Article

Name: Saadi and Bunin under the Shadow of Humay

Authors: Marzieh Yahyapour, Janolah Karimi-Motahhar, Evgeny R. Ponomarev

University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; A. M. Gorky Institute of World Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation; F. M. Dostoevsky Russian Christian Humanitarian Academy, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation

Abstract:

The article examines the significance of the bird Humay (Khoma) in the culture and mystical literature of Iran and, through them, in Russian literature. The Quran mentions birds associated with the prophets, such as the hoopoe, raven, and quail. In Persian mystical literature, formed on the basis of Islamic culture, symbolic images of light, darkness and shadow occupy a significant place. With their help, poets expressed the spiritual path by which the mystic goes to self-perfection, comprehending the essence of God. The most important work of Iranian mystical literature is “Mantik-ut-tayr” by the poet of the 12th century. Faridaddin Attar, where in an allegorical form a spiritual journey in the name of the search for Truth is described, the result of which is self-knowledge – an important step in the knowledge of God. Saadi Shirazi (13th century) is one of the classics of Iranian literature, whose poems and views greatly influenced a number of Russian writers. It was most noticeable on Ivan Bunin. In his works, Bunin repeatedly mentions the name of Saadi and, imitating him, uses the image of Humay. Saadi Shirazi in his poems presented Humay as a sacred bird, foreshadowing happiness and good. She is a symbol of liberation from the shackles of the material world through spiritual renewal and transcendental transition to the world of the Absolute. “The shadow of the bird Humay, giving good luck and power”, fell on Bunin, who lived 700 years later than Saadi.

Keywords: Humay, Khoma, Attar, Saadi, Bunin, Iranian-Islamic culture, a symbol of happiness

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