Faravahar

Faravahar
http://www.crystalinks.com/faravahar.html

Zoroastrianism
http://saidarshan.org/baba/index.html

[Extracted from Bhagavn Baba's Discourses]

Zoroastrianism, the Parsi religion was founded by Zoraster, who wanted that man should always have the fire of wisdom blazing in his consciousness so that evil thoughts and tendencies might be reduced to ashes. It has to infuse all thoughts, words and deeds with the illumination of virtue and vigor. It must destroy all worldly desire and render man pure for entry into the heaven of freedom. Adoration, meditation and acts of selfless service are essential for the dawn of enlightenment. The religion of Parsis consider the highest Truth as "I am the Light" and "The Light is in me".

They are called Fire worshippers. Agni is a symbol of purity. Zoroastrians worship the sun who stands for illumination and purity. They must follow four purities - pure thoughts, pure words, pure deeds and pure chastity.

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Faravahar or Farohar
http://www.crystalinks.com/faravahar.html

"-The Faravahar or Farohar 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 to remind one of the purpose of life on this Earth, which is to live in such a way that the soul progresses spiritually and attains union with Ahura-Mazda (the Wise Lord); this state is called Frasho-kereti in Avesta.

-The Fravahar's face resembles the face of human being and therefore, indicates its connection to mankind. There are two wings 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.

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.

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.

The circle in the middle of the Fravahar's trunk indicates that our spirit is immortal, having neither a beginning nor an end.

One hand of the Fravahar points upwards, showing that we have to struggle to thrive.

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 ....

-A sample of such an interpretation can be found in the book "Message of Zarathushtra" by the Iranian mobed (priest) Bahram Shahzadi, who presides at the California Zoroastrian Center in Los Angeles. This book is meant for middle-school children, but is read by people of all ages. In a short chapter called "What is Fravahar?" Shahzadi enumerates the symbolism of the various parts of the design. The bearded old man springing out of the central disc symbolizes the human soul.

His upper hand is extended in a blessing, pointing upward to keep us in mind of higher things and the path to heaven. The other hand holds a ring, which is the ring of promise: it reminds a Zoroastrian always to keep one's promises. There are three layers of feathers in the wings, and these three layers stand for the Threefold Path of Zoroastrianism: good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. The central disc, which as a circle has no end, symbolizes eternity.

The two streamers extending out from the central disc symbolize the two choices, or paths, that face human beings: the choice of good or the choice of evil. The streamers thus illustrate the ethical dualism taught by Zarathushtra.

Another folk interpretation of the Faravahar comes from an educated Zoroastrian layman. Some of his descriptions are the same as those in the Shahzadi book, but he adds more details. The open wings, as in Shahzadi's book, represent the Threefold Path. But the closed skirt of the human figure within the disc represents evil choices, divided into three layers: bad thoughts, words, and deeds. The circle at the waist of the figure represents not the Sun nor Eternity, but the law of consequences which is comprised in the divine ASHA, the Zoroastrian concept of the divinely created order of the universe. Good or evil deeds have their consequences, which "come around" to the person who acts morally or immorally. Thus the circle denotes moral returns according to ASHA.

Yet another interpretation of the Achaemenid design comes from an esoteric point of view. There are some Zoroastrians who are influenced by Theosophy, an eclectic esoteric movement of the nineteenth century. These have added Hindu and Buddhist esoteric ideas to Zoroastrianism, such as reincarnation, karma, and astral planes. For these believers, the Faravahar is a symbol of the soul's progression through many lives.

The head of the man reminds one of God-given free will. The ring held in the man's hand symbolizes the cycles of rebirths on this earth and in other planes of reality. The central circle represents the soul; the two wings are the energies that help the soul to evolve and progress.

In this interpretation, there are five layers of feathers in the wings (a particularly elaborate version of the Persepolis emblem) and these five layers signify the five Gatha hymns of the Prophet, the five divisions of the Zoroastrian day, the five senses, and also five esoteric stages that the soul must pass through on its way to God.

As in the other explanations, the two streamers represent the two choices before human beings, the Good Mentality and the Evil Mentality. 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 The Faravahar has flown a long way since it first saw the light in ancient Egypt. The winged sun-disc has shone its grace down upon divinely gifted kings, and it has spread its wings as protector of the glory of Iran.

After millennia of obscurity, the symbol of the holy and radiant khvarenah again shines clearly. As world communications become ever more elaborate and widespread, the Faravahar has entered into a wider world. It has flown free from the walls of Persepolis and now shines among new peoples on new continents. It is now found on computer screens instead of ancient carved stones. Let us hope that the Faravahar, with its universal meaning of light, wisdom, righteousness, and God's grace can take its place among the great symbols of spirit, to inspire people all over the Earth."