Review Article Review 4- Departmentof Sociology, Aras world and rendering it intelligible.Culture is aset distinctive in ways of orderingthe each society the whichpeopleact,anditincludes standards by norms,and to the values thus refers eration. It andtransmittedfromgen- a society generationto by "culture means oftraditionborne thetotalbody believedthat world around" (1).RobertMurphy people experience, interpret,and respond tothe her inwhich part definesitas "consistent ways various definitionsofcu event’s culturalbackgroundisrequired.Thereare ing itssocialdimensions,the acarefulreview of evaluat- social phenomenonand for asa infertility accurate unders have an gating itssocialdimension.to Therefore,inorder ing the culturalaspectofeacheventforinvesti- evaluat- then itnecessitates have witheachother, 3- Departmentof Sociology,Unive 2- AvicennaInfertility Clinic, Avicenna Re Reproductive BiotechnologyCenter, Avi 1- Research Zohreh Behjati-Ardakani An EvaluationoftheHist

Ancient Mythology Accepted: Received: [email protected] E-mail: P.O. Box:19615-1177 ACECR, Tehran, Iran, Research Institute, Center, Avicenna Biotechnology Research Akhondi, Reproductive Mohammad Mehdi * CorrespondingAuthor:

sentative of the types of relationships they ofrelationships they sentative of thetypes in whichthepeople’sbehaviorsarerepre- concept a cultural as society f weconceive Apr. 11, 2015 Apr. 11, Jul. 12, 2015 Introduction

1,2,4 To cite thisarticle:To Keywords: necessities. concerns andthenature’s the symbols consolidate theconceptofconformity betweenhuman reproductive like earthandwaterwerecommonin mythology symbols werein myths. Mostancientfertility gathered data indicated the multiplicity symbols inancient of fertility and variety was obtaine review study in this The data their zations andevaluatethereasonsof to reviewmythscivili- andcommon andreproductioninancient of fertility symbols in ancientci have variousrepresentations ground. Among themain themes andreproduction of ancient mythologies, fertility ing them, itturnsoutthatmany human problems haveahistoricalback- today, are reflective Myths of human concerns andneeds during ancient times. review- By Abstract 2016;17(1):2-9. tion of theHistorical Importance of lture. Patricia Marshall on lture. PatriciaMarshall tanding of fertility and tanding of fertility , Mohammad Mehdi Akhondi International Campus, Univers rsity ofTehran,

search Institute,ACECR,Tehran,Iran orical Importance ofFert Ceremonial Culture, behavior, Fer J Reprod Infertil. 2016;17(1):2-9 Infertil. 2016;17(1):2-9 Reprod J Tehran,Iran

Behjati-Ardakani Z,Akhondi MM,Mahm cenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran,Iran Fertility and Its Reflection inAn andIts Fertility 1,2 ity of Tehran,Iran  , Homa Mahmoodzadeh quired by...[members]of society" toms,ac- capabilities andhabits andmany other morals,cus- belief, art, law, cludes knowledge, in- "that complexwhole which fined cultureas persons anddestiniesareforged"(2). which we areborn;itis the anviluponwhichour the matrixinto It is of reality. with adefinition of mechanisms forsurvival,butitprovidesusalso some individuals in this context. The collective somethis context.The individualsin communitiesture toparticular just andinclude clusive, Therefore, his definitionis not restrictive andex- humanlife. of social the totality ion, cultureis opin- his the normativeaspect. In it lacks is that definition the importantof his ture. Infact, feature collective lifeandprovideshisdefinitionofcul- in essence.Hecountsanumber ofphenomenain comprehensive descriptive and simple isactually Edward Taylor, theEnglishanthropologist,de- Edward Taylor, The definition of Taylor which seemsbe which to Taylor The definitionof continuous importancecultures. indifferent d by scrutinizing the d by related literature.The vilizations. The purpose of this paper was this paper The purposeof vilizations. tility, Humans, Infertility, Mythology. Mythology. Infertility, tility, Humans, i.e ility andItsReflectionin . it does not restrict the concept of cul- . itdoesnotrestricttheconcept of spired by thenatureandsomethemspired by of of different civilizations. Therefore, ofdifferentcivilizations. oodzadeh H,Hosseini SH. An Evalua- 2 , Seyed Hasan Hosseini cient Mythology. JReprodcient Mythology. Infertil.

