The Analysis of Mythical Motifs in the Tale Tree of Life

A detail study of the tales can provide a rich understanding of beliefs, thoughts, way of living, totems, myths, and the old patterns of a nation. A good example of such tales which has never been recorded in any written source is the tale Tree of Life common in Kohmare Sorkhi area of Fars province in Iran. This tale is, somehow, intermingled with mythical motifs; therefore, it is difficult to determine the accurate boundary between tale and myth. The aim of the study, however, is to investigate these motifs in this tale. To accomplish this, this tale was registered and recorded out of different narrators borrowing a field method study as the research method; secondly, the mythical motifs were addressed with an analytical-descriptive method. The findings of the study showed that several main motifs formed the fundamental pivots of the tale: 1) the hero of the tale saves the sources of birth- cow, girl, and rain-producing clouds- from the evil forces, and restores happiness and safety, 2) the hero and his companions overcome the six adventures to return home, 3) the hero of the tale moves towards the tree of life- pomegranate tree- which is at the center of the world and plucks the fruit after imprisoning the guard of the tree, 4) the pomegranate and fig trees are posed as fertility symbols in the tale. The myth of fertility and the attempt of the hero to reach the fertility fruits is one of the main pivots of the story, and 5) the oracle appears in the role of the guide and leader of the hero.