Shahmaran: The mythical symbol inspiring Turkish artists
The Shahmaran is a mythical figure that is popular in Turkish folklore. It is half woman, half snake and comes from the Persian words Shah and Maran, meaning 'the ruler of the snakes'. For some, it is seen as a sign of betrayal while for others it is a good luck symbol placed in houses to ward off evil spirits or bad luck.
In Discovering the World's Culture, Nikki Bedi visits Mardin in South East Turkey to talk to local artist Nurettin Çakmak about how the symbol inspired his work.