(3). 3,4

Downloaded from http://www.jri.ir

symbols ingreatcivilizations (5,6). meanings of myths andlegendsofancientfertility cultures, wemadenities’ an emphasis onconstructivecomponents ofcommu- sociological withan significance of infertility, the For clarifying and civilizations. ancient myths in observable clearly life, are reproduction inhis tions aboutdevelopment andtheimportance of man for reproduction,his questions andimagina- hu- desire of The deep-seated uate hisexistence. perpet- the perennialhumanto surviveand desire has adeep Fertility and strongrelationshipwith manifested.thologies, thisgreatconceptisduly the beginning ofcreationandinallancientmy- als. ritu- are allindicativeofthetraditionsandcurrent paintings back on thewallsofcaves to theearly everlasting effects ofpasthuman dating history beings, in theirneeds,desiresandbeliefs.The human reflectiveoftheevolutionin were always the configurationsofcommunities’ culture religionsandtraditionsas culture. Art,mythology, forced toexploretheconstructivecomponentsof weare standing of thesocialstatusfertility, definition (4). words, biological aspectsdonot have aroleinthis thing thatcanbeacquired,notinherited.Inother istic. Furthermore,some- heperceivescultureas its prominentcharacter- definition is nature ofthe ancient Greece, Mythos (myyhe derived from the (myyhe ancient Greece,Mythos popular fromtimeIn ancient Greek uptonow. is myth whichwasinopposition withhistory of people who lived withmyths). This conceptof who saw itfrom tothebelief the outside (contrary ingless and absurd from the viewpoints ofthose myth seemedmythology, tobe something mean- (5,6). should berepeatedconsecutively is aconstantmodel,it the myth. Sincemyth reversible and thisisaninherentcharacteristicof time,is unlikehistoricaltime,is notlinear,but the wholecreationofuniverse.Mythological besides for theirexistence ditions andthereasons world, animals, plants,mankind,tra- institutions, of narration aboutthegenesis Therefore, itisthe culture from thebeginning,timelesstime. the who created the ancestors supernaturals, or that divine features thework story of godsand living myth intraditionalsocietiesisasacredand The concept of myth: The concept The concept of fertility canbefollowedupfromThe conceptoffertility Based on theassumption, for accurateunder- However, till theemergence of newschoolsin Mircea Eliadebelievesthat attempt to refer tothe 17, No Jan-Mar 1, Infertil, Vol 2016 Reprod J Behjati-Ardakani Z, et al.

the expansiveworldandwanted togivemeaning which themanin wasbewilderedandfrightened part belonged of themythology to thetime in and all theotherthingscame intoexistence.This the man,sun how thetree, the depicted tion. They crea- of theworld’s myths wereaboutdescription long as thecreationoffirstmyths. Primarily, the as have in ancient fertility a history mythology nature’s restrictions(10). ofpeoplewith andadapt the and life style body are tools tomake a compromise between mind rituals need them. and doesnot Myths the body tooldtimesthat ney andwishestohaveobjects jour- Mindis abletohaveaneccentric and body. cient myths weredesigned to harmonize themind ture and the imagination can be discovered.An- cerns thesurroundingna- which areinspired by remainsuggested, always perpetual. mythologists and other that Eliade as theconcept but telling as superstitiousandnonsensicalstory mainnot the ancientmyths,This isthe reasonthat becomes foundation. the founderofhistory’s thereby and history to thenominatedactors ofthe roles assigns different director, it the play and as fact, myth isa powerful andinscrutablesource the world ofmyth (9).In (The worldof poetry) from canseparatetheworldofhistory boundary no historians believethat and myth andseveral inourera(8). novelsandplays tion incryptic crea- death and regarding life, historical questions such trace of found the The mythologists have them. answersfor finds perfectandsatisfactory vokes such questionsinhismind thathenever humanhim mindpro- never abandons and that concept of myth is the everlastingobsessionof the timeappearance because totimewith new fact occurfromthat themyths never die andthey the Perhapsthisquestioncanbeansweredby ty? remains stable. What is thesecret of itsimmortali- worldstill of ignoring the today’s the historicity equates toabsurdandnonsensicalstories)(7). meaningwhich ther asthesecond oftheword - or history, not meaningas story historia (but valid and void) as the Arabic equivalentfor the Persian culturesconsidered myth (mythic, in- wisdomand cate andsubtlespeech, andintellect) deli- (word, speech, of logos silent) wasopposite mythos, meaningLatin mythus, Greek dumband Firstnature: goddesses and creation, Through explorationinthemyths, humancon- There isaninextricablebindbetweenhistory But themyth, despite theperceived absurdity, Symbols of

