مجله مطالعات ایرانی
پیاپی 3 (بهار 1382)

The present article has been written to explain some of the superstitious beliefs as manifested by Ukrainians. The author- by discussing the above topic, intends to show that the spiritual culture of communities and nations, could have a deep root in their past, along with their material culture.Aspects of common folk culture including superstitious beliefs, as a means of nation's communications in distant past, which had brought them closer to each other, could strengthen this hypothesis.Superstitious beliefs, as part of folk culture, could have been transferred from one community to the other, as any other aspect of material and spiritual culture, through migration, borrowing etc.Familiarity with these issues, helps us to get acquainted with peculiarities, qualities, intellectual horizons, tastes and likings of the people of other communities.

The objective of this article is the ethymology of the word Kerman. The author wishes to provide the readers with the meaning of the name 'Kerman' through library research. The author expressing the meanings suggested by different scholars, investigates the specifications of the city. Then, he relates the myths and legends concerning the city of 'Kerman' so that fundamentals are laid for understanding the meaning and the way of naming the city.Taking into account the structure of the word, the author studies all derivatives made of the stem "KAR", the origin and the basis of the term 'Kerman'. The author ultimately suggests that 'Kerman' means "the Land of Weaving".

Relation of Iran and India goes back to ancient times. Valid evidences and documents show that Indians and Iranians, having the same origin and race, were living together at the beginning of Aryan era. The two nations have left significant influences on each other, during their bright and long history, among which one could mention Mauryan architecture and art, a copy of Achaemenid's era. The oldest traces of civilization discovered in the sub-continent belong to three millennia before the Christian era(BCE) representing the culture of the inhabitants of the land as well as the culture of the people of the Iranian plateau. The oldest paintings left from ancient times to us, are the wall paintings of the caves known as 'Ajanta' located 60 miles from Aurangabad of Deccan.In cave number one, there are two paintings of reception hall. The first painting depicts Polaccine II the king of Deccan, receiving ambassadors of Sassanian king; Khosrow Parviz (628 A.D.). The second painting shows the same Iranian envoys drinking. Clothes, Arms and bowls of the envoys are all Iranian. The article is devoted to the study of Ajanta Caves.

The article provides the reader with a background to understand the symbolism involved in the science of alchemy, an occult science of the ancient times. The present study is based on library research mode whereby relevant data is gathered on definitions, derivations, ethymology, history of alchemy, important alchemists and their works. The findings have then, been classified and presented based on descriptive method.Taking into account the wealth of information on alchemy, from one side and lack of genuine sources from the other, makes the present study just an approach to symbols of alchemy. Other important discussions such as cosmology of alchemists, spiritual and natural alchemy, alchemist's symbolic language, relation between medicine and astronomy and finally corresponding natural alchemy symbols with Gnostic alchemy, require an appropriate opportunity and an independent article.

The objective of this article is to briefly study Sassanian era historiography quantitatively and qualitatively. In expounding the discussion, endeavor has mainly been focused on introducing historical books and their contents on a brief basis as far as possible.The article goes on to discuss the notion of influence of Iranian historiography on Islamic historiography as related by scholars and their pro and con standings.The mode of study is based on library research and the method is that of investigating historical topics.

The present article investigates semantic transparency and dullness in the Persian language through library and documentary research. The author has sought to follow the discussion on three levels as follows; 1. Non-extended words. 2. Idioms. 3. Sentences. Having classified and analyzed the data, the author has presented a model for studying the degree of semantic transparency and dullness. Endeavor has been made to open up the overlap of 'letter' and 'semantics'.

"Tishtrya", an astral deity, is an Iranian myth whose similar specimens can be found among other nation's myths. Rise of this star, known to astronomers as the great dog-star, coincided with the start of rain season in Iran. Hence, it is known as rain deity and the source of water. The present article, prepared based on library mode of research, discusses the peculiarities of this Iranian myth and indicates its standing in regards with astronomy and its relation with other symbols."Tishtrya", or the great dog-star, has the Farsi equivalent "Tir". In ancient Iranian calendar, the month of "Tir" represented the start of autumn and rain-fall, which was connected to the relevant myths of "Tishtrya" or "Tir". In Semitic rites "Tishtrya" is considered same as the angel of sustenance and prosperity, Michael who has relations with Tir or the planet Mercury, the deity of penmanship, heavenly messages, wisdom and foretelling.

The present article investigates the peculiarities of the Persian ethics according to Pahlavi texts.As findings show, Persian ethics are not only limited to a series of advices and sayings, but also include social, political and family practices. There are mutual and reciprocal relations between each of these peculiar ethics, and as a result it ends up with a system and structure, wherein following any of the ethical practices, brings along other ethical attributes. The system actually provides the individual with prosperity, both in this world and the next. Study mode is based on library research and the data obtained are classified according to descriptive method.

In the present article endeavor has been made to prove Iranian's scientific and cultural ability and their abundant influence on the relevant culture and literature during early years of Prophet's (S) migration, through valid evidences sought in Arabic references. Incredible cases of Iranian's intellectual and cultural dominance have been expressed as well.The analysis of the documented cases has made it clear that Iranians have gradually manifested their dominance over Arabs, during the early centuries after Prophet's (S) migration (i.e. first two centuries.)The present article seeks to demonstrate vivid specimens of this cultural dominance.

The author has first expressed the differences that have existed between the era of mythology and the era of rationality and logic. The author has then tried to prove the fact that myths used during the childish state of nations, are being utilized, with some modifications, in contemporary era, since their application is a necessary factor for cotemporary thinking, particularly poetical imagination. In order to get to the objective of the article, the author has followed the use of ancient national and religious myths in the epic poetry of the imposed war. The author has shown how the myths continue to live while taking changes in their form, structure and meaning.