The Farvahar (
Persian: فَرْوَهَر,
avestan: 𐬟𐬀𐬭𐬎𐬎𐬀𐬵𐬀𐬭𐬀, also known as the Foruhar (فروهر) or the Farre Kiyâni[1] (فر کیانی), is one of the best-known symbols of
Zoroastrianism, an
Iranian religion. There are various interpretations of what the Faravahar symbolizes, and there is no concrete universal consensus on its meaning. However, it is commonly believed that the Faravahar serves as a Zoroastrian depiction of the fravashi, or personal spirit.[2][3]
The Faravahar is one of the best-known and most used pre-
Islamic symbols of
Iran and is often worn as a pendant. Despite its traditionally religious nature, it has become a
secular and cultural symbol for Iranians.[4][5]
The pre-Zoroastrian use of the symbol originates as the
winged sun used by various powers of the
Ancient Near East, primarily those of
Ancient Egypt and
Mesopotamia. The Zoroastrian adoption of the symbol comes from its prevalence in
Neo-Assyrian iconography. This Assyrian image often includes their
Tree of Life, which includes the god
Ashur on a winged disk.[7]
In Zoroastrian culture
The faravahar was depicted on the tombs of Achaemenid kings, such as
Darius the Great (
r. 522–486 BC) and
Artaxerxes III (
r. 358–338 BC).[8] The symbol was also used on some of the coin mints of the frataraka of
Persis in the late 3rd and early 2nd BC centuries.[9] Even after the
Arab conquest of Iran,
Zoroastrianism continued to be part of Iranian culture. Throughout the year, festivities are celebrated such as
Nowruz,
Mehregan, and
Chaharshanbe Suri which relate to
Zoroastrian festivals and
calendar. These are remnants of Zoroastrian traditions. From the start of the 20th century, the faravahar icon found itself in public places and became a known icon among Iranians. The
Shahnameh by
Ferdowsi is Iran's national epic and contains stories (partly historical and partly mythical) from
pre-Islamic Zoroastrian times. The
tomb of Ferdowsi (built early 1930), which is visited by numerous Iranians every year, contains the faravahar icon as well.[10]
Whilst being used by both modern day Zoroastrians and Persians, it is important to note the symbol is neither Zoroastrian nor Persian in its origin. It originates as a
MesopotamianAssyrian depiction of the wing deity
Ashur. After the
Achaemenian dynasty, the image of the farohar was no longer[citation needed] present in Persian art or architecture. The
Parthians,
Sassanians and
Islamic kings that followed did not use the image. It was not until the 20th century,[citation needed] over 2000 years later,[citation needed] that the symbol re-emerged thanks to the work of Parsi scholar, Jamshedji Maneckji Unvala, who published two articles in 1925 and 1930.[11][12]
Unvala's work was discredited by Irach Jehangir Sorabji Taraporewala, who refuted the idea that the winged figure represented
Ahura Mazda. Taraporewala suggested that the figures used in Persian reliefs were meant to depict
khvarenah or royal glory to reflect the perceived divine empowerment of kings, and, therefore, has no true spiritual meaning. This view was later supported by
Alireza Shapour Shahbazi and
Mary Boyce.[13][14][15]
Modern age usage
The
Sun Throne, the imperial seat of Iran, has visual implications of the Farahavar. The sovereign would be seated in the middle of the throne, which is shaped like a platform or bed that is raised from the ground. This religious-cultural symbol was adapted by the
Pahlavi dynasty to represent the Iranian nation.[16] In modern Zoroastrianism, one of the interpretations of the faravahar is that it is a representation of the human soul and its development along with a visual guide of good conduct.[17] Another popular interpretation is that it is a visual representation of a
Fravashi, though Fravashis are described in Zoroastrian literature as being feminine.[2] One of the most prevalent views in academia as to the meaning of the faravahar is that it represents
Khvarenah, the divine power and royal glory.[2] Although there are a number of interpretations of the individual elements of the symbol, most are recent interpretations and there is still debate as to its meaning.
