Balkis

Balkis, often rendered Bilqis, is traditionally identified as the Queen of Sheba, a ruler associated with the ancient kingdom of Saba in the southern Arabian Peninsula. The figure appears in multiple cultural and religious traditions, making her one of the best-known monarchs from the biblical and Islamic narratives.

In the Hebrew Bible, the Queen of Sheba travels to Solomon in Jerusalem to test his wisdom with difficult questions and to observe his wealth. She brings lavish gifts, and Solomon’s wisdom is said to astonish her; she departs praising the God of Israel and returning to her land.

In Islamic tradition, Bilqis is the queen of Saba who rules with power and wealth. She is introduced to the signs of Solomon’s prophethood and the power of his God. After considering these signs, she sends gifts to Solomon, and according to some tellings, she ultimately submits to the one God.

Geographically, the Sabaean kingdom is linked with the ancient region of Saba in what is now Yemen, with some traditions extending influence into parts of southwestern Saudi Arabia. The historicity of Balkis is debated among scholars, and accounts vary across sources.

Legacy and usage: Bilqis/Balkis has continued to appear in later Islamic, Ethiopian, and Arab folklore and literature. The name is used as a female given name in various cultures, and the Queen of Sheba remains a prominent symbol of wealth, wisdom, and cross-cultural encounter in historical and literary contexts.