Symbols are the oldest and most basic methods of expression. A tool that creates meaning in concepts that can otherwise not be expressed. A whole sum symbol encompasses all human aspects; the soul, intellect, and emotions. Symbols are unique elements of human communication that require special characteristics both to send and receive messages. Their main role is in the Fields of literature, art, and popular culture. By getting to know the symbols which are significant and deep elements of our culture we can get a better understanding of the experiences and the hidden layers of the society and then knowledge of that culture.
In order to understand the literature of a country in a more effective way the art, the wisdom, and even the science of a current era, we need to better understand the symbols used in that society. People of every civilization’s past have always had a specific method to communicate with the world around them. The people of the Iranian plateau upon getting acquainted with drawing paintings on pottery from the very beginning used geometric patterns and little by little started to imitate nature and plants and animal motifs to replace the geometric shapes. But this method did not last long either. They tried to depict what they saw around them using simple elements such as plants and animals and humans and whatever they saw. That is how very simple and abstract designs were created. For example, parallel wavy lines depicted water. A checkered triangle on the surface represented a mountain. A square with horizontal vertical or wavy lines represented agricultural land. Designs of animals such as goats, rams, and birds were depicted using a few simple lines. At times the artists of the past focused more on one specific part of the animal especially the horns, which were exaggerated and brought into focus. This emphasis sometimes went so far as to only draw that particular part of the animal.
Two lines of thought can be distinctly followed in these designs. A tale of what the ancient man was telling about his own environment and his situation as well as the story of the bare essentials for his life. For example, when he wanted to talk about hunting he would draw a picture of the carcass of the animal alongside his own picture with a bow and arrow. On the other hand, he expressed his own beliefs, ideas, fears, hopes, and emotional needs. He depicted symbols and signs seeking help from natural forces in continuing his struggle for survival. That is how elements such as the sky, fire, wind, sun, moon, the stars, and many animals who ensured his survival, became sanctified and sacred symbols to him. Each one gaining significant meaning based on the current needs of the human being and the motifs they carried giving rise to a difference in significance of the symbols. From the distant past to the present geometric shapes, plants and animals of the past can be seen in the symbolism of classical arts some of which have gradually disappeared in history and some others can still be seen in different parts of traditional art.
Geometrical symbols:
They contain a more sacred semantic notion compared to the rest of the symbols they convey an abstract idea. Geometric patterns are always seen everywhere. Geometric patterns in their philosophical and symbolic sense are used to affect the soul of the worshiper and strengthen the feeling of oneness in a mosque. The concentric shapes in geometry create a sense of order and harmony by repeating the pattern giving one a sense of order and harmony through repetition. The symbols are based on metric concentric shapes that are ongoing forever which are an image of perfection and based on the fact that they are divided into equal parts they create regular polygons that gradually become beautiful stars that are very aesthetically pleasing to the eye. From the viewpoint of Islamic philosophy, this method of adapting or moving the major proportions of a structure in a circular environment is also incongruence with monotheism strengthening the idea that the beginning and the end of everything is the one true God where all dispersion and multiplicities begin and end.
The circle has always played an important role throughout time. It shows the oneness of human beings with each other and with nature. It has no beginning and no end. For This reason, it has always symbolized time perfection eternity and the movement of the sky continuous and circular as it is with divinity. The circle is the symbol of Mithra, Which is why it would be placed behind sacred figures to show their reverence.
Squares, as well as circles, are among the iconic symbols of the ancient world. Because of its quadrangular nature and stability, the square is a symbol of endurance location taking a stand strong ground and matter. In ancient art, the square is a symbol of Ahura Mazda. It signifies four main directions, The Four Seasons, the four main elements and four different natures. Which triangle is another sacred symbol especially the equilateral triangle which is a symbol of harmony and equal proportions. With its head upwards (Standing on its base) it symbolizes the fire and male gender and if it stands in the opposite direction it’s the symbol of feminine force and is associated with childbirth. Iranians have always attributed great strength and reverence to the sun. Perhaps from the time when human beings talk to a life of agriculture the time when the sun fertilizes the ground cultivated the plants and gave warmth and energy to human beings, they started to worship it. Ever since the fourth millennium BC, the sun has been considered one of the greatest deities on the plateau of Iran. Mankind attributed its existence and its demise to the sun and therefore worshiped it. The importance of the sun and fire was also reflected in the works of art and engraving of the symbols. The symbol was painted and engraved on everything that depended on fire and food. The sun was the symbol of creation, laws of nature, fire, wisdom, and thought it also symbolized enlightenment and life. The rising sun symbolized birth and the setting sun symbolized death. The sun was considered to be one of the most prominent deities in the ancient world and in many cases it symbolize the male deity who ruled the world through sheer force and other Gods ruled the earth on his behalf. The beauty of the sun was drawn and depicted in various ways including the symbol of the cross. As time went by the cruciform blinds were broken at the right angles and became the symbol of the wheel of the sun. The symbol is also known by other names such as Arian Sun, the wheel of love, broken cross, and the swastika and is considered to be one of the oldest motifs of the ancient symbols which has left its effect in the journey of several thousand years in ancient civilizations.
