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According to tradition, “Faravahar,”
is the symbol of Zoroastrianism.
Briefly, it can be said that “Fravahar,” is the spirit of human being that
had been existed before his/her birth and will continue to exist after
his/her death. It is important to know that “Fravahar,” should not be
confused or replaced by creator or Ahura Mazda.
Explanation of
the Fravahar Symbol :
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The Fravahar’s face
resembles the face of human being and therefore, indicates its
connection to mankind.
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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.
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The lower part of the
Fravahar consists of three parts, representing “bad reflection,” “bad
words,” and “bad deed” which causes misery and misfortune for human
beings.
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There are two loops at the
two sides of the Fravahar, which represent “Sepanta Minu,” and “Angra
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.
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There is a circle in the
middle of the Fravahar’s trunk. This symbol indicates that our spirit
is immortal, having neither a beginning nor an end.
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One hand of the Fravahar points upwards, showing
that we have to struggle to thrive.
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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.
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zoroastrianism, the Fravahar or human spirit, embodies two opposing
indicators of good and bad. This will clearly show Zarathustra’s
philosophy that everybody should try to promote his/her Sepanta Minu
(positive force) and suppress his/her Angra 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
Fravahar’s trunk is the symbol of the immortality of the spirit, it
can be inferred that more human beings try to promote their own
Fravahar, more their spirit will be elevated in the other world after
they pass away. |
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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 Fravahar, everybody is responsible for
his/her own deed. |
