{{Short description|Zoroastrian symbol}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}} {{Use Oxford English|date=May 2021}} [[File:Faravahar-Gold.svg|thumb|Rendition of the Faravahar, as imagined since the Median Kingdom]] {{Contain special characters|fix=Help:Multilingual_support#Avestan|characters=Avestan characters|image=AVESTAN LETTER A.svg|alt=Avestan letter A|special=Avestan characters}} {{Zoroastrianism sidebar}}
The '''Farāvahār''' ({{langx|ae|{{script|Avst|𐬟𐬀𐬭𐬎𐬎𐬀𐬵𐬀𐬭𐬀}}}}; {{langx|fa|فَرْوَهَر}}), also called the '''Foruhār''' ({{Langx|fa|فروهر|label=none}}) or the '''Fārre Kiyâni''' ({{langx|fa|فرّ کیانی|label=none}}),<ref>book_rahnamaye_TakhteJamshid. Author: Shahpoor Shahbazi</ref> is one of the most prominent symbols of Zoroastrianism. There is no universal consensus on what it means or stands for, as a variety of interpretations exist. The most common belief is that it depicts the {{Transliteration|ae|fravaṣ̌i}} ({{langx|ae|{{script|Avst|𐬟𐬭𐬀𐬎𐬎𐬀𐬴𐬌}}|label=none}}), which is the Zoroastrian concept of one's personal spirit.{{sfn|Boyce|2000|pp=195–199}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/fravasi-|title=FRAVAŠI – Encyclopaedia Iranica|website=www.iranicaonline.org|access-date=2020-04-04}}</ref>
Rooted in ancient Near Eastern tradition, the Faravahar was especially prevalent in the Achaemenid Empire, correspondingly appearing in many works of Achaemenid architecture. Although it was originally religious in nature, it has also become a secular and cultural symbol among Iranian peoples (mostly Persians and Kurds, as well as secular and cultural Zoroastrians), having been popularized in this capacity after the Muslim conquest of Persia and the subsequent fall of Sasanian Empire.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2011/12/diaspora-the-identity-necklace-being-iranian-in-britain.html|title=Europe {{!}} The Identity Necklace: Being Iranian in Britain|website=FRONTLINE - Tehran Bureau|language=en|access-date=2020-04-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Szanto|first=Edith|date=2018-05-15|title="Zoroaster was a Kurd!": Neo-Zoroastrianism among the Iraqi Kurds|url=https://brill.com/view/journals/ic/22/1/article-p96_8.xml|journal=Iran and the Caucasus|language=en|volume=22|issue=1|pages=96–110|doi=10.1163/1573384X-20180108|issn=1573-384X|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
More recently, the Faravahar and other aspects of the Zoroastrian religion were at the forefront of a campaign by the Pahlavi dynasty to revive the pre-Islamic Iranian identity. Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, it has remained a common and popular symbol among the Iranian community, particularly the diaspora.
==Etymology== The New Persian word {{lang|fa|فروهر}} is read as ''foruhar'' or ''faravahar'' (pronounced as ''furōhar'' or ''furūhar'' in Classical Persian). The Middle Persian forms were ''frawahr'' (Book Pahlavi: plwʾhl, Manichaean: prwhr), ''frōhar'' (recorded in Pazend as {{lang|pal-Avst|𐬟𐬭𐬋𐬵𐬀𐬭}}; it is a later form of the previous form), and ''fraward'' (Book Pahlavi: plwlt', Manichaean: frwrd), which was directly from Old Persian ''*fravarti-''.{{sfn|Boyce|2000|pp=195–199}}<ref>{{cite book|last=MacKenzie|first=David Neil|title=A Concise Pahlavi Dictionary|date=1986|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=London|isbn=0-19-713559-5|author-link=David Neil MacKenzie}}</ref> The Avestan language form was {{transl|ae|frauuaṣ̌i}} ({{lang|ae|𐬟𐬭𐬀𐬎𐬎𐬀𐬴𐬌}}).
