The Faravahar: The Ancient Zoroastrian Symbol of Iran

The Faravahar is arguably the best-known symbol of the Persian Zoroastrian faith. This symbol consists of a winged disc with a man emerging from it. The man is shown holding a ring. Whilst the symbol is well known, the meaning behind it is more complicated. The Faravahar was adopted as a secular symbol to represent the modern nation of Iran.

‘Faravahar’ is a Pahlavi (known also as Middle Persian) word and is said to be derived from the Avestan word (the language of the Avesta, the Zoroastrian scripture) “fravarane,” which translates to mean “I choose.” Alternatively, it has been suggested that the name of this symbol is connected to the Old Persian word “fravarti” or “fravashi,” meaning “to protect.” The former implies the choice one makes to follow the teachings of Zoroastrianism, whereas the latter implies the divine protection of a guardian spirit. Incidentally, the name “Faravahar” was given to the symbol in more recent times, and it is unclear as to how the ancient Persians referred to this symbol.

Stone carved Faravahar in Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, located in modern-day Iran. (Napishtim / CC BY-SA 3.0)