Shai-Hulud

This article or section refers to elements from Original Dune

The Prophet of Dune artwork by John Schoenherr

"Over here sand blows, over there sand blows. Over there a rich man waits, over here I wait."

―The Voice of Shai-Hulud, from the Oral History

Shai-Hulud was the Fremen term for the sandworm of Arrakis.

As with many Fremen terms and words, Shai-Hulud was more than a descriptive term for a physical entity. Specifically, it often alluded to the Fremen belief that the sandworm was a physical embodiment of the One God that created and governed the universe. Thus to the Fremen Shai-Hulud was a sacred term that was usually spoken with a tone of awe, fear, or respect.

Linguistically, Shai-Hulud had many poetic translations, all of which spoke of the size, age, and power of the sandworm. Among the noted translations were:

• "Old Man of the Desert"
• "Old Father Eternity"
• "Grandfather of the Desert"

Behind the scenes

• Shai-Hulud originates from Arabic: شَيْء خُلُود Shayʾ-Khulud. This translates as "Thing of Eternity" or "Thing of Immortality", consisting of Shayʾ "thing of" (in construct state) and Khulud "eternity" or "immortality".

Appearances

• Dune
• Dune Messiah
• Children of Dune
• God Emperor of Dune
• Heretics of Dune
• Chapterhouse: Dune