The symbolism of plants
One of the plants’ symbols is the shape of the tree itself. In mythology, this symbol means immortality, the source of life, youth, vitality, and reality. Do you think this time the evergreen cypress tree has been used more prominently forevermore the favorites symbol among the Iranians this tree has always been sacred. Before the advent of Islam, this tree and its significance were rooted in Zoroastrian beliefs. The importance of the cypress tree was so sacred and revered among Iranians that the kings themselves began to plant them by hand. One of the symbolic designs of this tree is the patterns of boteh jeqeh or paisley, known by many people as the more common name of Kashmir the official symbol of Iranians.
The lotus flower is another one of the significant plants used as a symbol due to its remarkable features.
The significance of the mountain goats
goats are among the most significant symbols of ancient Persia. The role of the animal has been so important that we can see the motifs throughout all the civilizations of ancient times. The mountain goat is the national animal of Iran. Goats need plants and the mountains are the sources of plantation; therefore wherever you see a mountain goat jumping up and about you know there is water and plants. That is why goats have been a symbol of abundance and the Goddess of all that grew from the ground. The mountain goat was also a symbol of liberation, freedom, liberty, innocence, agility, power, and fertility because of its characteristics. The antelope symbol was drawn in various ways but often the animal’s tail was stretched out and the horns as well to exaggerate the proportions. Sometimes only the goat’s horns were displayed with a large circular pattern drawn on the dishes to signify the symbol. The importance of the mountain goats: goats are among the most significant symbols of ancient Persia. The role of the animal has been so important that we can see the motifs throughout all the civilizations of ancient times. The mountain goat is the national animal of Iran. Goats need plants and the mountains are the sources of plantation; therefore wherever you see a mountain goat jumping up and about you know there is water and plants. That is why goats have been a symbol of abundance and the Goddess of all that grew from the ground. The mountain goat was also a symbol of liberation, freedom, liberty, innocence, agility, power, and fertility because of its characteristics. The antelope symbol was drawn in various ways but often the animal’s tail was stretched out and the horns as well to exaggerate the proportions. Sometimes only the goat’s horns were displayed with a large circular pattern drawn on the dishes to signify the symbol.
The significance of the ram
The ram is a very powerful and mythical creature and because it was a symbol of fertility and birth in the herd, it has been respected by the people. The ram was also considered one of the animals attributed to the sun.
The significance of the horse
The horse is an animal that has always been praised and respected as a noble and kind breed, and there has always been a magical relationship between the horse and the dead. Horse-shaped utensils were used at funerals. Some tribes put wooden horses in the grave with the dead so that they could carry the souls of the dead to the underworld.
The significance of the leopard
This animal is considered a symbol of the God of Gods or guardians and protectors in ethnic and mythological beliefs due to the spots on its body that resembled the eyeball. The leopard has been a symbol of the beast, war, victory, agility, courage, speed and being of the most predatory nature. In drawing the role of a leopard, the proportions were not observed, in the sense that the tail of the animal was designed to be extremely long and almost twice as long as the body of the animal, and in other places only the design of the body and tail of the animal was sufficient. Due to its body shape, this animal has received more attention from early humans and due to its great physical strength as a wild animal, it has been noticed.
The significance of the lion
In the Achaemenid art and religion, the lion was a symbol of Mitra and in the ritual of love, the lion had a special place. Other than that, the lion is the symbol of Leo and an astronomical sign, and Leo is the house of the sun, and the sun in this tower, which coincides with August and the middle of summer, is extremely warm and radiant, so the lion is a symbol of the sun and in The result was a widely used lion and sun symbolism. In the Achaemenid and Sassanid periods, the shape of a lion was of special importance and to show the power and strength of the king, he was often shown fighting and hunting.
The significance of the bull
One of the famous Iranian animal motifs, especially before Islam, is the bull patterns. The cow has been a symbol of the moon, the earth, procreation, fertility, existence, and creation and blessing. One of the famous images of Persepolis is the attack of a lion on a bull. In this lithograph, the lion symbolizes the sun and the warm seasons of the year, and the bull symbolizes the earth and the spring season. This role represents the equalization of the strength and power of lions and bulls in battle, which is a symbol of the New Year and the vernal equinox, which is equal to the length of night and day, as the length of the day gradually increases.
The significance of fish
Because fish is alive in water, it has been used as a symbol for water itself and rain and freshness and refreshment. Fish was used to represent the sea and water, which were known to be the source of fertility.
Significance of the snake
Due to the slithering shape of the snake while moving, which resembled water waves, the snake was a symbol of groundwater and was therefore admired. In prehistoric symbolism, the relationship between the moon, the bull, and the snake and their connection with the rain, which is always watching the moon tree, can be seen. The horned snake was a well-known symbol of the moon. The snake was also known as the Goddess of fertility.
Bird motifs
These motifs were sometimes a complete imitation and representation of nature and were sometimes briefly and very simply engraved. Sometimes the birds were engraved on a triangle, checkered inside alongside a mountain. The role of seabirds was often drawn on horizontal and vertical wavy lines that symbolized water. Sometimes bird and animal motifs were combined to create new patterns that represented new symbols.
