Journal of Heroic Literature

Journal of Heroic Literature

The Mandala of Kay Khosrow in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh Based on the Jungian Archetype of the Self

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Shirin Ghaderi 1
Khalil Beigzadeh 2
1 Assistant Professor of Persian Language and Literature, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Central Branch, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
10.22034/heroic.2026.3.5.08
Abstract
Ferdowsi's Shahnameh is one of the most valuable, influential, and prominent masterpieces of Persian literature, with its mythological ideas deeply rooted in the collective unconscious of humanity. Interpreting ancient literary texts, especially myths, from the perspective of modern theoretical frameworks is a fundamental aspect of contemporary literary studies and a cornerstone of psychological criticism. This concept was first introduced by Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1962). The present research aims to offer a new perspective on these texts by establishing a connection between psychology, epic literature, and literary criticism, in order to better elucidate the hidden layers and the literary and mythological values of these texts. Examining the characteristics of prominent heroes, who are approved by their society, provides deep insight into the core values of that culture. This study employs a descriptive-analytical method to examine the life and personality of Kay Khosrow, the ideal king in the Shahnameh, through the lens of archetypes, and seeks to answer the following questions: Can it be said that Kay Khosrow in the Shahnameh, according to Jung's theories, has attained the Self and the Mandala? What stages did he pass through to reach the Mandala and the Self? How can we prove, based on Jung's theories, Kay Khosrow's attainment of the Mandala and the Self? After explaining the stages of this prominent mythological figure's life, it was concluded that Kay Khosrow was able to overcome his personal unconscious and attain the Mandala and the Self. The cycle from birth to the symbolic death of Kay Khosrow is a manifestation of the concentric circles of the Mandala, through which he passed the stages of evolution and transcendence.
Keywords
Ferdowsi's Shahnameh
Kay Khosrow
Archetype
Self
Mandala
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Journal of Heroic Literature
Volume 3, Issue 5 - Serial Number 5
Autumn & Winter
March 2026
Pages 159-180