Abstract:
The position of numerical symbolism in ancient Iranian culture is so deep that it seems to have a close connection with most symbolic perspectives. In ancient Iran, especially after Zoroaster, numbers have played a significant role in the myths and traditions of society. In reporting the story of the reign of Anushirvan, particularly in the seven feasts of Bozorgmehr and the events associated with the presence of this wise counselor, such as the first and middle parts of the Shahnameh, Ferdowsi has used symbolic numbers with the same multi-millennial semantic weight while describing wisdom and justice, the way of life, and the rituals of governance and people-management. In this research, based on library studies and using a descriptive-analytical method, we have attempted to analyze the role of ritual numbers in the development of the story of Anushirvan's reign, which encompasses about 4500 verses of the Shahnameh, based on the cultural tradition inherent in them; and by contemplating the depth of some of the political and cultural behaviors of the personalities in this section of the Shahnameh, we aim to clarify aspects of the meaningful connection between their actions and the use of symbolic numbers.
Machine summary:
In reporting the story of the reign of Anushirvan, particularly in the seven feasts of Bozorgmehr and the events associated with the presence of this wise counselor, such as the first and middle sections of the Shahnameh, Ferdowsi has employed symbolic numbers with the same multi-millennial semantic weight while describing wisdom and justice, the way of life, and the rituals of statecraft and people-oriented governance.
Ferdowsi, in reporting the story of the reign of Anushirvan, which is the epic of culture and civilization—similar to the first parts and middle chapters of the Shahnameh—while narrating the seven banquets of Bahram Gur, the story of introducing chess and sending backgammon to India, explaining the educational literature of the Sassanid era, describing the national and military reforms of Anushirvan, his meetings with orators and philosophers, and the sending of gifts and tributes from the enemies of Iran, has used symbolic numbers with the same multi-thousand-year semantic weight within his unique language amidst the reports and descriptions, as has been shaped over long years in the tradition of oral narrations of the people, Mobeds, Gousans, and storytellers.
One noteworthy subject is the frequent use of ritual numbers throughout the stories, correspondences, the reforms of Anushirvan, consultative sessions, and especially in the seven banquets of Boozarjmher, such that by reflecting on the deep structure of some of the political and cultural characters of this part of the Shahnameh, it can be said that a meaningful connection exists between these behaviors and the application of symbolic numbers.
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