JRI 3

Downloaded from http://www.jri.ir

4 earth". Then thegoddess became oneofthe and later itchanged intotheangelor"Godof mother" "Fertileearth"or"Earth’s and especially desses and her name hasthe meaning of"Earth" cosmic practice(15, 16). of intercourse issacred and reproduction isa ed. InIndiaandmostsecret part oftheworld, plation aboutthemomentcreat- the wholelifeis the goddess. Reflection on this symbol iscontem- of vagina or"Yoni" in tothe should beinserted nis or"Lingam"which of thegod,creator, (14). goddess once universalmother existence ofa contributed to thedissemination of belief inthe also have scholars ofreligionandarchaeology someModern places,blendingintooneanother. tions and powerseven, at certaintimes andin func- overlappingin ers, whilestilloccasionally have prominent rolesaswell(13). together be created.Inthismyth, plantandearth have intercourse,sevendifferentraceswould they and female childrenwouldbeformed andwhen male andastheresultofthatsevenpairs dency ten- isseenasasymbol ofinstinctive Mashyana" would and be pregnant).Intercourseof"Mashya thewomenshe days, doesnothaveperiod, forty after the number (If isthefirstsignofpregnancy because offemalesymbol isa fertility ber forty num-mythologists, the According to in theearth. plant fromroot ofthis werecreated thedual yana" woman in the world called andMash- "Mashya Iranian belief,humanor thefirstmanand beings "Mandrake" from In hissemen years. after forty of the growth of Keyumars and rative aboutdeath female gender (12). theshape "ankh". of "ankh"identifies Today, and her symbol signcalled is a hieroglyphic dess isthe in ancient one called"Maat", Egypt reason respected that the and worshipedgod- only Thisisthe andmuliebrity. connected with fertility vaunted goddesses are theones that aremainly and that mostof myths lizations, weunderstand return tomythological rootsisrequired(11). tovalidatenewdiscoveries,a Today, thology. my- of the this part allocated to less attentionwas er, with theprogress of scienceandrationality, to theextensiveenvironment aroundhim.Howev-

JRI

"Armaiti" is also one of the ancient Persian god- ancient Persian "Armaiti"one ofthe isalso In India, themost popular ultimate symbol ispe- differentfromAncient goddesseswerevery oth- In ancient Iran,theoldestcreationmyth isanar- civi- ofancient ofmythology Through thestudy Historical Importance of Fertility inAncientMythology Fertility Importance of Historical J Reprod Infertil, Vol 17, No 1, Jan-Mar 2016 2016 Jan-Mar 1, No 17, Vol Infertil, Reprod J their structure, they were prevalent and wide- prevalent and were they their structure, and and withslightdifferences intheappearance Woman words andeartharetheancientAryan woman andearth hasexistedforalongtime. of of unity earth ishomogeneousand theidea of womanand generation. Thenature the ideaof

rived from nature,werereviewed. de- which were in themythology, bols offertility them. Inthefollowing,most important sym- bound with naturalelements andinspiredby most ofthesymbols andmyths are inextricably nature, people to of ancient the life dependence of total (7).Dueto not cryptic guage ofthemyths is (10). Babylon godof ,theyoung creator of universe-by fish or a giant monster andthe who ruled Babylon old -large trend startedfromthe deathof a towards maleThe myths wereshifted gender. the world ofmother the goddesses andgradually occupation, Samisoccupied invasion and ing the dur- BC, century in thefourth the goddesses.But Euphrates, Indus andlater Ganges- therealm of of largerivers- theNile,Tigrisand valleys tion (18). istence andtheepitome andreproduc- offertility myths ofthelandassymbol ofmotherex- of whichbecamethe popularinall psychology the worldisatree;symbol ofpenisin Freudian of the foundation creation and symbol of the gy, ers (17).Forexample,mytholo- inScandinavian oth- and soilin werewater somethey legends,or These male andfemale elements wereplantsin from thefusionofmale andfemaleelements. the narrationsisthatfirsthumansemerged butthecommonnarrated differently, pointofall been first humanon earthhas birth ofthe being 16). spread in many Indo-European languages(15, have and they and spelling their appearance in just slightdifferences pean oneswhichhave Armaiti,Indo-Euro- landandwomanare theold of Allthe the wordis three wordsof "Fertility". Erua isthegoddessofbirthandevenmeaning had acommon originwithSepand Erua who wasthewifeofMarduk,greatgod (15, 16). Amesha Spentas orthefollowersofAhuraMazda

Earthplants: and All thegreatmythologists agreethat the lan- mainly formedthe Western civilizationwas in the In thelegendsofancientChinaandEgypt, Also, theMesopotamianSarpanitum/ goddess, Woman and earth both impart

