خلاصة:
Horse as a totem of Iranians is a myth that has a significant presence in ritualistic-literary texts of different periods and is considered a recurring myth. Horse has a dual nature in mythologies and also in mystical teachings and is both regarded as a symbol of divine and demonic themes. For its popularity among the Iranians, horse is mostly recognized as a divine symbol. This article seeks to investigate the transformation of the horse myth through the epic era to the mystical period by content-analysis method. The results of the research show that the horse has a special role and position in epic and heroic texts that it is considered as a complement to heroes and helps them in all stages of life. After the epic era, the horse is still a symbol of sublime themes in mystical texts; but because of its rebellious nature, it is also used as a symbol of the soul, however the same soul, upon hard training and by austerity has the ability to be tamed.
ملخص الجهاز:
Another article in this field is a research titled "Literary Analysis of the Epic and Mythological Symbols of the Horse in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh" (2018) by Hassan Tajik and Mehrdad Chatrai, in which the authors introduce the horse in the ritual and ancient texts of Iran as a symbol and manifestation of good fortune, salvation, wisdom, and intelligence, which, even in the Islamic era, while maintaining its value and status, remains the most widely used animal symbol that has acquired a human identity.
In this regard, alongside other animals, "the horse is considered one of the most prominent instinctive symbols of the human unconscious mind" (Chevalier and Gerber, 2009: 1/136); for this reason, the companion is present alongside the hero, is born with him, dies with him, and remains by his side through all stages of the hero's spiritual ascent; just as Shabrang enters the fire with Siavash and does not withdraw support from its rider even in the heart of the fire; the conception of Sohrab and his horse occurs on the same day; Rostam submits to death alongside his companion horse and even rests with him in a shared grave; and Rakhsh is by Rostam's side in all wars and joys, having a striking presence in the Seven Labors as well, even fighting alone in some of the labors, thus acting as an eternal companion and helper to Rostam; such that Rostam introduces Rakhsh as his throne: Zamīn bande va Rakhsh gāh-e man ast / Nagīn-e garz o maghfar kullah-e man ast (Ferdowsi, 123: 2008) Rakhsh is actually a part of Rostam's hidden anger, power, and intelligence, which has manifested in the form of a horse alongside the hero and serves as his helper as a totem.
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