Symbols and Rites of Initiation in Nizami’s “Khosrow and Shirin”

Abstract
Initiation rites are rituals a person goes through to achieve inner growth and maturity, and while getting rid of his former self, he/she can step into the next stage of his life with a refined personality and a new sublime perspective. The story of Khosrow and Shirin, according to Nizami’s narrative, displays many symbols and rituals of initiation. This descriptive-analytical research aims to identify and explain the symbols and rituals of orientation in Nizami’s Khosrow and Shirin. Based on the findings of the research, all kinds of initiation and familiarization rituals, such as vows and prayers, naming, ritual nursing, education, travel, testing, austerity, seclusion, ritual washing, secret learning, and funeral and burial in three stages—break, transition and attachment—can be seen in the four stages of the life (birth, maturity, marriage/kingdom and death) of the two heroes of this story, Khosrow and Shirin.