Character · The Shahnameh · Volume I

Faranakفرانک

fa-rah-NAK

Fereydoon’s mother, who hides him from Zahhak.

In the poem: First at A5.3, The Birth of Fereydoon; last at A6.1, Fereydoon Gains the Throne
Named: 5 times, in 3 sections
Main stories: A5 Zahhak’s Tyranny and the Uprising of Kaveh (4); A6 The First Kings: Fereydoon (1)
Spouses: Abtin
Children: Fereydoon
Plates: Vol I: II

Genealogical plate: The Pishdadian Kings — Volume I, Plate II: The Pishdadian Kings. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 3 sections that name Faranak most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Faranak. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

A5.3

The Birth of Fereydoon

Fereydoon is born. Zahhak’s men kill his father, Abtin, and his mother, Faranak, hides the child with the herdsman of the wonderful cow Barmayeh. When rumor spreads, she carries him to a holy man on Mount Alborz. Zahhak kills the cow and burns their house.

A5.3.15
When Faranak, his wise and faithful wife,Beheld the ruin of her husband’s life,
A5.3.26
The tale of that rare cow had reached the king,And Faranak felt dread’s returning sting.

Faranak named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

A5.5

Zahhak and Kaveh the Blacksmith

Zahhak makes his nobles sign a testament to his justice. Kaveh the blacksmith, whose sons have been taken for the serpents, bursts in, tears up the document and raises his leather apron on a spear as a banner. Fereydoon adorns it as the Kaviani standard and has the ox-headed gorz forged.

A5.5.78
He placed the Kay cap firmly on his head,Then sought his mother, Faranak, and said:
A5.5.81
Tears from Faranak’s lashes fell like rain;Her heart ran blood with mingled fear and pain.

Faranak named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

A6.1

Fereydoon Gains the Throne

Fereydoon takes the throne on the first day of Mehr and founds the feast of Mehrgan, then reigns justly for five centuries. His mother Faranak gives thanks with secret alms and sends him royal gifts, and he tours his lands before settling at Kus.