It is generally accepted that the origin of the Saljuqids (Seljuks) is the Qiniq clan, one of the clans in the Turkish Oghuz tribe. While it is considered as “a historical fact, ” the origin also has been linked with Afrasiyab, the legendary Turkish hero in Iranian myth by many traditional historians. Although both the origins were stated in many previous studies, it has not been explained why the Saljuqids have been linked with two totally different origins and how traditional historians described it. This article reexamines the descriptions of the origin of the Saljuqids by analyzing all available Arabic and Persian sources written before the end of the 16^th century. Especially, the following two points are focused on: 1. How were the two origins described by traditional historians? 2. How was the image of the Saljuqids formed in after ages?
Conclusions:
1. Even in the Saljuqid period, the Afrasiyab origin, the fictional origin, came to be stated in some sources. After fall of the Saljuqids, the Persian historians preferred the Afrasiyab origin. The main reason for this is that when writing Persian general histories, it was considered important to link the origins of Iranian dynasties, including the Saljuqids, with Iranian mythical heroes. Furthermore, as in the 14^th century Jami'al -Tawarikh of Rashid al-Din, the prototype of the history of the Turkish tribes, the image of the Qiniq is rather negative, the Qiniq origin was avoided.
2. In this background, also there was a positive image of the Saljuqids. In particular, Hamd-Allah Mustawfi, the author of the 14^th century Tarikh-i Guzida, bestowed his utmost praise on the Saljugids, and he was often quoted by later historians. Thus, the positive image of the Saljugids became established, and the dynasty was often praised by later historians.

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