# Noorna bin Noorka — The Shaving of Shagpat character guide > Noorna bin Noorka in The Shaving of Shagpat by George Meredith. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Noorna, Noorka **First appearance:** 0000-the-thwackings ## Snapshot A sorceress who jeers, guides, and betroths herself to Shibli, keeping enchantments alive while he climbs toward the impossible. ## Who they are Noorna bin Noorka rides beside Shibli on an enchanted ass, her magic so precise that a single sunrise could thaw her spells and lose them their mount. She teases the beast, mocks its sullenness, and keeps Shibli's spirits merry even as she sends him alone into caverns and wells. Her betrothal to him is both tender and tactical: she reads his fresh, healthy radiance as proof that the children of Aklis will not resist him, and she waits by the mountain with a phial, counting on his return. ## Relationships ### [Shibli Bagarag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/shibli_bagarag) _romantic_ Noorna is Shibli's devoted wife and magical mentor, guiding him through his quest with love and wisdom. ### [Feshnavat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/feshnavat) _family_ Feshnavat is Noorna's father, and they share a close familial bond with mutual respect and magical collaboration. ### [Shagpat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/shagpat) _rivalry_ Noorna actively works against Shagpat, using her magic to undermine his power and protect her husband. ### [Genie Karaz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/genie_karaz) _rivalry_ Genie Karaz is a malevolent spirit who opposes Noorna and her family, often clashing with her magic. ### [Koorookh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/koorookh) _friendship_ Koorookh is a magical bird and loyal companion to Noorna, assisting her with wisdom and flight. ### [Kadza](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/kadza) _rivalry_ Kadza is a jealous rival who schemes against Noorna, often using petty magic and deceit. ### [Shagpat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/shagpat) _rivalry_ Noorna actively works against Shagpat, using her magic to undermine his power and protect her husband. ### [Shibli Bagarag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/shibli_bagarag) _romantic_ Noorna is Shibli's devoted wife and magical mentor, guiding him through his quest with love and wisdom. ### [Shibli Bagarag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/shibli_bagarag) _romantic_ Noorna is Shibli's devoted wife and magical mentor, guiding him through his quest with love and wisdom. ### [Feshnavat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/feshnavat) _family_ Feshnavat is Noorna's father, and they share a close familial bond with mutual respect and magical collaboration. ### [Genie Karaz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/genie_karaz) _rivalry_ Genie Karaz is a malevolent spirit who opposes Noorna and her family, often clashing with her magic. ### [Koorookh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/koorookh) _friendship_ Koorookh is a magical bird and loyal companion to Noorna, assisting her with wisdom and flight. ## In the story ### [The Thwackings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-thwackings) Appears first as an old crone who prophesies to Shibli, then later as the Vizier's daughter, sumptuously arrayed and appearing younger, resembling Bhanavar the Beautiful. ### [The Betrothal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-betrothal) The wise daughter of Vizier Feshnavat, enchanted into an old form; she orchestrates the betrothal and reveals Shagpat's enchantment over the city. ### [The Genie Karaz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-genie-karaz) Explains the three bonds of the enterprise and the need for the Sword of Events; demonstrates her power by summoning and subduing the genie Karaz. ### [The Well of Paravid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-well-of-paravid) Guides Shibli through the desert and mountain, uses enchantments to control the ass Karaz, and waits at the cavern while Shibli performs the task. ### [The Horse Garraveen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-horse-garraveen) Guides Shibli, warns him against riding Garraveen a second time, summons Karaz to discipline him, and ties the three hairs of Garraveen to his wrist before parting. ### [The Talking Hawk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-talking-hawk) Mentioned as the one who foresaw Shibli's greatness and gave him the phial of Paravid. ### [The Lily of the Enchanted Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-lily-of-the-enchanted-sea) Noorna appears first as the hawk that intervenes to save Shibli, then as the transformed Lily damsel. She reveals herself to Shibli and sails with him toward Aklis, promising to tell her story. ### [And This Is the Story of Noorna Bin Noorka, the Genie Karaz, and the Princess of Oolb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/and-this-is-the-story-of-noorna-bin-noorka-the-genie-karaz-and-the-princess-of-oolb) Narrates her own backstory, from infancy to her current role as Shibli's betrothed and guide. ### [The Wiles of Rabesqurat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-wiles-of-rabesqurat) Noorna is captured by Abarak with a weighted net after warning Shibli to be true and remember the seventh pillar. ### [The Palace of Aklis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-palace-of-aklis) Shibli's betrothed; her safety on a solitary pillar in the sea motivates Shibli to resist temptation and continue his quest. ### [The Sons of Aklis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-sons-of-aklis) Shibli recalls Noorna in a dream, and she is the motivation for his quest to obtain the Sword. ### [The Sword of Aklis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-sword-of-aklis) Referenced as the faithful betrothed awaiting rescue on the pillar, motivating Shibli's actions. ### [Koorookh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/koorookh) Rescued from the pillar and the kite by Shibli and Koorookh; runs up the blade of the Sword. ### [The Bosom of Noorna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-bosom-of-noorna) Waits on the mountain with Koorookh, divines Shibli's fate, rescues him from the torrent, and revives him in her bosom. ### [The Revival](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-revival) Revives Shibli through a kiss and a plunge into the lake; warns her father Feshnavat of their coming. ### [The Plot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-plot) Discusses the plot with Shibli, agrees to appear as Shagpat's bride to rescue her father, and is transported to the city by the genii. ### [The Dish of Pomegranate Grain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-dish-of-pomegranate-grain) Discusses the impending shaving with her father Feshnavat; she reassures him and prepares to witness the event. ### [The Burning of the Identical](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-burning-of-the-identical) Kneels beside Kadza and shrieks loudest during the abasement; later prompts Kadza to speak to the King, but disappears before Kadza can find her. ### [The Flashes of the Blade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-flashes-of-the-blade) Enters the hall veiled as a bride, delays execution, releases a white dove, and shrieks when Shibli is endangered. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/conclusion) Healed by Gulrevaz in Aklis, returned to Shibli, and married him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/noorna_bin_noorka - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters