Flower and Sword: An Ancient Legend of Iran

In the ancient land of Iran, shrouded in mystery and legend, time flows like a meandering river through the mists, its source hidden in the hazy depths of the primordial chaos. At that time, the universe was like an uncarved colossus of chaos, and all things lay asleep in the dark cradle, awaiting the moment of awakening.

Until one day, the great and benevolent god Ahura Mazda descended from the boundless light. With his radiant staff, he wielded an incomparable divine power, like a surging tide, dispelling the thick darkness that enveloped the world. In an instant, the world was bathed in brilliant light, the sky unfurled like a deep blue canopy, the earth spread out like an endless emerald, and the ocean wound like a ceaselessly flowing blue dragon. Thus, a new world was born under the grace of the gods, and all things embarked on their wondrous journey on this land.

After Ahura Mazda had initially shaped the world, he used his divine power to create the first human, Keyumars. Keyumars had a strong body and wise eyes. Bearing the mission of the gods, he became the first king of the earth. Under his leadership, humanity took the first step in exploring the world and developing, embarking on a magnificent journey. As time passed, Keyumars' descendants multiplied like stars on the earth, among whom there was an especially outstanding figure, Jamshid.

When Jamshid was born, he was endowed with extraordinary wisdom and strength by the gods. His eyes shone like the brightest stars in the night sky, radiating wisdom; his body was as strong as a towering mountain, brimming with boundless power. The moment he ascended the throne, the entire country seemed to be infused with a powerful vitality. With his outstanding governance skills, he carefully managed the country, like an experienced gardener tending to his garden. Under his rule, the country was orderly, the law was just and strict, and people lived and worked in peace. The land seemed to be inspired by him, becoming rich in produce. Crops grew vigorously in the fields, fruits hung heavily in the orchards, and cattle and sheep grazed leisurely on the grasslands, presenting a scene of vitality. Jamshid's reputation spread like the spring breeze, and people's respect for him grew day by day.

Not only that, Jamshid also demonstrated extraordinary creativity. With his wisdom and the inspiration bestowed by the gods, he created a magical "Far" halo. This halo was like a golden sun, emitting a mysterious and dazzling light. As long as he wore it, Jamshid could understand the mysteries of all things in the world, as if he could hear the whispers of flowers and trees and know the thoughts of birds, beasts, insects, and fish. He could also control the forces of nature, summoning wind and rain, bringing rain to dry land and calming storms. Under the protection of the "Far" halo, the country prospered and the people lived happily.

However, as time went by, victory and glory, like sweet poison, gradually eroded Jamshid's heart. He became arrogant and conceited, blinded by vanity. The once humble and wise heart was now occupied by arrogance and greed. He was no longer content with his status as a mortal king and even dared to challenge the authority of Ahura Mazda, the creator of all things.

Jamshid's arrogant act was like a thunderclap, shattering the harmony between heaven and earth. Ahura Mazda was extremely angry at his behavior and decided to give him a severe punishment. The god took back the "Far" halo, which symbolized supreme power and wisdom. Without the protection of the halo, Jamshid was like an eagle that had lost its wings, instantly losing his strength and radiance. His country, like a building without a foundation, quickly fell into chaos and turmoil. Once fertile land became barren, crops no longer grew, and famine spread; once harmonious society became turbulent and unstable, bandits roamed everywhere, and people lived in fear and despair. Meanwhile, upon hearing the news of Jamshid's downfall, the Arab prince and the evil snake king Zahhak secretly rejoiced. He believed this was an excellent opportunity to fulfill his ambition of ruling the world. Thus, he led his evil army, like a pack of hungry wolves, towards Jamshid's country.

Zahhak possessed extraordinary magic, and a terrifying aura emanated from him. Two terrifying venomous snakes coiled around his head, like messengers from hell, constantly clamoring to devour human brains. To satisfy the snakes' desires, Zahhak became extremely cruel, killing two innocent people every day and feeding their brains to the snakes. His atrocities were heinous, and the entire country was plunged into darkness. The people lived in dire straits, moaning in pain.

Seeing his country suffer such a disaster, Jamshid was filled with remorse and self-reproach. He knew that all this was the consequence of his arrogance. Therefore, he decided to lead his army to resist Zahhak's invasion, despite having lost the protection of the "Far" halo. The courage and sense of responsibility for his country still burned brightly in his heart.

However, without his powerful strength, Jamshid gradually became overwhelmed in the battle against Zahhak. His army retreated under the magic and the snakes' intimidation. Eventually, in a fierce battle, Jamshid was defeated. Zahhak seized the opportunity to overthrow Jamshid's rule and began his thousand-year reign of terror. During this long thousand years, Iran was shrouded in darkness, and the people lived as if in hell, constantly longing for a hero to come and save them from their suffering.

