Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Assistant Professor of Iranology, Department of Geography, Tourism and Iranology, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
2 PhD in Studies of Art
Abstract
In the Shahnameh, there is a section titled "A Chapter on the Creation of the Sun and the Moon," in which the verses describe the sun and the moon. At first glance, these verses and their arrangement seem to have no clear connection with the verses that come before them, leading some to believe that this section may have been added later to the Shahnameh.
This research is analytical-descriptive in nature and occasionally uses semiotics and symbolism to explore the deeper dimensions of a seemingly simple text. The findings of this study show that the content of these verses symbolically reflects the beliefs, worldview, and philosophical and mythological perspectives of ancient Iranians; particularly the struggle between light and darkness, and good versus evil. Just as the creation stories in ancient Iranian texts portray a battle between Ahura Mazda and Ahriman, in these verses from the preface of the Shahnameh, without directly naming them, the poet artistically uses symbols that reflect the same mythological and philosophical ideas.
Some of these ancient beliefs have been echoed in historical and literary texts from the Islamic period of Iran, both before and after Ferdowsi. These references help us better understand the meanings behind the concepts he used. Furthermore, this style of praising the sun and the moon is connected to the philosophical discussion of the precedence and succession of day and night in the worldview of ancient Iranians; a theme that can also be seen in texts from Ferdowsi's era.
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