Arash the Archer and His Boundary-Setting Arrow

Amidst the mountains and plateaus of Iran, a heroic legend has endured for millennia — Arash the Archer, who swore an oath with his life, used a single arrow to define the border between two nations, restoring peace to a war-torn land. Etched into the memory of the Persian people, this legend stands alongside the snow-capped Mount Damavand and the rushing waves of the Amu Darya as a symbol of Iran's national spirit.

In ancient times, Iran (Persia) and its neighboring country Turan fought endlessly over territorial disputes. Grasslands were soaked in blood, villages turned to scorched earth, and countless families were torn apart. Both kings and commoners had grown weary of this unceasing slaughter. Eventually, the monarchs of the two nations reached an agreement: they would jointly select a brave warrior to climb Mount Damavand, Iran's highest peak, and shoot a decisive arrow. The spot where the arrowhead landed would be designated as the permanent border between the two countries.

When news spread, the entire nation of Iran searched for the archer who could bear the fate of the people. It was then that Arash stepped forward. He was not a nobleman, but he was born with a natural talent for archery and a compassionate heart. For years, he had witnessed the suffering brought by war and had long been determined to bring peace to his homeland. People said Arash's archery skills were extraordinary — he could hit the eye of an eagle a hundred miles away and make his arrows fly against the wind with unerring precision.

On the agreed day, as dawn broke, the kings of both nations, accompanied by their senior officials, gathered at the foot of Mount Damavand. Dressed in a plain battle robe and holding his ancestral ox-horn bow, Arash climbed step by step to the snow-covered summit. The bitter wind howled at the top, making it hard to keep his eyes open, and the thin air made breathing difficult. Yet his gaze burned with unwavering resolve — in Zoroastrianism, fire symbolizes light and justice, and at that moment, it blazed in his heart, sustaining him in his sacred mission.

Slowly, he drew his long bow until it curved like a full moon, and the feathered arrow on the string glinted coldly. This arrow carried the hopes of thousands; it held the fate of the nation's territory and dignity; it was a devout prayer for peace. Arash took a deep breath, channeling all his strength, a lifetime of skill, and his love for his homeland into his arm.

"For light! For peace!" he shouted, and with a sudden release of the bowstring, the arrow streaked across the sky like a shooting star, whistling sharply as it raced toward the distance. At the exact moment the arrow was fired, the immense force of the shot caused Arash's body to shatter. His flesh and bones scattered across the rocks of Mount Damavand, merging with the eternal snow.

Everyone from both nations was deeply moved to tears. The arrow, which carried the hero's life, flew through the air for seven days and seven nights, crossing countless valleys and gorges, before finally landing on the banks of the distant Amu Darya. In accordance with their agreement, the Amu Darya became the natural border between Iran and Turan. War ceased from that day on, and people on both sides of the river were able to live and work in peace, tilling the land and herding livestock.

Later, Iranians began to tell tales: the flowers that bloom year after year on Mount Damavand are nourished by Arash's blood; the reeds that stand tall forever along the Amu Darya are the unyielding backbone of the hero. Every year during the Mehregan Festival — a celebration that already symbolizes the victory of light over darkness — people pay tribute to Arash and recount his deeds, deepening the festival's significance.

Today, Arash's image can still be found in Iranian poetry, paintings, and music. His story not only records a chapter of ancient history but also passes down the Iranian nation's yearning for peace, admiration for courage, and the noble spirit of sacrificing oneself for justice and one's homeland. That arrow, which has traversed a thousand years, has long become an eternal beacon, illuminating the past and future of this ancient land.