A Mytho-Psychological Analysis of the Colors, and Inscriptions of Banners in The Shahnameh

This article aims at examining the subject of colors in The Shahnameh, enumerating the reasons for the choice of colors used in the pivotal and important banners of this great poem. Violet, red and yellow have the highest frequency in The Shahnameh because the sage poet’s selection of the used colors in the banners has not been random. In other words, pondering over these colors which are pregnant with meanings and beliefs could guide us to know their belief in Ahura Mazda, Mitra, Anahita and other ancient elements and Zoroastrianism. On the other hand, the heroes’ personalities match the colors of their banners. The present paper examines and discusses the color and the inscription of Rostam and Bijan’s banners. This survey not only shows personality dimensions of the heroes psychologically, but also from mythological perspective expresses the relation between that friend and lord Bahram that is representative of power and adoration. Meanwhile, it has been proven that after ages how the collective unconscious of a nation moves and travels to reflect their beliefs in the coming periods through the clear mirror of poetry and literature and to see its lucid reflection in various languages like the repeated story of love. Colors and the psychology of the banners’ colors are expressive of Totem, the unconscious and personal characteristics of a hero in The Shahnameh. This article has employed the method of description and analysis, using the new theories of psychology of colors in The Shahnameh.