After the
Islamic Revolution of 1979, the
Lion and Sun, which was part of Iran's original national flag, was banned by the government from public places. Nevertheless, faravahar icons were not removed and as a result, the faravahar icon became a national symbol for Iranians, and it became tolerated by the government as opposed to the Lion and Sun.[18] The winged disc has a long history in the art, religion, and culture of the
ancient Near and
Middle East, being about 4000 years old in usage and noted as also symbolizing
Ashur,
Shamash, and other deities.[17]
The Farvahar (
Persian: فَرْوَهَر,
avestan: 𐬟𐬀𐬭𐬎𐬎𐬀𐬵𐬀𐬭𐬀, also known as the Foruhar (فروهر) or the Farre Kiyâni[1] (فر کیانی), is one of the best-known symbols of
Zoroastrianism, an
Iranian religion. There are various interpretations of what the Faravahar symbolizes, and there is no concrete universal consensus on its meaning. However, it is commonly believed that the Faravahar serves as a Zoroastrian depiction of the fravashi, or personal spirit.[2][3]
The Faravahar is one of the best-known and most used pre-
Islamic symbols of
Iran and is often worn as a pendant. Despite its traditionally religious nature, it has become a
secular and cultural symbol for Iranians.[4][5]
The pre-Zoroastrian use of the symbol originates as the
winged sun used by various powers of the
Ancient Near East, primarily those of
Ancient Egypt and
Mesopotamia. The Zoroastrian adoption of the symbol comes from its prevalence in
Neo-Assyrian iconography. This Assyrian image often includes their
Tree of Life, which includes the god
Ashur on a winged disk.[7]
In Zoroastrian culture
The faravahar was depicted on the tombs of Achaemenid kings, such as
Darius the Great (
r. 522–486 BC) and
Artaxerxes III (
r. 358–338 BC).[8] The symbol was also used on some of the coin mints of the frataraka of
Persis in the late 3rd and early 2nd BC centuries.[9] Even after the
Arab conquest of Iran,
Zoroastrianism continued to be part of Iranian culture. Throughout the year, festivities are celebrated such as
Nowruz,
Mehregan, and
Chaharshanbe Suri which relate to
Zoroastrian festivals and
calendar. These are remnants of Zoroastrian traditions. From the start of the 20th century, the faravahar icon found itself in public places and became a known icon among Iranians. The
Shahnameh by
Ferdowsi is Iran's national epic and contains stories (partly historical and partly mythical) from
pre-Islamic Zoroastrian times. The
tomb of Ferdowsi (built early 1930), which is visited by numerous Iranians every year, contains the faravahar icon as well.[10]
Whilst being used by both modern day Zoroastrians and Persians, it is important to note the symbol is neither Zoroastrian nor Persian in its origin. It originates as a
MesopotamianAssyrian depiction of the wing deity
Ashur. After the
Achaemenian dynasty, the image of the farohar was no longer[citation needed] present in Persian art or architecture. The
Parthians,
Sassanians and
Islamic kings that followed did not use the image. It was not until the 20th century,[citation needed] over 2000 years later,[citation needed] that the symbol re-emerged thanks to the work of Parsi scholar, Jamshedji Maneckji Unvala, who published two articles in 1925 and 1930.[11][12]
Unvala's work was discredited by Irach Jehangir Sorabji Taraporewala, who refuted the idea that the winged figure represented
Ahura Mazda. Taraporewala suggested that the figures used in Persian reliefs were meant to depict
khvarenah or royal glory to reflect the perceived divine empowerment of kings, and, therefore, has no true spiritual meaning. This view was later supported by
Alireza Shapour Shahbazi and
Mary Boyce.[13][14][15]
Modern age usage
The
Sun Throne, the imperial seat of Iran, has visual implications of the Farahavar. The sovereign would be seated in the middle of the throne, which is shaped like a platform or bed that is raised from the ground. This religious-cultural symbol was adapted by the
Pahlavi dynasty to represent the Iranian nation.[16] In modern Zoroastrianism, one of the interpretations of the faravahar is that it is a representation of the human soul and its development along with a visual guide of good conduct.[17] Another popular interpretation is that it is a visual representation of a
Fravashi, though Fravashis are described in Zoroastrian literature as being feminine.[2] One of the most prevalent views in academia as to the meaning of the faravahar is that it represents
Khvarenah, the divine power and royal glory.[2] Although there are a number of interpretations of the individual elements of the symbol, most are recent interpretations and there is still debate as to its meaning.
After the
Islamic Revolution of 1979, the
Lion and Sun, which was part of Iran's original national flag, was banned by the government from public places. Nevertheless, faravahar icons were not removed and as a result, the faravahar icon became a national symbol for Iranians, and it became tolerated by the government as opposed to the Lion and Sun.[18] The winged disc has a long history in the art, religion, and culture of the
ancient Near and
Middle East, being about 4000 years old in usage and noted as also symbolizing
Ashur,
Shamash, and other deities.[17]