The Persian Falcon Explained
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The Persian Falcon Explained
The Shahdad Standard, also known as the Derafsh Shahdad, is a bronze artifact excavated in Shahdad, Kerman, Iran.
The most historic and ancient standards, flags or symbols discovered in the history of the world till the present day.
Its significance is that it is believed to be one of the oldest known flags or standards in the history of mankind, dating back to around 2400 BCE.
The standard is a rectangular plate of bronze with five figures: a seated goddess, a snake, a kneeling man, a scorpion, and a bird of prey; The Persian Falcon Origins. The meaning of the figures is uncertain, but they are believed to represent deities or symbols of power and authority.
The Shahdad Standard is a significant archaeological find that provides valuable insight into the early history of Persia and the world. It is a testament to the creativity and artistic skills of the ancient people of Shahdad and their belief in the power of symbols and their imagination.
The Royal Falcon
For centuries, the Shahbaz(Bird), a Royal Falcon, has symbolised strength, power, speed, and agility in Persian culture. Throughout history, Persian empires, including the Achaemenid and Sassanian empires, used it as a standard.
Shahbaz is the name of a fabled bird in Persian mythology. It is described as having a body similar to an eagle/falcon and having inhabited an area within the Zagros, the Alborz mountain ranges and the Caucasus within Greater Iran. In ancient Persian mythology, the Shahbaz was a god who helped the Iranian peoples and guided the Faravahar to the Iranian lands.
The word “Shahbaz” literally translates to "Royal Falcon". It was standard practice for the Persian Shah(King) to keep a royal falcon or another bird of prey. This symbol represented both strength, power and vision.
Royal Falcon with original red and yellow pattern is also known as “The standard of Cyrus the Great” or “the Achaemenid Standard”. Cyrus the Great founded the Achaemenid Empire—the first organised empire in the world. Cyrus is also known for the first human rights charter called “The Cyrus Cylinder”.