2025 : 11 : 5
Yaghoub Mohammadifar

Yaghoub Mohammadifar

Academic rank: Professor
ORCID: 0000-0001-5573-4974
Education: PhD.
ScopusId: 23489536600
HIndex: 0/00
Faculty: Faculty of Art and Architecture
Address: Department of Archaeology, Art and Architecture Faculty, Bu-Ali University, Hamadan, Iran
Phone: 081-34220940

Research

Title
Revealing Pearl as A Functional Element or A Sacred Concept in Sasanian Art
Type
JournalPaper
Keywords
Iran, Pearl, Symbol, Decorative Art, Sasanian, Farreh Izadi.
Year
2025
Journal مطالعات باستان شناسی پارسه
DOI
Researchers Yaghoub Mohammadifar ، ، Esmail Hemati Azandaryani

Abstract

The pearl motif stands out as one of the most prominent and widely used decorative elements in Sasanian art, with its diverse reflections evident in the cultural and artistic works of the era. This study aims to explore the significance and position of this motif in Sasanian decorative arts, analyzing it as one of the most notable designs employed in royal ornaments and as a sacred or meaningful symbol. The research adopts a fundamental approach, utilizing descriptive and comparative-analytical methods, with data collected through library-based studies. Findings reveal that the use of the pearl motif in Sasanian art extended beyond mere decoration, serving as a symbolic, spiritual, and royal element. The analysis indicates that the motif was deeply connected with Zoroastrian beliefs, representing farr-e izadi (divine glory). This symbolic motif was extensively featured in various decorative arts, including silk textiles, gold and silver vessels, coins, and architectural adornments such as stucco and wall paintings. The use of the pearl motif emphasized themes such as royal legitimacy, divine sanctity, and the aspiration for increased divine favor, ultimately leading to greater prosperity and success. The results highlight that the pearl motif, by bridging religious and social values, became a cornerstone of Sasanian decorative arts and a powerful symbol of the interconnectedness between humanity, the divine, and the royal order during this period.