The Ring as a Token in the Barzū-nāma: On the Importance of Lineage and Origin

The token or nishan is embodied in the muhra or seal. It is a token to confirm the union, and to identify future offfspring. A token in the tangible form of a seal, a ring or a bracelet is in any case a recurrent theme, a Leitmotiv in both the story of Rostam and Suhrāb and in what is usually characterised as an imitation of this story, the Barzū-nāma. The Barzū-nāma is thought to date from the 11th century, and its earliest manuscript dates from 1425. The earliest examples of Barzū-nāma interpolations can be found in Shahnama manuscripts dating from the 15th century; many more examples of Barzū-nāma interpolations may be found in manuscripts copied after the first half of the 16th century. Although there are a number of obvious similarities between the story of Rustam and Suhrāb and the story of Barzū, there are just as many striking differences. Keywords:Barzū-nāma; nishān; Rustam; Shahnama manuscripts; Suhrāb