Common Iranian and Chinese Myths and Legends
Yasaman RamezanMahi
Reprinted from: Honar Nameh, University of Art, Tehran, No. 26, 2005 (A brief of the article)


The Scythians, who were spread over a large expanse of Central Asia, extending from east of Iran to India, Mongolia and parts of Russia and China, left a lasting imprint on the worldwide of indigenous peoples that continue to this day.

The extent of their cultural influence can be traced in Chinese mythology and rituals. Ferdowsi’s Shah-nameh (Book of King) includes a large portion of Iranian and Scythian peoples’ mythological and legendary history.

This article compares the narratives of Ferdowsi’s Shah-nameh with those of Feng Shen-Yi and analyzes legends and myths common to ancient China and Iran that are of Scythian origin.

Due to limitation of space for a full treatment of the extensive body of this common heritage, only a portion of the most important common tales is treated.