Muṭāli̒āt-i tārīkh-i farhangī(Cultural History Studies)

The Hero's Journey in the Myth of Jamshid: A Jungian Reading

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Hossein Badamchi 1
Narges Golizadeh 2

1 Associate Professor, Department of History, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Master's student in Ancient Iranian History, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22034/chs.2026.526488.1105
Abstract
This study explores the mythological figure of Jamshid through the lens of Carl Gustav Jung’s analytical psychology. Central to Jung’s theoretical framework is the concept of archetypes, which he situated within the collective unconscious—a realm of the psyche shared by all human beings. According to Jung, archetypes are primordial, universal patterns and images that manifest through dreams, myths, and cultural symbols, exerting a profound influence on individual and collective human behavior. Mythological narratives, in this view, serve as symbolic expressions of psychological development and transformation. The primary aim of this research is to investigate the presence and function of key Jungian archetypes—namely the Hero, the Shadow, the Persona, the Anima, and the Wise Old Man—in the character of Jamshid, one of the most prominent kings in Iranian mythology. By analyzing Jamshid’s story within the framework of the hero’s journey and the process of individuation, this study offers a psychological interpretation of his rise, crisis, and eventual downfall. Initially, Jamshid appears as a luminous, semi-divine king who, through the power of divine glory (Farrah Izadi), brings order, innovation, and civilization to the world. However, as the narrative progresses, his excessive identification with his Persona—his outward role as the flawless king—and his failure to confront the Shadow archetype lead to psychological imbalance, hubris, and ultimately, his tragic fall from grace. This paper examines various versions of the Jamshid myth found in Avestan texts, Pahlavi literature, Islamic sources, and Indian parallels, drawing connections between symbolic content and psychological meaning. The findings suggest that Jamshid's myth reflects a universal inner journey of the human psyche—from spiritual elevation and achievement to self-deception, inner fragmentation, and collapse. By employing a Jungian reading of the Iranian myth, this study aims to shed light on the dynamic relationship between cultural narratives and unconscious psychic structures. It reveals how archetypal patterns continue to shape the storytelling traditions of civilizations and offers deeper insight into the processes of self-awareness, ego inflation, and the struggle for psychological integration in mythic representations.

Keywords

Jamshid
Archetype
Analytical Psychology
Carl Gustav Jung
Hero's Journey
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Muṭāli̒āt-i tārīkh-i farhangī(Cultural History Studies)
Volume 18, Issue 67 - Serial Number 67
Winter 2026
Spring 2026
Pages 129-158

  • Receive Date 27 May 2025
  • Revise Date 14 June 2026
  • Accept Date 19 July 2026
  • Publish Date 22 May 2026

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