Kuyūthā (Arabic: كيوثاء) is the cosmic bull in medieval Islamic cosmography. It is said to carry on its back the angel who shoulders the earth and the rock platform upon which the angel stands. The bull is said to stand on the giant fish or whale, Bahamut.
The bull is variously described as having 40,000 horns and legs, or as many eyes, ears, mouths and tongues in the oldest sources. The number of appendages can vary in later versions. Its breathing is said to control the tides of the ocean.
Kīyūbān (Arabic: کیوبان) or Kibūthān (Arabic: کبوثان) also appear in printed editions of Qazwini's cosmography. These have been claimed to be corruptions of Leviathan (Arabic: لوياتان). Alternate names include Al-Rayann.
Kuyootà, Kuyoothán were forms of the name as transcribed by Edward Lane, and given as Kuyata (Spanish), Kujata (first English translation, 1969), and Quyata (revised English translation) in various editions of Jorge Luis Borges's Book of Imaginary Beings.
- ^ "Islamic World Map". World Treasures: Beginnings. Earth. Library of Congress. 29 July 2010.