Symbolic Analysis in Fakhri Heravi's "Haft Keshvar" Based on Astronomical and Mythological Perspectives

Symbols reflect natural phenomena, particularly celestial bodies that are embedded in myths and popular culture and are abundantly employed in Persian literature. Fakhri Heravi was a Shiat pot of the court of Iran and India in the 10th century AH, who compiled Haft Keshvar in the reign of the Safavid Shah Esmail I in three years. Haft Keshvar is a travel book of 388 pages (edited by Afshar and Afshari) written in prose and ornamented occasionally by verses. It embeds references to narrative stories, myths, and history including Tarikh Tabari, Tarikh fakhr Baenakati, Javame AlHekayat va Lavame AlRevayat, Seraj Algholoob, Shhnameh and Boostan. Haft Keshvar is a meta-narrative work of fiction that incorporates a range of symbols related to celestial bodies. It depicts journeys of Ibn Torab who visits seven different countries and their kings whose ideas are determined by astronomy and myths. The present study explores intertextual clues to dig into symbolic representations of constellations and seven planets of the solar system.

A work of literary importance is uncovered by a thorough analysis of its sublayers. Thus, the present study uses a documentary, library, and note-taking method to collect data. It also uses descriptive-analytic method to examine narrative style of the work in terms of structure, narrative elements, and key features storytelling in Haft Keshvar. Persian writers have extensively used symbols to convey ideas and establish their belief systems. For instance, Fakhri Heravi wrote Haft Keshvar as a symbolic and allegorical work. Accordingly, this study examines the relationship between symbols and astrology in this work.

Haft Keshvar is a journey to seven countries that symbolically represents ideas on astrology based on constellations of the zodiac and seven planets of the solar system. It proves to be a deeply symbolic literary work with different layers of meaning. The present study focuses on symbols that relate to astrology and how they are interwoven into the text. It evolves around the idea of the evolution of life on earth.Ibn Torab accompanies Aghi-aldin in the journey and arrives in the first country ruled by Keyvanbakht who abides in a magnificent palace called JeddiAbad topped by a big poll called DaloAbabd. The king’s name stands for the plane Saturn. The pool in this work represents water in ancient mythology and local folklore. Ibn Torab and Aghi-aldin move to the second country and stay there for 30 days. The king is Malek Girgis and abides in NahangAbad ia big palace called Qosiyeh. The king symbolizes Jupiter, the city symbolizes Pisces and the palace stands for Sagittarius.Upon their arrival in the second country, a messenger in red garments from the third country welcomes them. His name id Shahab and serves his king Bahram who lives in a palace called Aqrabiyeh in HamAbad. The king and his living place in the third country symbolize Mars.Before they arrive in the fourth country, a messenger receives them. His name is Najm the Agile whose lord is Sultan Beyza. The King lives in his palace, AsadAbad, at a meadow called Sepehr. The palace is built in the form of a lion. The lodging of the king and reminds the reader of the Leo Constellation and the King’s name stands for the Sun, which respectively imply resurrection, eternity, life, warmth, light and authority.In the fifth country, Dorry the Night Walker welcomes Ibn Torab and Aghi-aldin. The ruler of this territory is Zohreh Banu who abides in her cow-shaped palace, Soriyeh, at the top of a mountain. Zohreh Banu stands for Venus and her land represents Taurus constellations.The king of the sixth country is SahmKhuy whose messenger, FalakPeyma, meets the travelers in the story. The king lives in his palace, Joza, in ParvinAbad, all reparenting Mercury.In the last country, the messenger is a man named GardoonSeyr who is in the service of his lord, Malek Qamaraddin who lives in his palace, Saratan, near the Nile. The king is the symbol f the moon and his palace is the symbol of Cancer constellation.

Haft keshvar was written by Fakhri Heravi in10th century AHand that is replete with mysticism, mythical, geographical and astrological ideas. The study shows that the journeys to seven countries are in correspondence to the seven celestial bodies and planets. The level of symbolism is more tangible when we realize that the twelve constellations in the sky are in seven planets. For instance, Asad is the sun and Saratan is the moon. The other planets have two houses that are represented in the story of Haft Keshvar. This implies the mastery of the writer over astrology and his gifted naming procedure. In representing the seven planets and countries, the writer emphasizes on some lofty notions such as justice, freedom, generosity, respectfulness, authority and autonomy.