Mohammad ansari; jahangi safari; Ebrahim zaheri abdevand
Abstract
The story of Baradaran-e-Talaee is a well-known tale in Bakhtiari culture, rich in mythological motifs such as sacrificial rituals for the mother goddess, character comparisons with ...
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The story of Baradaran-e-Talaee is a well-known tale in Bakhtiari culture, rich in mythological motifs such as sacrificial rituals for the mother goddess, character comparisons with gods, and symbolic elements such as rings, snow, mountains, and pomegranates. A proper understanding of this story depends on recognizing these motifs. This research explores them in connection with texts such as Shahnameh, using a documentary and descriptive-analytical approach. Findings show that the central myth in this story is marriage to the Peri and its associated rituals, some of which—such as ritualized marriages involving water sources, including aqueducts—are still observed in certain regions of Iran. Furthermore, the story’s characters are either transformed gods or modeled after divine archetypes. For example, the Darvish, with both Ahura and Ahriman aspects, resembles the god Vayus. Many traits of the Peri—such as her connection to water and springs, sacrificial rituals, transfiguration, and turning the hero into stone—are reflected in the actions of the cave girl. Certain events, such as the ritualistic killing of a young man or Darvish at a fountain, are rooted in sacrificial rites to the water goddess. Transforming characters into gold symbolizes immortality, while exogamy and the prominent role of the father and daughter in mythological marriage reflect deep-rooted ancient traditions.
