Because of their many colours and their fragrance, irises have found a place everywhere. For a long time they have been used to make medicines. They are very useful in the lives of all peoples: their fragrance is used to make floral water (gulav), and the floral water of Riha (Urfa) was famous throughout the Middle East. Irises adorn home gardens all over the world. Since long ago they have had a place in Kurdish music and song, and Sûsin is also a common girls’ name.
Scientific name
Iris takes its name from the Greek word for the rainbow — in Kurdish, kesk û sor (“green and red”).
Written by Weysî Silêman Elî · Last updated 28 September 2026