ā rmaz because

Downloaded from http://www.jri.ir

her anddeitiesareallchildren (10). isinside called "Forms Everything ofSensibility". Femalebol ofMaya. isthesymbol ofwhatKant of goddesses isstilldominant- female isthesym- semiotics ofthe study Indian religion-wherethe the templesameEgyptian conveys message. In in goddess of The body with theuniverse. then the universe She becomesis herbody. one creator, as the have agoddess time. Whenyou the celestial creaturedepictedat dess istheonly longing toNeolithicerawerefoundandthegod- goddess hasamythological representation(10). and inculturalsystems offarming,Egypt the tural worldofancientMesopotamia, theNilein afemininecreatures is truly force. Intheagricul- together. The power that creates and feedsthe the magic arejoined ofearth.Inother words,they does the same. Therefore, themagic of women is plants. Women feedthechildrenandearth birth to children,just as theearth gives lifeto relatedtoearth.Womenissue is inevitably give with agricultureandfarming communities.This (20). mother" father"derivedfrom and"Sky thisorigin ther intheirbelief.Therefore,thephrases"Earth of malefa- wasrepresentative genderor and sky cessors perceivedearthasthewoman ormother became common inhuman literature.Our prede- of nature, mother of universe, motherland and likethemother origin ofthecreationanything mother (female), buttheword was deemed asthe word referringtohumanmother wasnotonly During thetime,the contemporary worksofart. existed in visualartsfrom tilltoday’s olddays spread. "Motherland" isa sustainable beliefwhich werecreatedandbecame"Mother country" wide- or der andbasedonthatthephrases"Motherland" dess of earth (10). Thegoddess had feminine gen- spring. In terms of power, woman is like thegod- off- and feederofthe director oflife,birthgiver were safeinhernurturingarms. Womanthe is tive andnurturinglikewomen, andallcreatures offspring wasattributedtomothers (19). was the reasonthatinancienttimes, generationof It and livelinessduetotheirchildbearingability. life source of cessors consideredwomenas the "man" Ourprede- islinkedwithdeathanddying. word and the with life, word "woman"is linked spread in many Indo-European languages.The

In ancienttimes and matriarchal mythology, effigies be- In Europe,hundredsofgoddesses’ The abovementioned ideaisprimarily associated The oldbeliefconsideredearthfertile,reproduc- 17, No Jan-Mar 1, Infertil, Vol 2016 Reprod J Behjati-Ardakani Z, et al. which was consideredsacred could revivethefer- customary for men andwomen. Theirintercourse were al sexrelationshipsduring cropcultivation andearth.Ritu- rain, thesexualintercourse ofsky and male formed sky embryo andseedwasthe by was theresultofasacredmarriage.fe- Soilwas crops era, harvestingthe myths oftheNeolithic primalearth. In fertilize the lestial forceswhich denotes deliveringthechild(21). ground" on the phrase "sitting tian language,the sits on thegroundand delivers herchild.InEgyp- Caucasus, when childlaborpainstarts,thewoman tion in many nations. In China and some partsof ground isacommon onthe tradi- Child delivery "Motherland". to the his belonging earth and the ground showsthedependenceofchildto have important rolesinmourning (8). women willfindanewlife;accordingly, they soil, when the seedin fact, asthewaterreachesgroundandfertilizes In womento theirfertility. infuneralsisrelated of femaleEven weeping reproductiveorgans. of times,have indications belonging toancient all statues remained role.The fromgoddesses tility fer- had a that women werealize always thology, my- of earth andwomenstudy (22). Throughthe ofthemonth,fifth day forhonoringthefertile the Hence, Iraniansselectedthismonth, especially revives. the earth month,are greenand thebuds oftheearth.Inthis and reproductively fertility called "Sepand namesfor introducingthemselves (20). fathers’ namesmotherof their ormothers’ instead no matriarchal system, thepeopleusedtheir Even during theElamite period,thoughtherewas mother.was attributedto generation ofoffspring Therefore,insomethe ability. ancientperiods, childbearing of lifeandlivelinessduetotheir Our predecessors consideredwomen as thesource and economic positionincomparison tomen (21). that time, womenpolitical hadasuperiorsocial, At her support. askedfor constantly a goddessand femalesas andpeopleusedtoworshipthisgender continuation of thehuman racewasinthehandof Therefore,besidestheirnaturalrole, their activity. on earth andsurvivalof the tribedependedon women were the first farmers and seedcollectors concept of female genderwiththeearthsince giveness and mercy. Ancientpeopleconnectedthe for- woman andlife, wastheoriginoffertility Gender andintercourseweredeemedce- asthe the Sometimeschild on the laying seatingor is last monthof winter that the Even thefact ā rmaz" or "Esfand" is related to the rmaz"is relatedto or"Esfand" we weep for the dead, weep forthe we

