Bahamut
In its own language: بهموت
from Hebrew Behemoth, altered in pre-Islamic Arab tradition
A cosmic fish or bull that supports the earth in medieval Islamic cosmography
Bahamut is a giant creature described in medieval Arabic cosmographies as the foundation of the world. It lies beneath an angel and a bull, holding up the earth in a vast sea. The name derives from the biblical Behemoth, reshaped through Arab storytelling into a layer of the universe.
- Giant fish supporting an angel and the earth
- Name derived from biblical Behemoth
- Movements cause earthquakes and tides
- Featured in medieval Arabic cosmographies
- Used as a name in modern fantasy media
What it is
Bahamut is a colossal being found in medieval Arabic texts that describe the structure of the universe. It acts as the base layer supporting the earth. In most accounts, it is a giant fish or whale suspended in water. Some versions identify it as a bull named Kuyutha'. The creature holds up a slab of gemstone, upon which stands an angel who carries the weight of the world. This image places Bahamut at the very bottom of the cosmic order.
Where it comes from
The name comes from the biblical Behemoth mentioned in the Book of Job. Over time, Arab storytellers reshaped this figure. They may have confused the terrestrial behemoth with the aquatic leviathan. Early sources used names like Lutīyā or Balhūt before Bahamut became common. The concept appears in works by al-Qazwini, Yaqut al-Hamawi, and Ibn al-Wardi. These writers compiled descriptions of wonders and geography.
Tools and materials
The cosmology uses specific materials to show scale. A single nostril of the fish could hold all the world's seas like a mustard seed. The angel stands on a ruby or gemstone slab. Beneath the fish lies another beast called Falak. Water surrounds the fish, and some texts mention a sea named 'Adwad. The layers create a stable but immense foundation for the land above.
Bahamut, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Islamic cosmography
What it is for
Bahamut serves a structural role in the ancient worldview. It keeps the earth from falling. Its movements explain natural events. The breathing of the bull causes tides to rise and fall. When the fish and bull drink too much water, they become agitated, causing earthquakes. Their eventual engorgement signals the end of days.
Who does it
Scholars and writers recorded these ideas. Al-Qazwini wrote about them in his cosmography. Edward Lane translated and summarized these accounts for Western readers. Commentators on the Quran linked the letter nun to the fish. They saw the shape of the letter as resembling the bent back of the creature under its heavy burden.
Peoples and places
The belief is central to Islamic cosmography. It appears in Persian and Arab texts. Japanese folklore shares a similar idea with the jinshin-uwo, or earthquake fish. Chinese and Indochinese traditions also feature world-fish motifs. These cultures use the movement of a giant animal to explain seismic activity.
At a glance: who, where and when
Belief worlds
What people believe
The universe rests on layers of beasts and stones. God controls these creatures to maintain balance. An account says Iblis tried to make the fish cause an earthquake. God distracted it with gnats or a sword-like fish. The text of the Quran mentions the letter nun, which commentators interpreted as the fish itself. The creature swears by the divine order.
How scholars and sceptics see it
Jorge Luis Borges analyzed Bahamut in his Book of Imaginary Beings. He noted how the biblical Behemoth was magnified into a cosmic entity. He placed the fish in the tales of One Thousand and One Nights. Folklorists compare the Arab bull motif with Asian fish motifs. They note regional differences in explaining earthquakes.
Compare and confuse
Atlas from Greek mythology carries the sky, while Bahamut carries the earth. The World Turtle supports the land in other myths. Makara is an Indo-Iranian analogue. Dandan is another large fish in Arabian lore. Leviathan is the biblical source that evolved into Bahamut.
Today
The name appears in modern fantasy games and books. Dungeons & Dragons uses it for a dragon god. Final Fantasy features it as a summon. Anime and novels adapt the name for dragons or monsters. These uses borrow the name but change the nature of the creature completely.
Questions people ask about Bahamut
What is Bahamut?
It is a giant fish or bull in medieval Islamic cosmography. It lies beneath the earth, supporting a gemstone slab and an angel that holds up the world.
Where does the name come from?
It comes from the Hebrew word Behemoth. Arab storytellers altered the figure, possibly mixing it with the leviathan, to create a cosmic support beast.
Why is it important in old texts?
It explains the structure of the universe. Its actions are said to cause natural events like tides and earthquakes, showing the power of the divine order.
Is it related to other myths?
Yes. It resembles the World Turtle and Atlas. Japanese folklore has the jinshin-uwo, a fish that causes earthquakes, which scholars compare to Bahamut.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Bahamut", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
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