Conferment of meaning to Mount Damāvand between Indo-Iranian Myths and Zoroastrian Pilgrimages

Main author: Errichiello, Mariano
Format: Journal Article           
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Summary: Mount Damavand, located north of Tehran in the high Haraz valley of Mazandaran, is part of the Central Alborz mountain range. With its 5,670m height, this volcanic mountain represents the highest peak in Iran and is one of the natural wonders of this country. 1 Besides being one of Iran's most distinctive features and being nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site its prominent position in the Iranian skyline has earned Mount Damavand a special place in the Zoroastrian mythology and Iranian literature. This article examines how the related myths and narratives have conferred meaning to Mount Damavand, making it a resource with semiotic functions which travelled both East and West, influencing people and cultures across the ages.