==History== [[File:Wall relief depicting the God Ashur (Assur) from Nimrud..JPG|thumb|left|Relief depicting Assur framed in a winged disk, located at the North-West Palace of Ashurnasirpal II in the city of Nimrud ({{Circa|865–850 BCE}})]]
=== Ancient Near Eastern religion === 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 Assur on a winged disk.<ref>{{cite journal| last1 = Parpola| first1 = Simo| date = July 1993| title = The Assyrian Tree of Life: Tracing the Origins of Jewish Monotheism and Greek Philosophy| url = http://www.atour.com/education/pdf/SimoParpola-TheAssyrianTreeOfLife.pdf| journal = The University of Chicago Press| volume = 52| issue = 3| pages = 161–208| access-date = November 4, 2020}}</ref>
=== Zoroastrian tradition === [[File:Ahura Mazda on Vādfradād (Autophradates) I.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|right|Engraved coin depicting the Faravahar, minted under Vadfradad I of Persis (2nd century BCE)]] [[File:Persepolis - carved Faravahar.JPG|thumb|Relief depicting the Faravahar in the city of Persepolis, which served as the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire]] The faravahar was depicted on the tombs of Achaemenid kings, such as Darius the Great ({{reign|522|486|era=BC}}) and Artaxerxes III ({{reign|358|338|era=BC}}).{{sfn|Olbrycht|2016|p=93}} 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.{{sfn|Olbrycht|2016|p=94}} 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ferdowsi-iii|title=FERDOWSI, ABU'L-QĀSEM iii. MAUSOLEUM – Encyclopaedia Iranica|website=www.iranicaonline.org|access-date=2019-07-14}}</ref>
Whilst being used by both Zoroastrians and Iranians, the symbol is originally neither Zoroastrian nor Iranian nor Persian in its origin. It originates as a Mesopotamian Assyrian depiction of the winged deity Assur. After the Achaemenian dynasty, the image of the faravahar was not yet present in much of 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|date=October 2020}} over 2000 years later,{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} that the symbol re-emerged thanks to the work of Parsi scholar, Jamshedji Maneckji Unvala, who published two articles in 1925 and 1930.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Unvala |first=Jamshedji Maneckji |title=The winged disk and the winged human figure on ancient Persian monuments |date=c. 1900 |publisher=s.n|oclc=982616419}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Eduljee, K. E.|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/891516152|title=Farohar / Fravahar motif: what does it represent? use of icons & symbols in Zoroastrism|date=2013|publisher=[Verlag nicht ermittelbar]|oclc=891516152}}</ref>
Unvala's work was disputed 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Taraporewala |first=Irach Jehangir Sorabji |title=The religion of Zarathushtra|date=2006|publisher=Jain Pub. Co|isbn=978-0-87573-092-9|oclc=154674597}}</ref><ref name="Boyce1982">{{Cite book|last=Boyce |first=Mary |year=1982 |title=A History of Zoroastrianism |volume=II: ''Under the Achaemenians'' |publisher=BRILL |isbn=9789004293908 |pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=AOh5DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA104 104–]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/ShahbaziA.S.1974AnAchaemenidSymbolIAFarewellToFravahrAndAhuramazda.AMI7135144|title=Shahbazi, A. S. 1974 An Achaemenid Symbol, I A Farewell To ' Fravahr' And ' Ahuramazda.' AMI 7 135 144|language=en}}</ref>
