The Recovery of Features of Siyavash Rituals

There are several princes in Shahname who have been murdered innocently and their murder is avenged by their son or grandsons. However, among them Siyavash is the only hero whose life and death has been so impressive that annual rituals are held for his death. These rituals originally formed in Transoxiana. Afterwards, they became prevalent in Persian Empire in ancient time. The rituals had an astonishing effect on the Iranian classical plays. The present study has traced features of Siyavash rituals in ancient texts and images. According to the findings of the study the rituals were in the form of annual communal lamentation, procession, singing for Siyavash death, offering sacrifice and holding celebration related to Siyavash rebirth. The rituals implied the cycle of life-death-rebirth of Siyavash in the same way as a vegetation deity. These similarities lead to the recognition of a vegetation god at the very core of the whole rituals. So that is reasonable to take Siyavash for granted as a vegetation god who transformed into an epic hero. Some features of these rituals are still common in parts of Iran.