The Manifestation of a Mountain in Ancient Persia with a Glance at its reflection in Persian Literature

In this essay, it was tried to analyze Mountain in Persian ancient culture in a descriptive and content analyzing manner. It was also attempted to explain and analyze Iranian's mythical and legendary beliefs about mountain as well as considering the works of famous people who stated their beliefs and values by using this unique manifestation of life.A mountain according to ancient Iranian's point of view had special importance and credit so it was used as a place to do most of customs and ceremonies. Mountain for them was a source of light as well as a place for Gods and messengers. On the other hand, because of its elevation, some people considered it as an intermediary between people and Gods. The basic legendary use of mountains was that it was a place for human to approach God or Gods. Therefore, the attraction between human and God, as could be seen in legends, was for obtaining and controlling this important situation.Legendary mountains had important roles in leading people. Some of these mountains could speak and guided greedy people to the right path by blaming them. Others were shrines and places of worship for worshipers of God. According to religious beliefs eternal paradise was upon mountains and this legendary and religious belief manifested itself into the form of burying dead people upon the mountain. Life in the mountain showed separation from worldly concerns and connection to the concerns of another world, which showed human respect toward the unique creator.The poets have used this unique manifestation to state their thoughts and have described it according to the extent of their thoughts and cultural learning. They usually mention sky-high mountains that all are unavailable and high in their works. Thus, their descriptions reminisce about legendary mountains such as: the Elburz, Ghaff, and Sabalan.These mountains were considered as places to approach Gods and a place for good-doers, heroes and the saint who were very powerful but for obtaining immortality and glory of God, they sought help from God at mountain's peaks and by sacrificing and holding religious ceremonies, they have tried to approach God.