Archetypal Elements in Mahan Story in Nizami's Haft Peykar Based on Joseph Campbell's Monomyth Theory

This paper is an analysis of archetypal elements in Mahan story in Haft Paykar (“The Seven Beauties”) based on Joseph Campbell's Monomyth Theory. Greed is the reason why Mahan starts his journey and duly leaves heaven where he lived without being aware of its value. His journey starts from a palm grove, which is a sign of his spiritual ascension. Since he does not have insight yet, he sees the leaders on his journey as monsters thatmake him suffer during the night but when the night endsthey changeinto light as a manifestation of God’s face. Mahan meets Anima after passing the thousand step well (the whale’s belly) which brings himawareness, and after gaining awareness he meets his guide who is the Khidr. Their meeting is a rebirth for him and a return to heaven, and the reward and bless he acquiresthrough his journey is an eternal life in heaven.