Content Analysis of Iranian Identity in the Story of Siavash within Ferdowsi’s Shahname

Identity takes form in the moment that one asks oneself the question "Who am I?" Thus, identity can be construed as a matter of "meaning". In fact, by asking about "identity", people seek to understand the meaning of their own "self", the sort of meaning that takes form on the basis of correspondence with similar people and clash with dissimilar ones. "National myths and epics" constitute one of the prominent elements of identity and distinction of the communities. Ferdowsi’ Shahnameh is as the national emblem of Iranian society that contains stories about myths, epics and history of Iranian society which is in turn a narrative of the past, transmitting the bulk of identity elements of Iranian society to date. Iranian identity moans emotional attachment and commitment to the cultural and political heritage and common ethnicity of Iran. This article sets out to seek the meaning of Iranian identity by applying the method of content analysis to the story of Siavash in the Shahnameh. The result revealed that firstly, Iranian identity had gained recognition in contrast to Anyrani (non-Iranian) identity, and secondly, the political legacy, particularly the ideal king, is among the prominent elements of Iranian identity in this story. The essence of the concept of the ideal king encompasses a king enjoying splendor, charisma, wisdom and justice that has been crystallized in Siavash, the prince of Persian. In this story, other cultural elements and common genealogy constitute other subsequent layers of Iranian identity.