JRI 5

Downloaded from http://www.jri.ir

6 parts is celebrated in harvesting and threshing parts iscelebratedinharvesting and ticular ritual, hisdeath and tearing ofhisbody ble as apar- year for harvestingthe crops. Every responsi- becamethe underworld and therulerof He buried in differentlocationsthroughoutEgypt. was tornapart body and thepieces like seedswere son ThenOsiris’ that could sustain the dynasty. from per- the king.,their son, wastheonly live forashorttime andIsisbecamepregnant the was found,hecould only king. Whenhisbody of find thecorpse the worldto , wanderedin wife, and his his sister king and throne, killedthe the people. Hisbrother,,whowantedaccessto taught theknowledge Egypt, of agricultureto not as capable as . , the first kingof was TheslightdifferencewasthatIsis thology. turned tothesourceofcreation(22). the womb ofMotherEarthandimagined re- they sacred animals have enteredinto there,felt they to the undergroundcaves, instead ofwatchingthe travelled Lascaux. However,theworshipperswho in Neolithic eraarelikethetunnelsinStoneAge the earth. Some in ofthediscoveredlabyrinths touched somethingbut nowthey sky, sacredon people imaginedclimbing the mountainsto reach theirhumancollected by mothers. Onceinawhile were germination oftheflowersandthenthey neath untilnewpeoplecame uptothesurfacelike to seeds,theirlifestartedfromunder- theworld ings, like theplantsgrew from theearth; similar were based onthebeliefthatfirsthuman be- myths of creationinEuropeandNorthAmerica give birthtofollowinggenerations.Somethe of womenthing initswombthe same asthe just way every- Earth generated sacred entity. regarded asa no sex symbol was assigned forthe earth butwas and a nurturingone.Inotherpartsoftheworld, of women, earth was deemed as a female entity due tothematernalrole verse. Lateron,probably uni- Japan, therewasnospecificgenderforthe consideredfeminine.was not always InChinaand (17). Canaan goddessoffertility customs wereperformedAsherah, to celebrate house belonged to sacred prostitutes,particular a temple inJerusalem, abouttheact.In a in angry were and Ezekiel prophets Hosea BCthough ry centu- ancient Israelwasperformeduntil thesixth ritual threesomein The Bibleindicatesthat sex that. wombearth andfertilizes goes intothe ofthe the farmersimilarthat whichwas tothepenis tilizing power of the soil;it resembled plowingof

JRI

The same pattern can be found in Egyptian my- in Egyptian The samecan befound pattern earth of Neolithicera, days However, inearly Historical Importance of Fertility inAncientMythology Fertility Importance of Historical J Reprod Infertil, Vol 17, No 1, Jan-Mar 2016 2016 Jan-Mar 1, No 17, Vol Infertil, Reprod J have the same root inSanskrit (langala). Theword men as theseed(22).The wordsshovelandpenis furrows in theland like female vulva and these- the womencultivation. Indians considered likethe messengerthe warning, Zeus, of this her. By unless her daughter,Kore,wouldbereturnedto threatened to killthepeoplethroughstarvation She ous andimpededharvesting ofthecrop. the mournfully wandered in the world. She wasfuri- and Persephone, Demeterthe MountOlympus left robs of theunderworld, When Hades,theking earth. of the the fertility grains and presided over who sephone. Demetergoddess ofharvest isthe Per- Demeterher daughter Greek myths about and does the actofsowing,productwillbeen- land. Itwaswellknownthatifapregnantwoman cultivated of the the fertility couldinfluence ity sowing believed the seeds. that femaleThey fertil- the farmof theirbreastmilkbefore withthedrops lan- with thewordcultivationinIndo-European has thesameroot and theword for thecultivation (22). again embargoearth becamefertile once tility and turned to hermother, Demeter, she endedthefer- re- who wasnowherhusband.WhenKore Hades had tospendfourmonths with oftheyear when Kore wasimprisoned intheunderworld,she gods, sent Hermes tosaveKore,butunfortunately forthiseconomicdivorce only reason (24). dens andfieldstheir husbandscanaskfor In Uganda, infertile women area danger forgar- on the farm to stimulate the male until itrains. sky drought, womenmany regions,during naked run hanced, but thiswoman must bechaste(24).In agriculture (19). was theresultofrolethatwomenearly hadin goddess maleagriculture toa genderorascribing guages (23). Considering the grains as havingfe- that "Yourwivesareatilthforyou". states Quran farmholy is symbolized to andeven Islamicwoman(23). In literature, penis toplough woman issymbolized toland’sfurrowsandthe in several East Asian languages.Sometimes plough meaningpenis and both the of "IAK" has death are inseparably intertwinedtogether(23). death areinseparably of harvesting aswellanditindicatesthatlife corn season.Thegodoftheunderworldis

