Persian Literary Hero
Arash The Archer Arash is an Iranian national hero who sacrificed his life for the glory of his country
Ahora Mazda, The Enchant God
About The Enchant Persia Iran which previously known as Persia is one of the oldest country in the world and home to one of the oldest civilization around 6000 years. The long history of Iran has always been mixed with mysterious myths and heroic legends.
Ahora Mazda is God of ancient Iran, which is called Zoroastrianism. Ahora Mazda was invited people to have Good Thoughts, Good Deeds, Good Words and for this reason Iranian myths influenced by these pillars. Patriotism and sacrificing for country is another teaching of Ahora Mazda. There are many legends in Iranian literature such as Rostam and Sohrab in Shahnameh(book of king of kings), Babak who fought against all enemy’s invasion of Iran and many others; but one of the famous legend, which has never lost its popularity throughout history is Arash the Archer, the symbol of braveness and patriotism.
Highest Mount in the Alborz mountain
DAMAVAND MOUNT �ome �o �any Iranian �yths
In the north of Iran there is a mountain called Alborz that is home to many Iranian myths. Arash Kamangir’s myth will start from the highest mount in the Alborz which is called Damavand. Damavand mount is in the center of Iranian mythology. This distinguished volcano has a special place in Iranian legend, the legend “Arash Kamangir” sacrificed his life for the glory of his country. He puts all his force and life energy in drawing a powerful bow to transfer to an arrow, a shot which flew a very long distance.
THE Story Of
ARASH At the end of war between Iran and the invaders Turan, Turan who had advanced close to Mount Damavand in Iran. To declare cease fire, Afrasiab the king of Turan, for contempt of Iran suggested, Iranians were to shoot an arrow towards Turan and wherever the arrow landed, the new border between Iran and Turan would be drawn. Ă‚rash volunteered to shoot the arrow and so One morning of Tir (July), Arash climbed Mount Damavand and faced north-east, direction of Turan lands, and with all his strength pulled his bow and let the arrow fly. The legend of the heroic archer, Arash, put his life on an arrow and became one with the arrow and threw it by a bow. The arrow flew the whole morning and fell at noon - 2250 kilometers on the bank of the Oxus River in what is now Central Asia. The river remained the boundary between
When Arash let his bow go, he fell to the ground on Mount Damavand and passed away but his body was never found. According to narrations Arash’s body was torn apart and the wind spread across the whole land of Iran.
People say that they heard Arash’s voice which helped them find their ways and saved their lives. Story tellers said, Arash knew if he threw the arrow he would die but Arash who was just a brave courier of the Iranian army, accepted the challenge. The other strong archers of the army baned Arash from this job but he did not listen to them and did what he thought was right. There are stories from travelers who were lost on the Damawand Mountain. Who say that they heard Arash’s voice which helped them find their ways and saved their lives. Arash the Archer is a symbol of patriotism and sacrifice, the symbol of bravery in the Persian history
Modern legend Arash and
Contemporary literature
Siavash Kasraie, contemporary Iranian poet, wrote the long poem of Arash the Archer in 1959. This epic narrative is based on this ancient Persian myth. Bahram Bayzai in 1977 who is one of famous directors in Iranian cinema and theater, directed a play based on Arash’s story.
Neither a short story nor a play and in part a response to the former’s Arash the archer, Beyzai’s Āraš was staged a number of times around the world, most notably in Annenberg Auditorium, Stanford University California in July 2013.
Persian Calendar Persian Calendar is the most accurate calendar in the world In Persian calendar which called Jalali, Tiregan (July) is first month of summer; the summer solstice celebrates the life of Arash Kamangir. People gather on this day and cook special soup which called Ash. This Ash is symbol of blessing. In this day people celebrate and memorise Arash for what he did and for who he was.
Siavash Kasraie
Final Part of Arash’s Poem
Told or untold here are so many points The open sky The rosy sun The gardens of flowers The planes all wide and open The rise of flower from under the snow The soft dance of the fish in the crystal glass The smell of rainy soil in the highland The sleeping of the wheat farms in the moonlight To come, to go, to run To love To feel sorrow Or to dance when people are delighted To work, to act Yea, Yea, Life is beautiful Life is an everlasting fire-temple If you lighten it, you’ll see the flames dancing in every border And if not, it will be quiet, and that will be our fault The Iranian army was so worried Tow by tow were mumbling Children standing on the roofs Girls sitting in the alleys Mothers standing beside the doors sadly People were like a wild sea It was windy, angry And a man like a pearl was born out of the sea
It was windy, angry And a man like a pearl was born out of the sea The Iranian army was so worried Tow by tow were mumbling Children standing on the roofs Girls sitting in the alleys Mothers standing beside the doors sadly People were like a wild sea It was windy, angry And a man like a pearl was born out of the sea It’s me, Arash He began like this to talk to the enemy It’s me Arash, the free army man I’m ready now Don’t ask about my ancestor I’m the child of working and trying Running like a shooting-star from the sky Like a morning ready to meet The earth was quiet, the sky was quiet As if all the world was listening to Arash Little by little sun appeared from behind the mountains Thousands of golden spears were thrown to the sky’s eyes Arash took a look at the city, calmly Children on the roofs Girls sitting in the alleys Mothers sad, sitting beside the doors