On the Wings of the Falcon

In the history of the Near East, the high-flying royal falcon symbolizes “good-luck” and “prosperity.” Surprisingly, the crossbar of a balance from the end of which the pans are suspended and the two equal arms or beams are also called “shaaheens” or “falcons.” The handing down of these old traditions and customs leads us to believe that this was not just a mere random act of coincidence. Our judicious forefathers were aware of the secret of the Elixir of Truth and Happiness. Thus, enchantingly, by using a uniquely charming tongue, they laid the secret in the beaks of the falcons. They mystifyingly advised us that our “fortune” and “truth” are feathers of the same bird. They masterfully depicted the relationship of our “kismet” and “uprightness” and used the Falcon to separate the sheep from the goats. Amazingly, our sage forefathers had discovered the elixir of good fortune: And it was nothing but a balanced approach to life. They had realized that “balance” was the key to enjoyment and prosperity in life. Thus they cherished the pair of the scales guided by their beams of equilibrium [shaaheens]. And they named the beams “falcons” meaning “the birds of Luck.”