Fravahar
This is the picture of a
Fravahar, the winged disc with a man's upper body that is commonly used
as a symbol of the Zoroastrian faith or a guardian soul. Literally translated
it means "Forward pulling force".
The word "faravahar"
actually is Pahlavi, or Middle Persian. It derives from ancient Iranian
(Avestan) word fravarane which means "I choose." The choice
is that of the Good, or the Good philosophy of Zarathushtra. Another
related word is fravarti or fravashi, which may derive from an another
meaning "protect," implying the divine protection of the guardian
spirit, the fravashi. From these words came the later Middle Persian
words fravahr or faravahar.
Its symbolism and philosophical
meaning is from an ancient heritage and each of its parts signifies
an idea or a philosophy. Below is some of the more common interpretations
of the symbol, although there are many variations.
1. The figure inside
is that of an old man, representing wisdom of age.
2. There are two wings in
two sides of the picture, which have three main feathers. These main
feathers indicate three symbols of "good thoughts, 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 deeds" 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. The ring in the center symbolizes the eternity of universe or the
eternal nature of the soul. As a circle, it has no beginning and no
end.
6. One of the hands points upwards, telling us that there is only one
direction we should choose.
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. This means when a Zoroastrian gives
a promise, it is like a ring. It cannot be broken.
In zoroastrianism, the Faravahar or human spirit, embodies two opposing
indicators of good and bad. This will clearly show the Zarathustra's
philosophy that everybody should try to promote his/her Sepanta Minu
(positive force) and suppress his/her Ankareh Minu (negative force).
As a result of such a spiritual struggle toward goodness and avoiding
evil, everybody will be able to thrive in all the walks of his/her life.
Since, the ring of covenant
which located in the center of the Faravahar's trunk is the symbol of
the immortality of the spirit, it can be inferred that more human beings
try to promote their own Faravahar, more their spirit will be elevated
in the other world after they pass away. For that reason, ancient Iranians
would never mourn at the death of their beloved ones, because they would
believe that their spirit will be elevated to a higher level in the
other world. Naturally, when we believe that at the time of death, the
spirit of the dead bodies would be elevated to a higher level, we have
to joy at their departure to another world, rather than being heartbroken,
though their loss may be intolerable for us. In this way, in Zoroastrianism,
on the basis of one's Faravahar, everybody is responsible for his/her
own deed.
For this reason, Cyrus the
Great and most of the other Iranian ancient kings, according to historical
documents, not only never forced anybody to be converted into Zoroastrianism,
they even respected the belief system of others. In this regard, the
Human right's Charter of Cyrus the Great at the conquest of Babel reads:
"I ordered that no one is permitted to abuse anybody or to damage
the cities. I ordered that no house should be damaged and no one's property
should be violated and ransacked. I ordered that everybody should keep
to his/her belief system and be free to worship his/her own God. I ordered
that all the people should be free in their thoughts, choosing the place
of their residence and no one should violate the rights of others."
The tail (which is not mentioned in the other interpretations) is the
"rudder" of the soul, for balance between the forces of Good
and Evil. There are three layers of feathers in the tail, which stand
for the Threefold Path of Good Thoughts, Words, and Deeds. Good or evil
deeds have their consequences, which "come around" to the
person who acts morally or immorally. Thus the circle denotes moral
returns.
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