The GreeksandRomansof regardedfertilizing The abovementioned ideais also manifested in Water: Water: Rural womenof inFinlandirrigatedthefurrows Women inthematriarchal erawereresponsible In addition to plants and earth, waster is plants andearth,waster In additionto

Downloaded from http://www.jri.ir

rivers and celebrate the day (15,16). rivers andcelebratetheday trian girls and women still go to the beachesand Zoroas- Anahita. In India, springs forworshiping and people usedtogothebeaches,riversor It is held in November of Aban month)(10th day Aban is aspecial ceremony inhonoringAnahita. womanIran. a perfect in symbol of was the and ry marriage,tility, love,motherhood, birthandvicto- goddess of water,rain,abundance,blessings,fer- the ArdivisuraNahita was In fact, source oflife. Anahita praised and was highly considered asthe were famous and virtue.InIran, fornobility ThenunsofAnahita of thespreadactivity. lieved thatthisseveredenunciationisindicative and denounced prostitutionand some peoplebe- ofIran(15,16). country Zoroastrianismthe popular in or Nahid, wasnot combination ofbothSami customsof andworship of However, thistraditionwhichwastheresult gaged withsacredprostitutionbeforemarriage. rian, the girlsofaristocraticfamilies wereen- in Anatoli andbasedon Strabo, theRoman histo- and "philanthropist".Anahitahadmany temples "revitalizing power", "mother of allknowledge" some and lifeofArmenia",titles likethe"glory all peopleandinArmenia sheisrememberedwith of the belovedgoddess many cities, Anahitawas milk inthebreastsofallmothers (15,16).In refiner ofthefemalewombof andthecirculator name. Anahitawasthepurifierofmalesperm, the "Nahid" or"Anahid"areothervariationsof and the goddessofallwatersonearth.Thewords source InIran,ArdivisuraNahitaisthe fertility. of the symbol was recognizedas of thewaters, became more prominent; so Anahita, thegoddess goddess hadreproductiveroles. goddess. In theiropinionbothwaterandmother/ mother/ to a associated thewater ter" andthey wa- in "first Greeks believed earth. However,the creation startsfromgy, the fusion ofplantand ation myths. Asstated before, inIranianmytholo- cre- various narrationsof arerelatedto mythology the celestialgod(24,25). the symbol formothers, theconceptionforceof is and rain of creation the source cultures, wateris andwomb ofthewomen.fertility ancient Inmany the old symbol for and isan iscreated everything Wateristhefirstelementthology. fromwhich an important symbol in ancientmy- of fertility

"Pinikri" was the great mother of theoriginal condemned Zoroastrian religioustextsstrongly this elementgradually the roleof In ancientIran, The mainGreek differencesbetweenIranianand 17, No Jan-Mar 1, Infertil, Vol 2016 Reprod J Behjati-Ardakani Z, et al. them should becleanand their perceivedvalueis of both way; in another are connectedtogether mented. Letusnotforgetthatwaterandwomen between men andwomen wasevidentanddocu- bands for them. In both cases, therelationship considered feminine a In someally. partsof Iran, theseaqueductswere en toimmerse theirbodiesintheaqueductsannu- wouldassignseveralwom-ducts decreased,they aque- customthe amountwaters inthe thatif of ancient times associated the phases of themoonthe phases ancient timesassociated of moon and wasabeautifulgirl.Also,peoplein moon. In ancient Rome, "Diana" was thegoddess goddesses were always deemedgoddesses were always asrelatedtothe associated motherand other goddess. The goddess as the epitome offemale power andalsomother mythology, the moon was also commonly known like rapingawoman (17). considered feminine. Ifmen go tothe spring, itis women. Each springhasa goddess andwateris from the springsnotmen, sincespringsbelongto womenwater of Iran, bring and deserts rural areas in islost. her over Even today, virginity her body, girlletstherain fall myth thatwhen the young the there is (17). Moreover, waters arereleased imprisoned women would be freed and theclosed killing thedragonsasrulersofworld, by India, Iran and of year the new mythologies about another separatetempleIn forKiririsha(15,16). BC. erected atemple for"" andestablished 521 Zanbil" around of Chogha lished "Ziggurat estab- ter. Forexample,"Untash-" who indicate that""isanindependentcharac- the two goddessesasone.Historicalexamples other Elamite take goddess.Butwecannotsimply heras"Kiririsha",an- Elamites. Othersidentify to themoon (25). dependent plants is in fertility in animals,like the fertility Theancientbeliefwasthatthe of fertility. was the donorof rain andreflectstheconcept moonand death.Infact, also thesymbols ofbirth in fromthe sky, the crescent to full moon, were moonthe growthofplantsandtrees.Phases moon. and Moon wasalso associated withfertility ter (17). wa- of supply increase in for the their belongings ble. Even thepeople living nearthem sacrifice respecta- sacredand very seas arestillconsidered related InIran, to their springs, riversand purity. In Iran, about hundred years ago, there was a there was ago, years about hundred In Iran, All Greek goddesseswere oncethegoddessof Moon:

