
It suggests avoiding bad choices and staying away from the wrong path which can bring misfortune and misery to humans Their meaning is completely opposite to that of the wings, representing ‘ bad reflections, bad words and bad deeds’.

Wisdom of Age: the male figure in the Faravahar is said to be that of an old man who reminds one that the elderly can be good guides.Simply put, the message given by the Faravahar is that if you behave well and lead a humble life here on Earth, you will be compensated for it with a good life after death.Įach element of the Faravahar has its own special meaning, so let’s take a look at the significance of this symbol in a little more detail.

The symbol also represents life after death. It’s also said to represent a Fravashi (a guardian angel) which is what gave it its name. See it here.Īlthough the Faravahar was famous in ancient Persia, what it meant to the Persians is still unknown and remains a mystery to this day.Īccording to Zoroaster, a great Iranian philosopher and the founder of Zoroastrianism, the Faravahar represents his principles of ‘Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds’. Faravahar Meaning The artist’s depiction of the Faravahar principles. It can also be seen on older school and bank buildings in Iran which are carefully preserved to this day. The Faravahar symbol can still be seen on many ancient Iranian standing sites like the Yazd Atashkadeh, the Tomb of Ferdowsi, and Persepolis. After the Achaemenian dynasty, the use of the Faravahar in Persian architecture and art declined, regaining popularity once again in the modern era. The Farvahar first appeared in Persia during the Achaemenid Persian Empire. In fact, it’s believed to have originated in Mesopotamia as a depiction of Ashur, a winged deity, that may have symbolized divine kingship. It’s a highly detailed and intricate representation of the winged sun disk, one of the most ancient symbols found in art, architecture and seals from ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Sumer, Judah and Assyria.Īlthough the Faravahar is a Persian symbol, it’s neither Zoroastrian nor Persian in origin. The Faravahar is a symbol that’s comprised of a sun disk with wings spread out on either side, and a seated male figure at the center, most commonly seen in ancient Persian art and architecture. In this article, we’ll be taking a quick look at the symbol of the Faravahar, its meaning and the various interpretations of its symbolism. The symbol has existed since ancient times and remains one of the most important national and cultural symbols of Persia (modern day Iran).

The Faravahar, also known as Farr-e Kiyani or Forouhar, is one of the best-known ancient symbols of Zoroastrianism.
