Namaeh Farhangistan

Namaeh Farhangistan

The Reflection of Ancient Indo-Iranian Concept Regarding the Hero’s Special Weapon in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Professor, Department of Ancient Culture and Languages, Faculty of Persian Literature and Foreign Languages, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
This article offers an explanation on a verse from Ferdowsi's Shāhnāmeh that has yet to receive a persuasive interpretation. The verse in question is as follows:
پس پشتشان زال بــا کـــیقباد          به یک دست آتش به یک دست باد
Some researchers have interpreted "fire" and "wind" as allusions to "swiftness and speed" imagining the second hemistich to describe the flanks of the Iranian army. Others have considered "fire" a metaphor for "sword" and "wind" a metaphor for Zāl's horse. However, these interpretations are not convincing. There is ample evidence showing that fire has long been considered a weapon used by worrier gods and heroes to combat darkness and evil forces. In our view, the theme and content of the verse reflect the same ancient belief that Zāl is armed with fire and wind to fight and destroy the Turanians, who represent the forces of evil in the Iranian national epic.
Keywords
Subjects

References
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Volume 24, Issue 6 - Serial Number 100
Nameh Farhangestan (Literary Studies)
January and February 2026
Pages 19-28

  • Receive Date 18 September 2024
  • Revise Date 20 September 2024
  • Accept Date 25 September 2024