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Keywords

Musk, Persian poetry, symbolism, Iranian culture, olfactory imagery

Abstract

This paper explores the symbolic representation of musk in classical Persian poetry, uncovering its role as a multifaceted emblem of Iranian cultural identity and human experience. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of primary texts from the Ganjoor archive and secondary sources, the study traces musk’s historical significance across China, Iran, and Islamic world. In China, musk is prized for its rarity, medicinal properties, and metaphysical roles; in Iran, it intertwines with mythology, Zoroastrian cosmology, and trade; in Islamic contexts, it holds commercial and therapeutic value, cherished by figures like Mohammad. Within Persian poetry, musk transcends its material origins, symbolizing blackness (beauty and aging), resilience (blossoming despite adversity), seclusion (spiritual introspection), chastity (purity), enduring friendship (eternal bonds), homeland yearning (nostalgia), cosmetics (self-presentation), cuisine (vitality), and wealth (prestige).

These themes reflect poets’ navigation of socio-historical tensions – balancing patronage with reformist critique – while bridging the mundane and transcendent. Musk’s symbolic density offers insights into evolving social norms, Sufi ideals, and emotional landscapes, positioning it as a reflection of aspects of Iranian cultural heritage.

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