Cheshme Ali in Damghan and reasons for its sacredness

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Abstract

Due to the role of natural elements in human life, attention to these elements was common in many ancient cultures, including Iran. This consideration was so important that some cultures believed in the sacredness of these natural elements and held ceremonies for them. Water is one of these natural elements. Formation of cities and development of human civilization relies on it and wherever remained urban civilization from ancient times is encountered, footprint of spring and rivers can be found around them. This natural element is doubly important in the geographical area of Iran considering region’s warm and dry climate. These factors alongside the longtime water shortage problem in Iran are the underlying reason for many Iranians beliefs being about protecting water and preventing its contamination. Thus, in many parts of Iran, especially in the central plateau, sacred waters can be found. These waters include sacred springs, lakes and canals. Also waters with their origins and existence linked to holy people such as Prophets and Imams are considered as sacred waters. Cheshme Ali in Damghan, as the origin of the only permanent river of the city, is an instance of these sacred places that dates back to the pre-Islamic era. This place is sacred for inhabitants and people consider the root of the 1000 year old nearby tree as holy and sacred. According to evidence and documents in historical books, excavations and observations of the author, the reason for the sacredness of this place is the sacred water originating from the mountain. Perhaps this place was a Mitra temple for worshiping Mitra and Nahid along with water: triad of water, tree, and mountain.
 

Keywords


Adl, Sh. (1999). Description of historical geography of Damghan. Translated to Persian by Karimi, A. Journal of 2nd Iranian historical architecture and urbanism congress, Vol. 4. Tehran: Sazman Miras Farhangi.
Afsharfar, N. (1991). Archeology and thousandth years history of Damghan. Tehran: Parineh Publication.
Bahar, M. (1998). From legend to history. 2nd edition. Tehran: Cheshmeh.
Bahar, M. (1997). Research about Iranian legends, 2nd edition. Tehran: Agah.
Bahar, M. (1997). Researches about Iranian culture, 3nd edition. Tehran: Fekr.
Baniasadi, A. (1997). Landscape of Semnan province. Geoghrphy, History and natural geoghraphy. Semnan: Social affair office.
Haqiqat, A. (1983). History of Qomes. Tehran: Keyhan.
Heinlz, J. (1989). Recognition of Iran legends. Translated To Persian by Amoozgar, Zh. & Tafazzoli, A. 1st edition, Tehran: Cheshme.
Javadi, Sh. (2007). Sacredness places in nature (water, tree, mountain). Bagh-e Nazar, (18): 12-22.
Javadi, Sh. & Arab salghar, N. (2013). Transfiguration the sacredness of water in Saadi holy shrine in Shiraz. Bagh-e Nazar, (26): 13-22.
Kabipoor, M. (2004). Historical analyze of fourfold elements of Iranian ancient era and it appearance in Hakhamanesh era. First Journal of art and natural elements forum. Tehran: Farhangestan Honar.
Keshavarz Damghani, A. (1991). History and Geography of Damghan. Tehran: Hirmand.
Khosravi, M. B. (1999). Water in Iranian art and culture. Honar magazine, (42): 112-120.
Kiani, Y. (1989). Iranian Cities. Tehran: Jahad daneshgahi.
Mirshokraee, M. (2003). Khezr in Vulgar Belief. Book of month art, (55-56): 28-42.
Mirshokraee, M. (2003). Culture and water. Book of month art, (57-58): 3.
Mohammadbari, A. & Hashemi, H. (1997). Second Journal of silk road congress. Tehran: Dabirkhane Hamayesh. Science and culture institute of Nashr-e Faza. (1986). Buildings and Damghan City. Tehran: Nashr-e faza.
Naghizadeh, H. (2003). Characters of water in Iranian cultures and his role on living place formation. Invironmentology magazine, (32): 71-92.
Shahrzadi, R. (1996). Moobad Rostam. Vahooman Magazine, (10): 46-51.
Sedaghatkish, J. (2003). Sacredness water in Iran. Book of month art, (57-58): 34-42.
Taheria, M. (1968). Damghan; a 6000 years old capital, First magazine of Dmaghan city imperial ceremony congress, (1): 11-20.