Zhaleh Amouzegar: Shams Tabrizi is a historical figure, not a mythical one

Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) Literature Service – Marzieh Negahban Marvi: Zhaleh Amouzegar Yeganeh attended the unveiling ceremony of the book “Astan Shams Tabrizi”, published through the efforts of Mirhossein Hasanzadeh with an introduction by Mohammad Ali Movahed, as one of the renowned figures from Khoy.

On the sidelines of this ceremony, Zhaleh Amouzegar, an Iranian mythologist from Khoy, stated in an exclusive interview with IBNA that, emphasizing the historical nature of Shams Tabrizi, he should not be classified among Iranian myths. Amouzegar, referring to the common uses of the word “myth” in the public sphere, said that this interpretation regarding Shams Tabrizi has more symbolic aspect and deviates from the precise mythological meaning.

She explained that Shams Tabrizi is a real and well-known figure in history, and attributing the title “myth” to him should not lead to confusion between historical figures and mythical personalities. According to Amouzegar, what causes some to see Shams in a mythical light today are contemporary cultural and mental perceptions, not characteristics related to ancient Iranian myths.

Amouzegar emphasized that Shams Tabrizi, despite his prominent spiritual and cultural standing, does not fall within the scientific definition of a myth, and a mythical view of him is mostly a result of his symbolic position in popular culture.

According to this researcher, attention to the accuracy of concepts and the distinction between myth and history is essential for a correct understanding of figures like Shams. She stressed that Shams is considered a cultural and spiritual symbol for Iranians, but this symbolization should not alter or distort his historical position.