Aside from theabovesymbols, inancient nd people had to find hus- nd peoplehadtofind

JRI 7

Downloaded from http://www.jri.ir

8 with their girls or wives. In the East, all believed In theEast,all with theirgirlsorwives. moon with thevisageofasnakewassleeping woman’s face. Some people believed thatthe (19). snake Heaven’s reincarnated ina was always common custommatriarchyfrom period of the and the serpentin ancient , was deemed asa tine womanof a sanctity Similarly, penis (24). in the firstmillennium BC who hadaserpen- god Pazuzu wasademon Assyrian Babylonian– of of snake the body to the penis. Forexample, similarity duetothe is partly had apivotalrole.It band of women. rituals,snake Inancientfertility andisconsideredasthehus- ated with pregnancy Likewise,snakeisassoci- tive tool inmythology. orreproduc- been seen asthesymbol offertility and moon,namelysome earth,water animalshave duction (22). repro- and fertility symbol of as the perceive both changes ofthemoonthey rainingstartsandhence people havefoundfromwith experiencethat moon, the rainfallsfromthe wombthe it isstatedthat of sociated with the moon’s position. Inmythology, wasas- ofthe earth, land’sfertility the fertility ly consequent- amountrainfall and influences the of also associatedwithmoon.moon Therefore,since is Moreover, rainfall moon’s the resultof gravity. have an effectontheseaanditsebbflowis will becomepregnant (22). womanground, any who swallows theblossom tales, whentheblossomthe moonthe of fallson usedtooccur. al cycles through themovements ofthemoon, themenstru- with women'sthat thought They menstrualcycle. cowwasthesymbol ofmoon.sian mythology, menPer- wasconsideredindecentandobscene.In milk fromby thecow’sudderanddoingact mostIran, womenreason thatin drew villages in the This is womendia, wasmanifestedin Iran. by cowsasthesymbol the of raincloudsinIn- dairy by represented fertility and Iran, ofIndia thology reproduction inancienttimes. Incomparativemy- aserpentinthe temple ofApollo(19). nant by the legends thatmother ofCaesarbecame preg- give birth tomany children. Also,it is shownin causingwomensnakes preventedinfertility to with the snake. In India,it was assumed that place during menstruation,had taken or puberty that the firstsexual intercourse ofgirls,during JRI

Animals: Animals: According to the ancients, moon’scan the ancients, positions According to Cow was also the symbol of fertility andfemaleCow offertility was alsothesymbol Historical Importance of Fertility inAncientMythology Fertility Importance of Historical i.e . moon’s treasure. Fromtimes,. moon’s ancient In additionto the aboveelements,

J Reprod Infertil, Vol 17, No 1, Jan-Mar 2016 2016 Jan-Mar 1, No 17, Vol Infertil, Reprod J According toChinesefolk 3. 2. 1. family and involve the whole society. family andinvolvethewholesociety. the issues and theirsocialaspectsextendbeyond importantreproduction arestill and ties, fertility in modernsocie- industrial understood thatwhy itcanbe its of fertility, status andculturalhistory tion in differentculturesworldwide.Accordingto reproduc- and importancefertility and of cessity ing abouthisrequirements andquestions. nation and theorigin for illustrationsanddream- fact thatnaturewasthecontextforhuman imagi- the refer to myths, all in reproduction and cow women and theroleof suchanimals likesnake of the moonon fertility mother,influence of the The perceivedsimilarity inearthandwoman/ myths ofmost civilizations. pivotal roleinfertility communities. Besides goddesses,naturehada someconsidered theprime in suspectofinfertility thewomen explainsthat en. why It partly arestill verse andsimilar species,wereattributedtowom- uni- creation ofthe ple’s beliefs,reproduction, peo- ing belongedtogoddesses;therefore,alsoin most ofthem, thepowerofcreationandgovern- tions believed ingoddessesandasclarified, andreproduction.Mostancientciviliza- fertility insymbols of andvariety notes themultiplicity samples in ancient civilizationsde- of mythology the timeless time. Aquickoverview ofselected tors whocreatedtheculturefrom thebeginning, ances- or the gods andsupernaturals, the workof sentative ofgreatmotherwell (15,16). as bovidae wererepre- asthegodsoffertility family reproduction. Forthisreason,thehornsof spective, both were and the symbol of fertility horn andfromper- was thesymbol ofcow’s this moon.spermmoonto the Crescent wouldtravel its hands ofevil, the killed by When thecowwas

