Interaction and opposition with the other in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh from the perspective of cultural semiotics (from Kayumars to Feraydon)

This article investigates cultural interaction and opposition in mythological section of Shahnameh from the perspective of cultural semiotics.  At first concepts such as self and the other, attraction and repulsion, order and chaos, and cultural sphere which are considered as fundamental features of cultural semiotics are explained briefly, then relying on the text the aforementioned concepts are exemplified and analyzed.  This research is based on the descriptive analytical method employing cultural semiotics theories.  Results obtained show that according to Shahnameh text, Iranian culture due to various reasons is a receiving one and under different circumstances not only showed opposition but also interacted with the other.  The important feature of this culture is its considerable power of attraction and assimilation, however it has always welcomed stability and cyclic repetition based on the cultural sphere deeply imprinted on it all the more reason for being reluctant to fundamental change.