The gears of fate turned quietly. Among Jamshid's descendants, a child named Faridun was born in adversity. Faridun was naturally brave and fearless, and his eyes shone with determination and justice. From a young age, he heard the stories of his ancestor Jamshid and the suffering brought by Zahhak's cruel rule. These stories planted the seeds of justice in his young heart, and he secretly vowed to overthrow Zahhak's rule and rescue the suffering people.

To avoid Zahhak's pursuit, Faridun endured countless hardships during his growth. He was like a lone eagle, wandering in the wind and rain. He crossed the barren desert, where the scorching sun and swirling sand almost swallowed him up; he climbed over steep mountains, where the bitter cold wind and treacherous paths could cause him to fall to his death at any moment. But Faridun never gave up. During his wanderings, he diligently learned various knowledge and skills, constantly improving his abilities. He also met many like-minded companions who were inspired by his justice and courage and joined his cause, willing to fight with him to overthrow Zahhak's rule.

By chance, Faridun received the help of the divine bird Simurgh. Simurgh was a bird from the heavens, with huge wings that could block out the sun. Its feathers shone with colorful light, like the rainbow at the horizon. Simurgh was moved by Faridun's justice and courage and decided to bestow upon him magical powers. It gently touched Faridun's forehead with its sharp beak, and a powerful force instantly surged into his body. Faridun felt his body filled with strength, as if he could overcome all difficulties. Simurgh also guided Faridun to find the "Far" halo that Zahhak had taken away. When Faridun once again donned the "Far" halo, a brilliant light shone from his body, as if he had become the embodiment of justice. With the "Far" halo back in his possession, Faridun was brimming with confidence as he began to assemble an army. He traveled far and wide, recruiting warriors and telling them of Zohak's atrocities and his own ideals. Inspired by his words, people responded to his call and joined his army. After a long period of meticulous preparation, Faridun led his mighty army towards Zohak's castle.

The two armies faced each other, and the battlefield situation changed rapidly. Zohak, relying on his magic and the intimidation of the two snakes on his head, initially gained the upper hand. His army, like a black torrent, charged towards Faridun's forces. But Faridun was undaunted. With the "Far" halo's power, he skillfully employed tactics and led his army in a tenacious resistance. He was like a composed general, calmly analyzing the battlefield situation and issuing precise orders. Under his command, his army, like a well-trained beast, engaged in fierce combat with Zohak's forces.

After several days of intense fighting, Faridun finally discovered Zohak's weakness. He realized that although Zohak's magic was powerful, his heart was filled with fear and greed. Thus, Faridun decided to exploit this and launch a final attack. He led his army towards Zohak's core position. In the midst of the fierce battle, Faridun finally approached Zohak. He raised his sword, his eyes shining with determination, and slashed at Zohak with all his might. Zohak tried to dodge, but it was too late. Faridun's sword struck Zohak, who let out a scream and fell to the ground. The two snakes on his head also died, turning into a pool of blood.

Faridun successfully defeated Zohak and bound him tightly, imprisoning him deep within the Demavend Mountain. This mountain, towering into the clouds, was surrounded by steep cliffs and dense forests, forming a natural prison. Zohak would pay for his crimes here and never be able to harm humanity again.

After overthrowing Zohak's rule, Faridun was crowned the new king by the people. He deeply understood the value of peace and justice and thus established a series of fair laws. These laws, like bright lighthouses, illuminated the path for people and protected their rights. He vigorously developed the national economy and encouraged people to engage in agriculture, handicrafts, and commerce. Under his governance, the country gradually regained its vitality. The once barren land became fertile again, and laughter and joy resounded in the cities. People lived a happy and fulfilling life and were full of gratitude and love for Faridun.

To remember the lessons of his predecessors, Faridun constantly reminded himself and his people not to violate justice due to arrogance and greed. He carefully divided the country and assigned different regions to his three sons. He hoped that through this, his sons would learn responsibility and duty and jointly protect this hard-won land. He taught his sons to put the people first, care about their hardships, and govern the country justly. Under the governance of Faridun and his descendants, Iranian civilization continued to thrive and develop, gradually forming the rich and profound Iranian culture we see today.

And this legend of Jamshid, Zohak, and Faridun, like a brilliant star, shone in the long river of Iranian history. It was passed down from generation to generation by Iranians, constantly reminding people that justice will ultimately prevail over evil, arrogance brings disaster, and only by adhering to justice and humility can one achieve prosperity. It became an important part of Iranian culture, inspiring people to bravely pursue justice and never give up in the face of difficulties and challenges.