Kaveh
Encyclopedia
Kāveh the Blacksmith, (Persian
: کاوه آهنگر Kaveh Ahangar) also known as The Blacksmith of Isfahan or Kaveh of Isfahan is a mythical figure in Persian mythology
who leads a popular uprising against a ruthless foreign ruler, Zahhāk
. His story is narrated in the Epic of Shāhnāma
, the national epic of Iran
by the 10th century Persian poet Ferdowsi Tousi
. Based on Avesta
n tradition, Zahhāk, or more correctly Azhi Dahāka
, is from Babylonia
and more or less a demon, not human. Ferdowsi
masterfully recasts this mythical character as an evil and tyrannical king.
Kaveh was according to ancient legends a blacksmith from Isfahan, Central Iran
http://www.iran-daily.com/1389/12/24/MainPaper/3918/Page/6/MainPaper_3918_6.pdf who launched a national uprising against the evil foreign tyrant Zahak, expelled the foreigners and restored the pure race of the Iranian Fereydun and achieved independence for Iran
. Many followed Kaveh to the Alborz Mountains in Damavand
where Fereydoun was living. He was now a young man and agreed to lead the people against Zahhak. Zahhak had already left his capital, which fell to Fereydoun with small resistance. Fereydoun freed all of Zahhak’s prisoners.
Kaveh is the most famous of Persian mythological characters in resistance against despotic foreign rule in Iran
. After losing 2 of his sons to Zahhāk's serpents, he rebels against the foreign ruler of Persia and leads the people to overthrow the tyrant king. As a symbol of resistance and unity, he raises his leather apron on a spear, known as the Derafsh Kaviani
. This flag is later decorated with precious jewels and becomes the symbol of Persian independence, resistance and resilience, as well as the revolutionary symbol of the masses in their fight against foreign invaders.
In 1920, the name of Kaveh was written in the canton of the flag of the Persian Socialist Soviet Republic
(widely known as the Soviet Republic of Gilan).
The tomb of Kaveh is believed to be situated on a hill near a village named Mashhad-e Kaveh in Isfahan province.
Jashn-e mehregan
is the celeberation for the Fereydun
's victory over Zahhāk; it is also the time when autumn rains begin to fall.
The dynasty Karen-Pahlav
(also known as the House of Karen
) claimed to be Kaveh's descendants.
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
: کاوه آهنگر Kaveh Ahangar) also known as The Blacksmith of Isfahan or Kaveh of Isfahan is a mythical figure in Persian mythology
Persian mythology
Persian mythology are traditional tales and stories of ancient origin, some involving extraordinary or supernatural beings. Drawn from the legendary past of the Iranian cultural continent which especially consists of the state of Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Central Asia, they reflect the...
who leads a popular uprising against a ruthless foreign ruler, Zahhāk
Zahhak
Zahhāk or Zohhāk is an evil figure in Iranian mythology, evident in ancient Iranian folklore as Aži Dahāka, the name by which he also appears in the texts of the Avesta...
. His story is narrated in the Epic of Shāhnāma
Shahnameh
The Shahnameh or Shah-nama is a long epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi between c.977 and 1010 AD and is the national epic of Iran and related societies...
, the national epic of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
by the 10th century Persian poet Ferdowsi Tousi
Ferdowsi
Ferdowsi was a highly revered Persian poet. He was the author of the Shahnameh, the national epic of Iran and related societies.The Shahnameh was originally composed by Ferdowsi for the princes of the Samanid dynasty, who were responsible for a revival of Persian cultural traditions after the...
. Based on Avesta
Avesta
The Avesta is the primary collection of sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, composed in the Avestan language.-Early transmission:The texts of the Avesta — which are all in the Avestan language — were composed over the course of several hundred years. The most important portion, the Gathas,...
n tradition, Zahhāk, or more correctly Azhi Dahāka
Zahhak
Zahhāk or Zohhāk is an evil figure in Iranian mythology, evident in ancient Iranian folklore as Aži Dahāka, the name by which he also appears in the texts of the Avesta...
