Water as a Primordial Archetype of Transition and Rebirth in Pre-Islamic Myths

Abstract

Water, as one of the fundamental elements of existence, plays a central role in the mythological systems of various nations in explaining creation, fertility, the continuity of life, and cosmic order. Myths, through a symbolic language, reflect the connection between humans and the world in relation to this vital element. In pre-Islamic Iranian myths, water is not merely a natural element but a sacred concept and primordial archetype, manifested through deities and yazatas such as Ardvi Sūrā Anāhīta, Khordad, and Amardad, as well as in the actions and trials of heroes such as Jamshid, Fereydun, Garsasp, and Kīkhsrū. This article, relying on a mythological criticism and archetypal approach using a descriptive-analytical method, examines the functions and symbolic implications of the water archetype in ancient Iranian texts, particularly the Avesta and related mythological narratives. In this study, various manifestations of water in the process of cosmic creation, purification rituals, rain invocation, the hero’s ritual passage through water and his rebirth and renewal, eternity and immortality, as well as water’s role in maintaining and restoring cosmic order are analyzed. The research findings indicate that the water archetype in ancient Iranian myths possesses a multi-layered function and structure, and beyond its vital role in the continuity of material life, it acts as a mediator between the divine and terrestrial realms. This archetype has established a foundational position in shaping the pre-Islamic Iranians’ intellectual and mythological system through the consolidation of concepts such as purity, fertility, legitimacy of power, and victory over chaotic forces.