Authors declarenoconflict of interest. ne- The myths reflectthedeepdurablerootsin features that and divinestory isasacred Myth

Murphy Robert. Culture andSocial Anthropology: Marshall PL. Cultural Diversityin1st ourSchools. Campbell 2001. 384p. ed. Belmont,CA: Wadsworth/ThomsonLearning; son; 2000.480p. Pear- NewYork: ed. 4th multicultural education. to

DE. Conflict of Interest Conflict ofInterest

Choosing Conclusion References

Democracy:

A

practical

guide

Downloaded from http://www.jri.ir

14. 13. 12. 11. 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4.

sian. Tehran: Cheshmeh Publications; 2013.675p.Per- Bahar M. [From Mythology to History]. 8th ed. Persian. ed. Tehran: AgahPublishingp. House; 1995.160 Ashouri D. [DefinitionandConceptofCulture].1st inburgh: Canongate; 2006.176p. Armstrong K. AShort History of Myth. 1st ed.Ed- Eliade Harper &Row; 1963.204p. York: New ed. Reality.1st and M.Myths Eliade similePublisher; 2015.512p. Study ofMan andCivilization. 1st ed.London: Fac- Taylor EB. Anthropology: AnIntroduction to the tice-Hall 14; 1986.248p. An Overture. 2nded. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Pren- versity OfChicago Press; 1981.508p.

nceton University Press; 1992.368p. 1st ed. Mannheim R, translator. Princeton, NJ: Pri- Bachofen JJ.Myth, Religion, andMother Right. Amirkabir Publication; 1996.323p.Persian. Zarinkoob A.[HistoryScale]. on Tehran: 10th ed. sian. Persian LanguageandLite Farhangestan, (9). Tehran: Iranian Academy of Cultures in Indo-EuropeanLanguages]. Name-ye H. [Ref Rezaei BaghBidi Paris: Nathan; 1986.133p. De Beaucorps M. LesSymboles Vivants. 1st ed. Publications; 2011.566p.Persian. culture andcivilization)].Ghatreh3rd ed.Tehran: Pahlevan Ch.[Ethnography

M.

History

of

Religious. rature;Per- 1997.10p. (Speech in the field of in thefield (Speech lection of Patriarchal lection of

1st 17, No Jan-Mar 1, Infertil, Vol 2016 Reprod J

ed.

Chicago:

Uni- Behjati-Ardakani Z, et al.

22. 21. 20. 19. 18. 17. 16. 15. 25. 24. 23.

P. Bedrick Books; 1985.143p. 1992. 350p.Persian. ran:Women Roshangaran & studiespublishing; tyPrehistory in History and Period].Teh- 1st ed. Lahiji Sh, Kar M. [Recognition and Female Identi- et Romaine. 12th ed.Paris: PUF; 1994.574p. Grimal P. Dictionnaire dela Mythologie Grecque York: Doubleday; 1988.231p. Campbellof Myth. J.ThePower New 1st ed. sian. tor. Theran: Markaz Publication; 2007.168p.Per- the of World Mythology]. 4th ed. Sattari J,transla- in Primitive in Psychology B.[Myth Malinowski cations; 2003.249p.Persian. Iranian Mythology]. 1st ed.Tehran: Hermes Publi- Ghareshi andMountain A.[Water in Indian and 112 p.Persian. liefs]. 1st ed.Tehran: Horufieh Publication; 2003. Sheikh[Anahita Farshi F. Ancient inBe- Iranian 298 p.Persian. ture]. 6th ed.Tehran: Markaz Publication; 2011. Cul- Sattari J.[ThePortraitofWoman inIranian ran: Markaz Publication; 2004.228p.Persian. Sattari J. [Myth in Today’s World]. 2nded.Teh- Hinnells ed. London: Galahad; 1975.252p. Warner R. Encyclopedia Mythology. ofWorld 1st Press; 2005.240p.Persian. fire)]. 1sted.Tehran:IranianAcademy ofArts Aart andNatureElementsand (water,soil,air Articleson FirstIntellectualization E.[The Aryani

JR.

Persian

Mythology.

1st

ed.

New

JRI

York:

9

Downloaded from http://www.jri.ir