Sarimanok is a legendary bird of the Maranao people who came from Mindanao.
Etymology
Manok is a tagalong word for chicken.
Description
Sarimanok is a legendary bird that became a symbol of Maranao art. It is illustrated as a fowl with colourful wings and feathered tail that holds a fish on its beaks or talons. The head of Sarimanok is liberally adorned with scroll, leaf, and spiral motifs. The Maranaos believed that it is a symbol of good fortune.
Origin
The Sarimanok originated from a totem bird of the Maranaos known as Itotoro. Itotoro acts as a medium to the spirit world through its invisible twin spirit bird called Inikadowa.
Some people believed that it also originated from an Islamic legend. The legend relays that Muhammad found a rooster in the first of the seven heavens. It was big enough that its crest touched the second heaven. When it crows, awakens all living creatures except man. It is believed that judgement day would come if this heavenly rooster stopped to crow.