=== Modern pan-Iranian usage === The Sun Throne, the imperial seat of Iran, has visual implications of the ''Faravahar''. 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/kerman-13-zoroastrians|title=ZOROASTRIANS OF 19TH-CENTURY YAZD AND KERMAN – Encyclopaedia Iranica|website=www.iranicaonline.org|access-date=2019-07-14}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=What Does the Winged Symbol of Zoroastrianism Mean?|newspaper=About.com Religion & Spirituality|url=http://altreligion.about.com/od/symbols/a/faravahar.htm|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=19 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419052223/http://altreligion.about.com/od/symbols/a/faravahar.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Another popular interpretation is that it is a visual representation of a Fravashi, though Fravashis are described in Zoroastrian literature as being feminine.{{sfn|Boyce|2000|pp=195–199}} 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.{{sfn|Boyce|2000|pp=195–199}} 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.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Gender and sexual anxieties of Iranian Modernity|last=Najmabadi|first=Afsaneh|publisher=University of California Press|year=2005|isbn=0-520-24262-9}}</ref> 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 Assur, Shamash, and other deities.<ref name=":0" />
== Lion and Faravahar == Lion appears on most of the coins issued by the Persian satrap of Cilicia, Mazaeus (see [https://en.numista.com/catalogue/index.php?r=Mazaeus coins on the Numista website]). However, there is one coin of particular interest that depicts a lion and a Faravahar.<ref>[https://en.numista.com/413566](https://en.numista.com/413566)</ref>
== Tiribazus coins == Tiribazus Persian satrap of Armenia minted coins with Faravahar symbol. (see [https://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=21177 coin 1], [https://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=20961 coin 2], [https://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=25735 coin 3])
== Gallery == {{gallery |Achaemenid cylinder seal showing 2 scenes. An Achaemenid king before 2 sphinxes (below god Ahura Mazda). Supernatural creature fighting 2 ibexes. 6th-4th century BCE. From Hillah, Iraq. British Museum (cropped).jpg|Achaemenid cylinder seal from the city of Hillah|File:Zoroastrianism Tomb Sulaymaniyah province 21.JPG|Zoroastrian tomb (Qyzqapan) in Shahrizor|File:Farvahar.JPG|Stone-carved pillar in the city of Persepolis|File:Darius I the Great's inscription.jpg|The Behistun Inscription of Darius the Great|File:Froohar.jpg|Top of the Tomb of Ferdowsi in the city of Mashhad|File:Nationalbankofiranshowingfarohar1946.jpg|Entrance of the National Bank of Iran in the city of Tehran (1946)|File:Faravahar on Fire Temple, Yazd.jpg|Top of the Fire Temple of Yazd|File:Imperial Coat of Arms of Iran.svg|Coat of Arms of the Imperial State of Iran, prior to the Islamic Revolution of 1979|File:Farvahar001.JPG|Stone-carved artifact in the city of Persepolis|File:Museum of Zoroastrians - Kerman.jpg|Museum of Zoroastrians at the Fire Temple of Kerman |File:Stele Darius Shaluf Menant.png|The Suez Inscriptions at the Canal of the Pharaohs in Wadi Tumilat, written by Darius the Great in Persian, Elamite, Akkadian, and Egyptian|File:Persepolis The Persian Soldiers.jpg|Stone-carved wall depicting Persians and Medes of the Achaemenid army under the Faravahar at the Apadana Hall in the city of Persepolis}}
== See also == * Shahbaz (bird)
== Citations == {{reflist|2}}
== General and cited sources == {{Refbegin}} * {{Cite encyclopedia |last=Boyce |first=M. |author-link=Mary Boyce |year=2000 |title=Fravaši |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/fravasi- |encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica |volume=X, Fasc. 2 |pages=195–199}} * {{Cite journal |last1=Curtis |first1=Vesta Sarkhosh |date=2007 |title=Religious iconography on ancient Iranian coins |url=https://www.academia.edu/6186849 |url-access=registration |location=London |journal=Journal of Late Antiquity |pages=413–434}} * {{Cite journal |last=Olbrycht |first=Marek Jan |date=2016 |title=The Sacral Kingship of the early Arsacids. I. Fire Cult and Kingly Glory |url=https://www.academia.edu/33754166 |url-access=registration |journal=Anabasis. Studia Classica et Orientalia |pages=91–106}} {{Refend}}
== External links == * {{commons category-inline}}
{{National symbols of Iran}}
Category:Kurdish mythology Category:National symbols of Iran Category:Persian words and phrases Category:Zoroastrian symbols