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Mahmood Rezaee Dasht Arzhane,Ph.D.
 
Abstract
Some of the well-known Iranian heroes have killed dragons; including Rostam for instance. The reason for this act is that within the wide scope of the Iranian myths, dragon is the symbol of drought; and actually killing dragons is meant to signify the triumph of plenitude over drought. Still, there is one case in Iran which paradoxes with the dragon being the symbol of drought; Rostam Dastan. In the Third Stage of the war, although Rostam succeeds in killing dragons, his banner is dragon-sized, and he boasts about killing dragons to his ancestor-Zahak (in other words Azhi Dahak Avesta)- yet this issue contrasts with his dragon-killing on one hand, and dragon being the symbol of drought in the Iranian mythology on the other hand. Throughout this survey the author of this article has come to finally believe that Rostam’s dragon-sized banner, added to the holiness of dragon in his perspective is most likely an influence of China’s myths which has penetrated into Iran. Therefore the dragon, which is actually Rostam’s totem, and he deeply cherishes, unlike the Iranian myths, is the symbol of rain, freshness and plenitude.
 
 

Keywords: Azhi Dahak, dragon in Shah-Nameh, the dragon-sized banner, myths, Ferdowsi’s Shah-Nameh

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