Khosrow and Shirin: A Narrative Based on the Archetypal Motif of the Peri's Marriage with Heroes

Document Type : Research article

Author

Associate Professor in Persian Language and Literature, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Nezami Ganjavi's epic Khosrow and Shirin, despite its historical and lyrical structure, contains hidden layers of mythological elements. This article employs a descriptive-analytical method to examine the mythological substructure of the story of Khosrow and Shirin, proposing a hypothesis that this narrative derives from the ancient archetype of the marriage between the peri (fairy) and the hero. In this framework, Shirin is analyzed as a manifestation of the peri in mythology, with attributes such as supernatural beauty, enchantment, connection with water, shape-shifting, a desire for fertility through heroes, and possession of treasure and many servants being attributed to her. Similarly, symbols like Shirin’s connection with lions, horses, and remote palaces further emphasize her peri-like qualities. This mythological interpretation adds internal coherence to the elements of the story and offers a deeper understanding of the text. The present paper argues that the enduring appeal of the Khosrow and Shirin narrative lies not only in Nezami’s storytelling prowess but also in its unconscious connection to mythological structures embedded in Iranian culture. This research also addresses questions about how archetypal motifs continue to persist in classical Persian literature.

Highlights

The findings of this study indicate that Khosrow and Shirin possesses a mythological deep structure derived from the ancient motif of fairy–hero marriage, and that Shirin can be regarded as a literary continuation of fairies in Iranian and Indo-European mythologies. This mythological interpretation reveals the internal coherence of the narrative and renders many of its ambiguities comprehensible.

The study concludes that the lasting influence and significance of Khosrow and Shirin stem not only from Nezami’s narrative and linguistic mastery, but also from the work’s profound connection with the collective unconscious and the mythological structures embedded in Iranian culture. The article thus suggests that classical Persian literature may be viewed as a domain for the continuity and transformation of myths, where archetypes survive in renewed forms. From this perspective, mythological approaches can open new horizons for future research on Nezami’s works and other classical Persian texts.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Persian Language and Literature
Volume 79, Issue 253 - Serial Number 253
Spring–Summer 2026
July 2026
Pages 113-134

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History

  • Receive Date: 18 December 2025
  • Revise Date: 03 March 2026
  • Accept Date: 09 March 2026
  • Publish Date: 22 June 2026

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