Faravahar

Today I wanted to wanted to tell you a bit about this ancient Iranian symbol. It fascinated my for quite a while now, but I really can't remember were I saw it the first time. So I thought it's about time to do some research and write about my findings.

Faravahar

Faravahar is one of the best-known symbols of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Iranian religion and a religious philosophy, which was once the state religion of the Achaemenid Empire and Sassanid Empire. You should be familiar with this two names if you think back of your history class. (Maybe in connection with Alexander the Great you can remember...) The number of Zoroastrians today is estimated to be between 145,000 and 210,000. The ideas of Zoroastrianism has also influenced other religions including Judaism, Gnosticism, Christianity and Islam.


The following is what I found about the meaning of this ancient symbol:

Symbol of Faravahar

1. The Faravahar’s face resembles the face of human being and therefore, indicates its connection to mankind.
2. There are two wings in two sides of the picture, which have three main feathers. These main feathers indicate three symbols of good reflection, good words, and good deed, which are at the same time the motive of flight and advancement.
3. The lower part of the Faravahar consists of three parts, representing bad reflection, bad words, and bad deed which causes misery and misfortune for human beings.
4. There are two loops at the two sides of the Faravahar, which represent Sepanta Minu, and Ankareh Minu. The former is directed toward the face and the latter is located at the back. This also indicates that we have to proceed toward the good and turn away from bad.
5. There is a circle in the middle of the Faravahar’s trunk. This symbol indicates that our spirit is immortal, having neither a beginning, nor an end.
6. One hand of the Faravahar, points upwards, showing that we have to struggle to thrive.
7. The other hand holds a ring. Some interpreters consider that as the ring of covenant, representing loyalty and faithfulness which is the basis of Zarathustra’s philosophy.

---

The Faravahar is a symbol of the human spirit, which existed before birth and continues to exist after death (symbolized by ring in the trunk) and it is a symbol which embodies the two opposing indicators of good and bad. In the philosophy of Zarathustra everybody should try to promote his/her Sepanta Minu, which is the positive force, and suppress his/her negative force, Ankareh Minu.

Zoroastrians believe that after they pass away, their spirit will be elevated in a higher level in the other world. Therefore, ancient Iraniens would never mourn when their beloved ones died.

There is also a stone carved Faravahar in the ancient city of Persepolis, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Since I really like Ancient History I consider this ancient symbols quite interesting and I hope that I also caught your interest a bit.

Sources:

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faravahar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faravahar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism
http://www.iransara.info/Iran%20Faravahar%20Zartosht%20Farvahar%20fravahar.htm
http://www.gatha.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=277&Itemid=62&lang=en