Roc

Roc is a legendary giant bird from Middle Eastern and South Asian folklore. It is most famously described in the tales of the Thousand and One Nights and in later Persian and Indian literature. The English name roc derives from the Arabic rukḵ (or rukkh), with related forms in Persian and other languages, and the creature is sometimes called the rukhs in various texts.

Descriptions of the roc vary, but it is typically portrayed as an enormous bird with a wingspan that dwarfs ordinary birds. Legends say it can seize animals as large as elephants or whales and carry them off in flight. Roc nests are said to be on inaccessible mountains or remote islands, and its eggs are described as enormous, sometimes as large as a person.

In the stories, the roc features prominently in the adventures of Sinbad the Sailor, who is carried away by the bird to its nest and must rely on wit and fortune to escape. The tale emphasizes the bird’s extraordinary size and power, serving as a potent symbol of danger and marvel. Beyond Sinbad, the roc appears in various folklore and travelers’ reports that helped establish its fame.

In modern culture, the roc remains a standard emblem of a colossal bird and appears in fantasy literature, cinema, and games. It is a common monster in role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons and has appeared in adaptations of Arabian Nights in film and animation, where it continues to symbolize awe, danger, and the unknown.