Study of Symbolism in Ardaviraf Nameh and Sana ei's Seir-al-Ebad Elal-Ma ad

Death and afterworld are among those vexing questions for humankind. In both eastern and western literature there are many works attempting to describe afterworld and resurrection as a journey to the other world. Sanaei’s Seir-al-Ebad Elal-Ma’ad and Ardaviraf Nameh are two examples of such journeys. Based on the Gnostic experiences of resurrection, the two texts depict exciting and marvelous images of afterlife. The present paper attempts to compare the two texts regarding the most prominent common themes in Gnostic experiences. It tries to verify the hypothesis based on which such out-of-the-way descriptions are symbolic representations of the meanings. Symbolic expressions not only describe or explain ineffable experiences, but also play an important role in rationality and reaffirming the faith and beliefs about resurrection. To this end, Sanaei and Viraf use symbolic images such as going beyond the time, seven-day sleeps, constellations and stars, wild animals, and handmaidens to portray concepts like immortality, paradise, inferno, and inherent meaning of deeds.