Symbolic and Archetypal Analysis of the Myth of 'Houshang’s Battle with the Black Snake' in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh

Abstract Symbols and archetypes are the most important structural elements of myths in different societies. They also play a significant role in the Iranian mythology. One of the mythical narrations quoted in Shahnameh and includs symbols and archetypes is the myth of 'Houshang's Battle with the Black Snake'. Despite the importance of this mythical narrative, not much research has been done in this area. Assessing the mythical roots, symbols, and archetypes in this narrative could be accompanied by investigating many historical mysteries of ancient Iranians. The present study was carried out in a descriptive-analytical manner and based on library data. The purpose was to analyze the myth of 'Houshang’s Battle with the Black Snake' using symbols and archetypes. The results showed that the black snake burning the world in this myth was a symbol of evil, destruction, and eternal disorder, which was opposed to Houshang as the symbol of goodness, justice, order, and prosperity. The result of such battle was the discovery of a demonic snake and fire and a celebration that was directly related to the superiority of the snake and the discovery of fire. In this myth, archetypes, such as the battle between the good and evil, the battle of the hero with snakes and dragons, the fire and drift of demons, celebrations, etc., could be observed and evaluated. Introduction One of the mythical narrations quoted in Shahnameh is the myth of 'Houshang's Battle with the Black Snake'. This narration is not quoted in other sources. It has the characteristics of a myth. Two of the most important characteristics of myths, on which the present study was based, are their symbolic expressions and common archetypal roots. In the myth of 'Houshang's battle with the Black Snake', like many other myths, the role of symbols and archetypes could be seen. All the symbols and archetypes studied in this research were rooted in mythical beliefs and could be adapted to the ancient Iranians’ religious beliefs. By assessing the symbols, one could discover the roots of the oldest beliefs. Symbol is one of the tools of knowledge and the oldest and most fundamental method of expression. The myth of 'Houshang's Battle with the Black Snake' also contained several symbols that could be studied to analyze the myth in question and find the roots of many religious and historical beliefs of the ancient Iranians. Archetype is another highly important structural element of myths in different societies. In Iranian myths, as in the myths of other societies, archetypes play a significant role, which is closely related to the ancient Iranians’ religious traditions. In the myth of 'Houshang's Battle with the Black Snake', these archetypes were also seen. Upon evaluating the myth, the archetypal and symbolic roots of this narrative in the ancient Iranians’ traditions and beliefs were clarified. Materials & Methods Since the present study was a library research, library data constituted its main materials. The research method was descriptive-analytical with a symbolic approach and archetypal critique. Discussion of Results & Conclusions The results of this study indicated that the narration of 'Houshang's battle with the Black Snake' was a mythical narrative and had the characteristics of a myth. In this myth, there are symbols and archetypes rooted in the ancient Iranians’ beliefs. The hero's battle with the snake or the dragon was the first archetype to be found in this mythical narrative with its own symbolism. In ancient beliefs, a snake is a two-dimensional creature. In some beliefs, it is a positive and holy being, while being a negative and demonic being in some others. The symbols and archetypes in the myth of " Houshang’s Battle with the Black Snake" depicted the negative effect of the snake or dragon in the ancient Iranians’ beliefs. The snake was black in this myth, which was referred to as a cosmopolitan attitude. The black color of the snake was a symbol of its demonic nature and its world-burning attribute was a symbol of destruction as well. This snake, like other mythical snakes and dragons, was also a symbol of disorder. In contrast, Houshang as the hero was a symbol of the forces of goodness, justice, order, and prosperity that stood against the black snake. In this battle, Houshang was superior to the black snake, but the snake was not killed, which was by itself a symbol of hardship, as well as immortality of the serpent and the demonic forces in some ways in the ancient beliefs. Houshang's battle with the demonic black snake led to the discovery of fire. In this battle, fire as the divine light played the role of driving away the demonic snake. This role of fire was also an archetype that could be traced in the ancient Iranians’ beliefs and those of the peoples of other societies. With the expulsion of the serpent and the discovery of fire, people celebrated the centenary in commemoration of this event. Celebration was also a recurring archetype that was sometimes associated with superiority over demons in the ancient Iranians’ beliefs.