Zilant

Part of a series on the
History of Tatarstan
Great Bulgaria Turco-Mongols Great Tartary Volga Bulgaria Kipchaks Mongol invasion Golden Horde Khanate of Kazan Muscovy Kazan Governorate Tatar ASSR Republic of Tatarstan
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Turkic mythology
Belief system Tengrism Shamanism
Chief gods and goddesses Tengri Kayra Ülgen Erlik Umay Bai Baianai Ak Ana Mergen
Epics and heroes Ergenekon Metehan Oghuz Khagan Asena Attila
Major concepts Sheka İye Grey wolf Kut
Category File
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Zilant (Russian: Зилант; Tatar: җылан, romanized: cılan/jılan, lit. 'snake') is a legendary creature, something between a dragon and a wyvern in Turkic mythology (especially Tatar). Since 1730, it has been the official symbol of Kazan. This winged snake is mentioned in legends about the foundation of Kazan.

A Zilant is a legendary creature with the head of a dragon, the body of a bird, the legs of a chicken, the tail of a snake, the ears of a canine, the red wings of a bat or bird, sharp teeth, dark-gray feathers and scaly dark-gray skin.