Abstract
Jahangard *
Institute for humanities and cultural studies
Seddighi* * T. Golestani ***
University of Hormozgan
The myths talk to human through ...
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Jahangard *
Institute for humanities and cultural studies
Seddighi* * T. Golestani ***
University of Hormozgan
The myths talk to human through a mysterious and complex language expressing very deep and mysterious concepts through their unique language, i.e., symbol. Symbol, in addition to expressing very deep concepts the discovery of which helps us acquire a better understanding of the nature of human, always indicates the contradictions and links in the world of myths, fictions, stories, and epics. The myths symbolically represents the conflict between the light and the darkness, the earth and the sky, the rain and the drought, the sun and the moon as the war between the gods and the devils, the owl and the raven, the snake and the bird, the hero and the dragon, etc. The conflict between the light and the darkness is an example of such clashes considered as the fundamental principles of ancient Iranian culture.
In the tale of "the owl and the raven" in Kalilah-va Dimnah, the owl may be the symbol of night and darkness and the moon, while the raven symbolizes the day, the light, and the sun. Hence, the victory of the ravens over the owls symbolizes the victory of Mithraism over Lunar deity.
* Assistant Professor of Persian Language & Literature. fjahangard@yahoo.com
** Assistant Professor of Persian Language & Literature. navisa_man@yahoo.com
*** M.A. Persian Language & Literature. golestani.tayebeh@yahoo.com
Received: 6/13/2009 Accepted: 1/12/2011
