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Arash (Persian: آرش) is a heroic archer-figure of Iranian oral tradition and folklore.

Arash the archer should not be confused with the Shahnameh's Kai Arash (the Avesta's Kavi Arshan) the second son of Kei Qobád. Although several sources (e.g. al-Biruni) appear to have considered 'Arash' to be the origin of the name 'Arshak' (i.e. Arsaces), the name of the Parthian dynasty derives from a Parthian- or Eastern Iranian equivalent of 'Ardashir', i.e. 'Artaxerxes', specifically Artaxerxes II, who the Arsacids claimed to descend from. (Within the scheme of the mythologically-conflated genealogies of Iranian dynasts, the Arsacids also claimed to descend—via the other Arash—from Kai Kobad).

 

Statue of Arash in Sadabad Palace in Tehran

As is typical for names from oral tradition, there are numerous variations of 'Arash'. In the Avesta the name appears as 'Erekhsha' (Ǝrəxša) "of the swift arrow, having the swiftest arrow among the Iranians" (Yasht 8.6). This Avestan language form continues in Zoroastrian Middle Persian as 'Erash' (Bundahishn, Shahrastanha-i Eran, Zand-i Vahuman Yasht, Mah i Frawardin), from which the anglicized 'Eruch' derives. New Persian and Arabic forms include 'Erash' and 'Irash' in al-Tabari and ibn al-Atir; Aarashshebatir in al-Tabari; 'Arash' in al-Talebi; 'Aarash' in Maqdesi, Balami, Mojmal, Marasi, al-Biruni, and in the Vis o Ramin of Gorgani. Names with a stock epithet representing the Avestan "swift arrow" include al-Tabari's 'Aarashshebatir' and Mojmal's 'Arash-e Shewatir'. A surname form includes 'Arash/Aarash kaman-gir' "Arash, bow-expert."

The basic story of the bowman runs as follows: In a war between the Iranians and the non-Iranians (in post-Sassanid tradition frequently identified with the Turanians) over the "royal glory" khwarrah, the General Afrasiab has surrounded the forces of the righteous Manuchehr, and the two sides agree to make peace. Both reach an agreement that whatever land falls within the range of a bow-shot shall be returned to the Manuchehr and the Iranians, and the rest should then fall to Afraisab and the Aniranians. An angel (in al-Biruni it is 'Esfandaramad', i.e. the Amesha Spenta Ameretat, MP Spendarmad) instructs Manuchehr to construct a special bow and arrow, and Arash is asked to be the archer. Arash then fires the specially-prepared arrow at dawn, which then traveled a great distance (see below) before finally landing and so marking the future border between the Iranians and the Aniranians.Arash-e Kamangir and Mearic-e Ardashir are the best mitologic archers in freedom war.

In Talebi and Balami, Arash is destroyed by the shot and disappears. In al-Tabari, he is exalted by the people, is appointed commander of the archers and lives out his life in great honor. The distance the arrow travels varies: in one it is thousand leagues (farsakhs), in another forty days walk. In several, the arrow traveled from dawn to noon, in others from dawn until sunset. A few sources specify a particular date for the event. The Middle Persian Mah i Frawardin notes the 6th day of the 1st month (i.e. Khordad of Frawardin); later sources associate the event with the name-day festivities of Tiregan (13th of Tir) "presumably" provoked by the homonymity with the Yazata Tir or tir "arrow.

 

Thnx alot dear friends and dear visitors for your time and comments&critiques!

 

Regards(Bobby).

 

Great Bobby! Warm regards, Ilkka

Thnx alot to my dear friend,Ilkka!

 

Regards(Bobby).

Critique please...Regards(Bobby).

Beautiful composition and colors, I like it.

 

Best regards.

 

Alberto

Great p.o.v. Nicely shot! Regards, --George

Perfect caption for this interesting composition, Bobby. The scene, perspective and atmosphere are great. Good shot! Regards

 

PS.- Thanks for sharing the story, Bobby.

Hola bobby. Excelente, el punto de enfoque en la mano y la flecha le da fuerza a la composicion. Un cordial saludo, Joaquin.

Alberto...Thnx alot dear friend for your visit and comment!

 

George...I miss you so much dear friend...Where were you?...Welcome back and thnx!

 

David...Thnx so much for encourage me and your great support,dear friend...Wish you success!

 

Joaquin...Thnx alot dear friend!...Saludos!

 

Regards(Bobby).

an interesting and thorough scholarly discourse to this impacting image... my only nit is perhaps the arrowhead should have been fully included in the frame... but you have certainly managed to capture the tension and power...

Great idea and composition:...you are very clever, my friend!

Rajat...I miss you so much dear friend...You were not in PN for some days,but welcome back and thnx alot for your support and visit!

 

Maurizio...Thnx so much,dear friend for your comment and critique...You are clever and smart too!

 

Regards(Bobby).

Very nice shot, and also very nice you told us what it represents.

Nice work and story, Bobby!

Dear Birte and dear Ruud...Thnx alot dear guys for your time and critiques!

 

Actually,I thought if I wrote some description about it and I`m glad that you like them.

 

Regards(Bobby).

BR,

Mário

Thnx dear Mario...I`m glad that you like the shot!

 

Regards(Bobby).

good work...congrats

Thnx alot dear Mehmet...Regards(Bobby).

Interesting anecdote and composition, Bobby. I find you have experimented with DoF. Best wishes.

Thnx dear Jayanti...Actually,I like to learn,to experiment,use and try until I find good points...I learned many things about all my friends in PN and this is my honor...I wish success for you!

 

Regards(Bobby).

Bobby, superb composition displaying strength with his clinched fist. Interesting anecdote and DOF.

A great description and the presentation. Nice and beautiful. All the best. Rgds.

Perfect crop, it shows all the strenght/power and I think it is very interesting this cut-off of the arrow, it makes it even more powerfull

 

with love Els

Dear Amalda...I`m in joy and pleasure with your powerful words...Your comments are highly appreciated,always!

 

Dear Kaushik...I`m happy that you like the shot and you find it interesting...Thnx!

 

Dear Someone Else...I always write you Se!...Thnx alot for your time and critique,dear friend!

 

Regards(Bobby).