The symbol of “Fravahr” and it’s evolution

Achaemenian art is known and famous for its mixture of art and culture from other civilizations that have existed before or within itself. In a way that, many consider this important as the main feature of the art of this period. In Achaemenid era, we come across some artistic elements such as symbols and signs that have reached Iran from the previous civilizations and neighboring tribes and nations of the Achaemenids, due to their interactions with each other. These symbols and signs can be found in places of prominent buildings, relief patterns, Seals and utensils of the Achaemenid era. One of the most important symbols that have been used in the art of this period, is the role of “Fravahr” or the winged disk (winged sun) which has been used in two different forms, sometimes as a winged statue with a human face and body, and sometimes only as a winged disk. In this research, first of all we try to understand the meaning and concept of “Fravahr” and its main components, as well as the purpose of using it as a symbol, in the art of ancient times and Achaemenian period, to examine the various interpretations, the background and evolution of this symbol until the time that it reaches the land of Iran. Due to this purpose, by studying the existing samples of the symbol of “Fravahr” in achaemenid era, many of which that are kept in museums today, and with the help of researches done by experts in this field, we survey the appearance and concept of use in this symbol in Achaemenid period in Iran civilization