Aneast wind is awind that originates in theeast and blows in a westward direction. This wind is referenced as symbolism in culture, mythology, poetry, and literature.
InIslam, the east windSaba holds religious significance as it is said to have assisted ProphetMuhammad in theBattle of the Trench,[1] and makes frequent appearances in theQuran.
InChinese culture, east wind (東風; Dōngfēng) is often used as a metaphor for the driving force or momentum of revolution and progress. ThePeople's Liberation Army thus uses "east wind" (Dongfeng) as the name of its tactical missile series.
InGreek mythology,Eurus, the east wind, was the only wind not associated with one of the threeGreek seasons. Eurus is also the only one of these fourAnemoi not mentioned in Hesiod'sTheogony or in theOrphic Hymns.
InEgyptian mythology,Henkhisesui is the god of the east wind. He was depicted as a man with the head of a Ram.[2]
InRoman mythology the east wind was represented byVulturnus.
In Native AmericanIroquois culture, the east wind is said to be brought by O-yan-do-ne, the Moose spirit,[3] whose breath blows grey mist and sends down cold rains upon the earth.
TheAuthorized King James Version of the EnglishOld Testament makes some seventeen references to the east wind. In Chapter 41 of Genesis, thePharaoh's dream, which is interpreted byJoseph, describes seven years of grain blasted by the east wind. In Chapters 10 and 14 of Exodus,Moses summons the east wind to bring the locusts that plagueEgypt and to part theRed Sea so that the Children of Israel can escape Pharaoh's armies. Several other references exist, most associating the east wind with destruction. Often, this is destruction of the wicked by God.[4]