Which four‐legged, flying fictional animal, whose name means ‘lightning’, is known for transporting a holy man through the skies?
There are actually two correct answers:
☞ Buraq, whose name is from a Semitic root referring to lightning (unless it’s instead a Persian name as some say), is a winged equid of 9th‐century literature that has transported Muhammad, archangel Gabriel and the patriarch Abraham.
☞ Blitzen or Blixem, whose name in Dutch also refers to lightning, is a flying reindeer of 19th‐century literature that has transported Saint Nicholas.