Qajar and Pahlavi Dynasties Lion and Sun

1 qajar , pahlavi dynasties

1.1 islamic-iranian interpretation
1.2 nationalistic interpretation
1.3 order of lion , sun
1.4 substantial changes in motif
1.5 after persian constitutional revolution

qajar , pahlavi dynasties
islamic-iranian interpretation

the earliest known qajar lion , sun symbol on coinage of aqa mohammad shah qajar, minted in 1796 on occasion of shah s coronation. coin bears name of new king underneath sun , ali (the first shi ite imam) underneath lion s belly. both names invoked , coin suggest motif still stands king (sun) , religion (lion), iranization , imamification of sovereignty . in qajar period emblem can found on jewish marriage certificates (ketubas) , shi ite mourning of muharram banners.

nationalistic interpretation

russo-persian war (1804-1813) - persian troops bearing lion , sun flag

during reign of second qajar shah, fat′h ali shah qajar, observe beginning of shift in political culture safavi concept of rule. islamic component of ruler de-emphasized, if not abounded. shift coincides first archaeological surveys of europeans in iran , re-introduction of past glorious pre-islamic history of iran iranians. fat h ali shah tried affiliate sovereignty glorious years of pre-islamic iran. literary evidence , documents time suggest sun in lion , sun motif symbol of king , metaphor of jamshid. referring rostam, mythical hero of iran in shahnameh, , fact lion symbol of rostam, lion received nationalistic interpretation. lion symbol of heroes of iran ready protect country against enemies. fat h ali shah addresses meanings of signs in 2 of poems:

also:

it during time had sun throne constructed, imperial throne of persia.

the imperial order of lion , sun

in 19th century, european visitors @ qajar court attributed lion , sun remote antiquity, prompted mohammad shah qajar give nationalistic interpretation. in decree published in 1846, stated each sovereign state emblem established, , august state of persia, too, order of lion , sun has been in use, ensign 3 thousand years old—indeed dating before age of zoroaster. , reason currency may have been follows. in religion of zoroaster, sun considered revealer of things , nourisher of universe [...], hence, venerated . followed astrological rationale having selecting selected sun in house of leo emblem of august state of persia. decree claims use of order of lion , sun had existed in pre-islamic zoroastrian iran until worship of sun abolished muslims. piemontese suggests in decree, native political considerations , anachronistic historical facts mixed curious astrological arguments @ time, lion , sun symbol stood state, monarchy, , nation of iran, associated pre-islamic history.

order of lion , sun

the imperial order of lion , sun instituted fat’h ali shah of qajar dynasty in 1808 honour foreign officials (later extended persians) had rendered distinguished services persia.

substantial changes in motif

another change under second , third qajar king africanization of motif. @ time, lion african lion had longer mane , bigger body compared persian lion. yahya zoka suggests modification influenced contact europeans.

according shahbazi. zu l-faqar , lion decorated iranian flags @ time. seems towards end of fath ali shah’s reign 2 logos combined , lion representing ali given ali s saber, zu l-faqar.

according najmabadi, come across lion , sun sword in lion s paw , crown during period. mohammad shah s decree in 1836 states lion must erectly stand, bear saber ( make explicitly stands military prowess of state ). crown added symbol of royalty rather particular qajar monarch. decree states emblem @ once national, royal, , state emblem of iran. in period lion depicted more masculine , sun female. before time sun male or female , lion represented swordless, friendly , subdued seated animal.

the crown on lion , sun configuration consolidated association of symbol monarchy. sun lost importance icon of kingship , kiani crown became primary symbol of qajar monarchy. under nasir al-din shah, logos varied seated, swordless lions standing , sword-bearing lions. in february 1873, decree order of aftab (nishan-i afab) issued nasi-al din shah.

after persian constitutional revolution

in fifth amendment constitution of 1906, lion , sun motif in flag of iran described passant lion holds saber in paw , sun in background. decree dated september 4, 1910 specified exact details of logo, including lion s tail ( italic s ), position , size of lion, paw, sword, , sun.

the entrance gate of iranian parliament in mid-20th century

najmabadi observes parallel symbolism on wall hangings produced between lion/sun , reza khan/motherland, after reza khan s successful coup. coy sun protected lion , rezakhan hero should protect motherland. under reza shah sun s female facial features removed , sun portrayed more realistically , merely rays. in military contexts pahlavi crown added motif.

the pahlavis adopted lion , sun emblem qajars, replaced qajar crown pahlavi crown. pahlavis reintroduced persian symbolism motif. discussed in persian traditions, lion had been symbol of kingship , symbol of rustam s heroism in shahnameh.

the many historical meanings of emblem, while provide solid ground power national emblem of iran, have provided rich ground competing symbols of iranian identity. 1 important campaign abolish emblem initiated mojtaba minuvi in 1929. in report prepared @ request of iranian embassy in london, insisted lion , sun turkic in origin. recommended government replaces derafsh-e-kaviani: 1 cannot attributed national historical story lion-and-sun emblem, has no connection ancient pre-islamic history, there no evidence iranians designed or created it.... might rid of remnant of turkish people , adopt flag symbolizes our mythical grandeur, derafsh-e-kaviani . suggestion ignored. symbol challenged during world war i, while hasan taqizadeh publishing derafsh-e-kaviani newspaper in berlin. in newspaper, argued lion , sun neither iranian in origin nor ancient people assume. insisted lion , sun should replaced more iranian symbol of derafsh-e-kaviani.