تقابل‌های بنیادی در حماسه‌های آفرینش ایران و بین‌النهرین باستان

The aim of this article is to explore the theme of conflicts in the creation myths of ancient Iran and Mesopotamia, based on a collective study of key symbols in creation myths. The research method relies on written sources and libraries, specifically utilizing mythological and archaeological texts. Creation myths encompass various narratives, and our criterion in selecting these myths as creation myths pertains to their discussion of creation. The research also examines conflicts explicitly, such as strife and contention, as well as implicitly, like debate and dialogue, within the myths.



The findings of this research reveal a chain of conflicts within creation myths, determining the semantic structure of these myths. Conflicts such as plant-tree, sheep-cow, the number three - the number seven, lapis lazuli-gold are among these conflicts. These conflicts are shaped based on the fundamental primordial contrast of darkness-light, dividing the world and cosmos into two main realms, ultimately assigning existence and the cosmos to one of these two cognitive cosmological realms of darkness-light. The structural conflict in creation myths serves as a foundation that organizes multiple narratives, divergent viewpoints, and various symbols around a common and distinct meaning. Contradictory pairs imply a thematic content beyond the expression of conflicting phenomena, indicating the existence of the law of interaction and duality, a guiding principle of the vitality of the cosmic order.



From this perspective, creation narratives simultaneously define the nature and symbolic position and cognitive essence of phenomena. These myths are not merely vague and symbolic expressions of origin but also discuss the relationships between creation phenomena, existential matters, and the governing laws. This underscores the significant role of these types of myths in mythological and religious studies. These findings address a critical group of ambiguities in the study of myths, such as the symbolic meaning of the tree or the plant of life in creation myths and the discussion of origin in different religions, to a considerable extent



The findings of this research reveal a chain of conflicts within creation myths, determining the semantic structure of these myths. Conflicts such as plant-tree, sheep-cow, the number three - the number seven, lapis lazuli-gold are among these conflicts. These conflicts are shaped based on the fundamental primordial contrast of darkness-light, dividing the world and cosmos into two main realms, ultimately assigning existence and the cosmos to one of these two cognitive cosmological realms of darkness-light. The structural conflict in creation myths serves as a foundation that organizes multiple narratives, divergent viewpoints, and various symbols around a common and distinct meaning. Contradictory pairs imply a thematic content beyond the expression of conflicting phenomena, indicating the existence of the law of interaction and duality, a guiding principle of the vitality of the cosmic order.



From this perspective, creation narratives simultaneously define the nature and symbolic position and cognitive essence of phenomena. These myths are not merely vague and symbolic expressions of origin but also discuss the relationships between creation phenomena, existential matters, and the governing laws. This underscores the significant role of these types of myths in mythological and religious studies. These findings address a critical group of ambiguities in the study of myths, such as the symbolic meaning of the tree or the plant of life in creation myths and the discussion of origin in different religions, to a considerable extent