User talk:Persianne
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This was originally posted as a hoax article, it is kept here for reference. |
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This page contains material which is kept because it is considered humorous. It is not intended, nor should it be used, for any remotely serious purpose. |
| Hindu Kush | |
|---|---|
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Tirich Mir
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| Countries | Afghanistan, Pakistan |
| Northern Areas | |
| Highest point | Tirich Mir |
| - coordinates | |
| - elevation | 7,690 m (25,230 ft) |
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There have been legends of the Persian Panda, or "sacred bears", living in the far north-eastern valleys of Persia, or further east in the Hindu Kush mountain range (south west Himalayas), since ancient times. The sacred bears are described as having black and white fur and eating only a vegetarian diet, which matches the Giant Panda. However, their presence has never been fully substantiated, perhaps because of the high reverence in which they are held. Due to their sacred nature, no local people would ever have tried to hunt or capture them. The inaccessibility of these high mountains, with their impassable heights and many hidden valleys, also must have helped to keep them safe.
The earliest written reference to the "sacred bears" is in the sixth century BCE by Scylax the explorer. Scylax had been sent by the Emperor Darius I of Persia to explore the ancient land of Gandhara, (today southern Afghanistan and the Punjab region), and trace the Indus river to the sea. During his time in Gandhara, Scylax learned of the hidden valley and wrote of its population of sacred bears. They were considered sacred because they had chosen to eat only vegetation to avoid killing and eating other animals. The people of Gandhara believed that being vegetarian showed a great capacity for compassion and therefore indicated a high level of enlightenment in the sacred bears.
Ahmad ibn Rustah Esfahani, the famous 10th century Persian explorer, tells of travelling a long way east through the mountains and of eventually discovering the hidden sacred valley. There he saw numerous Panda bears living in peace and harmony with all other living things. He described the valley as lush green and full of birds, butterflies and all manner of life, surrounded by high barren mountains. He believed that it was the original Garden of Eden (which has always been described as being in the East).
In ancient myths and legends the Persian Panda is the embodiment of universal love. Legends describe how, after the creation of all living things, the creator had a great deal of love left over. He poured all of this love into one last perfect creation, the Persian Panda. According to the legends, this is why anyone who sees a Panda can only feel love for it.
