Motif
Bad omen at the start of an expedition
bad_omen_at_the_start_of_an_expedition
A motif of the Prophecy and Systematic Divination family. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.
1 occurrences
1 traditions
persian
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Persian Literature, Volume 1 LOHURSP / GUSHTSP, AND THE FAITH OF ZERDUSHT / THE HEFT-KHAN OF ISFENDIYR / CAPTURE OF THE BRAZEN FORTRESS; lines 12494-12588 confidence: high
Isfendiyr takes leave of the king and marches toward Sstn with a vast army and treasure. A camel in advance lies down and cannot be raised; he orders it killed. The people interpret this as a bad omen and wish him not to proceed, but he continues.
The advance camel refuses to rise, is killed, and the people interpret the event as a bad omen advising Isfendiyr not to proceed.
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