“Scientific and Specialized Journal of Modern Literary Research”

“Scientific and Specialized Journal of Modern Literary Research”

Representation and interaction of the myths of the cow and the moon in the story of the Mahpishani

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Tayyaba Sheikh Vaisi 1
somaye Aghajani Kolkhoran 2
1 PhD student, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Al-Zahra University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Hankook University of Foreign Studies, Seoul, South Korea.
Abstract
Since long ago, myths have played a significant role in the conscious and unconscious of nations. Humans were always in contact with myths in their most basic contact with literature, i.e., children's stories and lullabies. The "Mahpishani" story is one of the ancient folk tales that was passed down from one generation to another, orally and in writing, throughout the Iranian culture and civilization. This story is full of Iranian myths and beliefs. The present study, which was carried out in a descriptive-analytical method and by library sources, mentions the moon and the cow myths and their function and interaction in the Mahpishani story. In addition, it was discussed how these two elements advance the story and prepare the story's main character for his journey to reach fertility and creation. Considering the representation of the moon and the cow as symbols of femininity and fertility and the narrative base of the "Mahpishani" story, these two archetypes are completely compatible with the story narration. The cow, the symbol of a being sacrificed myth, is a mother who has transformed.
With guidance, she leads her daughter to a well, the femininity symbol. The well and the cave have been symbols of femininity throughout history. At the well, the girl reveals her beautiful nature and finds merit in obtaining the moon, the fertility symbol, by washing her face with water.
Keywords
Forehead
cow
moon
myth
fertility
Subjects
The Holy Quran
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“Scientific and Specialized Journal of Modern Literary Research”
Volume 2, Issue 1 - Serial Number 3
March 2023
Pages 117-132