Analysis of the mythical figures in Hasanlu golden bowl (Iron Age) painting based on Gilbert Durand’s night and day system approach

Problem definition:

 Hasanlu golden bowl painting is one of the original surviving arts of Hasanlu district, which reflects the attitudes and beliefs of human societies (Iron Age). In this work, the artist has portrayed Ahurian (good) against Ahrimanian (evil) concepts, and has created an image that has a positive or negative rating from this point of view. Looking at Hasanlu golden bowl painting from this perspective, is rooted in Gilbert Durand’s mythological approach. He believes that mental images are divided into two systems, night and day. According to these systems, it is attempted here to answer the question that what is the dominant mythological approach in Hasanlu bowl.

The purpose of this study is to identify the mythological concepts of Iranian artistic elements with new perspectives.

The present research has been conducted in a descriptive-analytical manner. The research data has been reviewed and analyzed using case method. The required information has been also collected in a library manner.

The artist has illustrated the image of Hasanlu bowl using its imaginative forms and metaphysical power and with the help of mythology, positive individual themes and his society and at the same time, has depicted the negative themes. In contrast to the day system (sublime, light and separator), he has used the night one (falling, dark and animal features). Finally, the day system has been found to have a higher frequency compared to the day one in the images of Hasanlu golden bowl.