A Comparative Discourse of Mourning Rites in Shahnama and Its Historical and Religious Remains in Ancient Iran

Study and inspection of existing mourning rites in Shahnama and comparison with mourning rites held in some parts of Iran from ancient times till now shows that there are similarities between stories of Shahnama and the historical realities of mourning rites. In this article, the authors talk about some things that happen in death conditions in these two atmospheres and show eight historical reasons to prove their existence in ancient Persia and then find their contrast with serious religious rules and to find the answers for these contrasts. Three probable replies are presented: The stories that contain the mentioned mourning rites spread from the north to the east of Iran. The effect of royal Khodaynamas on mourning events of Shahnama and to remind the role of Zoroastra in weakening most of the rites including extreme mourning in ancient Persia.