and it is first noticed by Rostam amongst the herds of horses brought over from Zabulistan and Kabul. In this first encounter Rakhsh is described as a mighty colt with the chest and shoulders of a lion and it appears to have the strength of an elephant. He is highly intelligent and his loyalty is legendary. No one but Rostam ever rides Rakhsh, and Rakhsh recognizes no one but Rostam as his master. Also, he is the only horse ever that Rostam could ride, since his great strength and weight would kill other horses.

Due to divine favor protecting Rostam, Rakhsh lives an unusually long life. Rostam and Rakhsh both die by the treason of Rostam's half-brother, Shaghad.

Raḵšā (Rakhsha) in Aramaic means horse.^[2]

References

^ British Museum
^ "The Comprehensive Aramaic Lexicon".

Shahnameh of Ferdowsi

Characters

Pishdadian	Keyumars Hushang Tahmuras Jamshid Fereydun Iraj Manuchehr Nowzar Zaav Garshasp
Kayanian	Kay Kawād Kay Kāvus Kay Khosrow Kay Lohrasp Goshtasb Kay Bahman Humay Chehrzad Kay Darab Dara II
Male characters	Jamasp Siamak Shahrasp Abtin Kayanoush Kāve Arash Salm Tur Qobád Qaren Tous Gostaham Gershasp Nariman Sām Zāl Rostam Sohrab Esfandiyār Pashotan Faramarz Fariborz Siyâvash Farud Zangay-i Shavaran Kashvad Goudarz Giv Bizhan Rohham Bahram Hojir Gorgin Zavara Shaghad Rostam Farrokhzād Barbad Eskandar (Alexander)
Female characters	Faranak Arnavāz Shahrnāz Sindukht Rudaba Sudabeh Tahmina Banu Goshasp Gordafarid Farangis Manizheh Katāyoun
Tazian	Mardas Zahhak Mehrab Kaboli
Turanian	Zadashm Pashang Aghrirat Garsivaz Afrasiab Tageuo Shideh Arjasp Viseh Piran Houman Barman Nastihan Biderafsh
Clans and families	Kashvadian House of Goudarz House of Viseh House of Nowzar House of Sasan House of Sām