, is from Babylonia
Babylonia
Babylonia was an ancient cultural region in central-southern Mesopotamia , with Babylon as its capital. Babylonia emerged as a major power when Hammurabi Babylonia was an ancient cultural region in central-southern Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq), with Babylon as its capital. Babylonia emerged as...
and more or less a demon, not human. Ferdowsi
Ferdowsi
Ferdowsi was a highly revered Persian poet. He was the author of the Shahnameh, the national epic of Iran and related societies.The Shahnameh was originally composed by Ferdowsi for the princes of the Samanid dynasty, who were responsible for a revival of Persian cultural traditions after the...
masterfully recasts this mythical character as an evil and tyrannical king.
Kaveh was according to ancient legends a blacksmith from Isfahan, Central Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
http://www.iran-daily.com/1389/12/24/MainPaper/3918/Page/6/MainPaper_3918_6.pdf who launched a national uprising against the evil foreign tyrant Zahak, expelled the foreigners and restored the pure race of the Iranian Fereydun and achieved independence for Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. Many followed Kaveh to the Alborz Mountains in Damavand
Damavand
Damavand is a city in and the capital of Damavand County, Tehran Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 36,433, in 10,279 families....
where Fereydoun was living. He was now a young man and agreed to lead the people against Zahhak. Zahhak had already left his capital, which fell to Fereydoun with small resistance. Fereydoun freed all of Zahhak’s prisoners.
Kaveh is the most famous of Persian mythological characters in resistance against despotic foreign rule in Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. After losing 2 of his sons to Zahhāk's serpents, he rebels against the foreign ruler of Persia and leads the people to overthrow the tyrant king. As a symbol of resistance and unity, he raises his leather apron on a spear, known as the Derafsh Kaviani
Derafsh Kaviani
The Derafsh Kaviani , was the legendary royal standard of the Sassanid kings. The banner was also sometimes called the "standard of Jamshid" , the "standard of Fereydun" , and the "royal standard" .-Name:The name Drafš e Kāvīān The Derafsh Kaviani (Middle Persian: Drafš e Kāvīān), was the...
. This flag is later decorated with precious jewels and becomes the symbol of Persian independence, resistance and resilience, as well as the revolutionary symbol of the masses in their fight against foreign invaders.
In 1920, the name of Kaveh was written in the canton of the flag of the Persian Socialist Soviet Republic
Persian Socialist Soviet Republic
The Persian Socialist Soviet Republic was a short-lived Soviet republic in the Iranian province of Gilan that lasted from June 1920 until September 1921...
(widely known as the Soviet Republic of Gilan).
The tomb of Kaveh is believed to be situated on a hill near a village named Mashhad-e Kaveh in Isfahan province.
Jashn-e mehregan
Mehregan
Mehrgân or Jashn-e Mehregân is a Zoroastrian and Persian festival celebrated since the pre-Islamic era to honor the Yazata of "Mehr" , which is responsible for friendship, affection and love. It is also widely referred to as Persian Festival of Autumn...
is the celeberation for the Fereydun
Fereydun
Fereydūn also pronounced Farīdūn or Afrīdūn , also called Apam Napat, "Son of the Waters", is the name of an Iranian mythical king and hero who is an emblem of victory, justice and generosity in the Persian literature.-Etymology:All of the forms of...
's victory over Zahhāk; it is also the time when autumn rains begin to fall.
The dynasty Karen-Pahlav
House of Karen
The House of Karen were an aristocratic feudal family of Hyrcania...
(also known as the House of Karen
House of Karen
The House of Karen were an aristocratic feudal family of Hyrcania...
) claimed to be Kaveh's descendants.
External links
- First Iranian Legendary Heroes and Heroines: A Research Note by Manouchehr Saadat Noury
- Kaveh Ahangar (KavehMohebbi)