New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Ferdowsiفردوسی

fer-dow-SEE

Abul-Qasim Ferdowsi of Tus (c. 940–1020), author of the Shahnameh.

In the poem
First at C6.1, Ferdowsi’s Dream of Daqiqi; last at E11, The Epilogue
Named
2 times, in 2 sections
Main stories
C6 Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp (1); E11 The Epilogue (1)
Pictures
9 panels · identity sheets

How we draw Ferdowsi

The identity sheets the illustrator works from, one for each stage of life. Tap to open full size. More in the Art section.
Ferdowsi, identity sheet: Mature poet (~35–55)
Mature poet (~35–55)
Ferdowsi, identity sheet: Old poet (58–80)
Old poet (58–80)

In the pictures

Ferdowsi in 9 woodcut panels of the illustrated poem, in story order. Tap one to see it with the couplets it illustrates.
The Friend Brings the Pahlavi BookA0.10The Friend Brings the Pahlavi BookAbu Mansur Offers His PatronageA0.11Abu Mansur Offers His PatronageThe Dream of the Turquoise ThroneA0.12The Dream of the Turquoise ThroneThe Poet Wakes in the NightA0.12The Poet Wakes in the NightThe Poet's Night of Lamps and WineC2.1The Poet's Night of Lamps and WineA Palace Built of SongC4.1A Palace Built of SongDaqiqi Appears in Ferdowsi's DreamC6.1Daqiqi Appears in Ferdowsi's DreamThe Poet Mourns His SonE6.31The Poet Mourns His SonThe Aged Poet Seals His BookE11The Aged Poet Seals His Book

In the poem’s own words

The 2 sections that name Ferdowsi most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Ferdowsi. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
C6.1

Ferdowsi’s Dream of Daqiqi

Ferdowsi dreams of wine like rosewater in his cup, and of Daqiqi, who praises Mahmud, wishes him long years, and asks that his own thousand couplets on Goshtasb and Arjasp be kept in the book. The poet wakes and gives them, noting that Daqiqi is dust.

  • C6.1.3
    He called, “Ferdowsi, when you drink, be trueTo Kay Kavus’s custom in all you do.
Ferdowsi named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E11

The Epilogue

Ferdowsi accounts for thirty-five years of work: copies taken without payment, a few men who helped him, a ruler whose hand stayed shut. He ends the tale of Yazdegard on the day of Ard in the year four hundred, dedicates the book to Mahmud, and declares he will not die.

  • E11.32
    The Shahnameh of Ferdowsi is ended.
Ferdowsi named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

On the maps

Story maps that show Ferdowsi or tell a part of the story that names Ferdowsi.
E11The Completion of the Shahnameh

Where he appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
C6Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp1E11The Epilogue1

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