Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

A Comparative Study of the Position of Myths in the Lives of the Divine Prophets and the Mythological Characters of the Shahnameh, Based on Two Versions: Qasas al-Anbiya and the Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Akram Jokar 1
Manizheh Falahi 2
Reza Fahimi 3
1 PhD student, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Humanities, Saveh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Humanities, Saveh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Humanities, Saveh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran.
10.22034/ias.2022.364115.2068
Abstract
The present research conducts a comparative study of the myths of passage through water and fire and the myth of the abandoned child in the lives of the divine prophets and the mythological characters of the Shahnameh. The mythological and heroic sections of the Shahnameh are replete with ancient myths originating from the beliefs of ancient Iranian peoples, and reflections of these beliefs and traditions are sometimes seen even among contemporary people. These myths include mythological characters, beliefs, places, creatures, and tools; what is addressed in this research is the mention of three instances of myths from the Shahnameh, parallels of which are also seen in the lives of the Ulu al-'Azm (Arch) prophets, and we aim to examine the archetype of passage through water and fire and flight to the sky among the mythological characters of the Shahnameh such as Fereydun, Siavash, and Kay Kawus, and their common aspects in the lives of prophets such as Moses, Abraham, and Solomon (peace be upon them). The research method in this study is qualitative and uses a library method to examine various texts; also, a reasoning approach has been employed for analysis and interpretation. The conclusion is that the observed mythological motifs in the lives of the divine prophets have found their way into Iranian mythological stories, including Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, and traces of some similar mythological rites can be found in the lives of the prophets and the mythological characters of the Shahnameh.
Research Objectives:


Understanding the myth of passage through water and fire and the abandoned child and their examples in the lives of the divine prophets.


Comparing the myth of passage through water and fire and the abandoned child among the mythological characters of the Shahnameh and the lives of the prophets.


Research Questions:


What was the general position of myth among the mythological characters of the Shahnameh and the divine prophets?


In what form were the common aspects of the myth of passage through water and fire and flight to the sky among the mythological characters of the Shahnameh and the divine prophets?
Keywords
Qasas al-Anbiya (Stories of the Prophets)
Shahnameh
Myth of Passage Through Water and Fire
Myth of the Abandoned Child
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