Examining the Mythological and Ritual Aspects in a Verse by Manochehri (The Bride Submerged in the Abyss of the China Sea)

Some of the verses penned by Persian poets allude to specific mythological rituals, which can only be fully understood by examining the fundamental aspects of these ceremonies. In this research, we aim to explore the historical origins of the rite mentioned in the second stanza of a verse by Manochehri, a renowned ode poet from the 5th century AH. The verse in question is: "The vibrant capercaillie concealed in the farmland, like the bride submerged in the abyss of the China Sea." To achieve this objective, the authors of this study have employed mythological theories and referenced various myths through a descriptive-analytical approach. The findings of our research indicate that, during a particular period in China, young girls were offered as sacrifices in rivers, adorned with decorative attire and makeup, for reasons such as bestowing life and averting floods.