Document Type : Original Article
Abstract
Ferdowsi's Shahnameh is replete with overt and covert mythological themes that have either vanished or undergone significant transformations, rendering their comprehension a complex endeavor requiring contemplation and, at times, recourse to informal cultural domains. The Shahnameh employs artistic forms and literary devices, such as metaphors, allusions, and symbols, to convey certain themes, beliefs, and associated customs. Consequently, limiting these expressions to their artistic context hinders a deeper understanding of their underlying meanings. The term "بچۀ دیو" (child of the demon), employed to describe Zaal's unusual birth and subsequent rejection, exemplifies such expressions. This study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach, employing content analysis to unravel the hidden meanings and mythological beliefs associated with the concept of "بچۀ دیو". The findings suggest that the perception of Zaal as an evil entity stemmed from the belief that he was either switched with his doppelganger or that Ahriman, the embodiment of evil, had a hand in his birth. Consequently, he was ostracized from society to either eliminate him or, through a complex and symbolic process, allow the true Zaal to reclaim his rightful place and return to society, thereby safeguarding the nation and lineage from the harm of demonic and malevolent forces.
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