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Humata, Hukhta, Huvarshta (Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds)

The person of good intellect says that the deeds of good mind must be maintained. He knows that progressive serenity is the true product of righteousness. All these, Lord Wise, are means of promotion in Your dominion. (Gathas: Song 7 - stanza 10)

Faravahar or Fravashi is one of the oldest icons of Persian culture emanated from the Zoroastrian. Although its figure is somehow inspired from those of Assyrians, all its strong themes and symbols are made, developed, and flourished by the Zoroaster’s thought around four thousand years ago. This icon is frequently used in the inscriptions and works survived from the Achaemenid and the Sasanian Empire. The remains could be found in Bistoun’s Inscriptions, Persepolis, and so on. Moreover, regarding life, Faravahar, is the most precious part of human being since it is a part which was inherited from the eternal Being of Ahura Mazda, the creator, which is placed in the soul of a human in the time of his creation as a guide for his soul and leading him toward perfection which will be joined to the Creator after his death with the same purity and truth.

Each part of the icon represents an idea which is as follows:

First, the man represents a wise old man who has experienced the vicissitudes of life works as a friend and guide who shows the method of planning a happy and blessed life both in the earthly world and then in the afterlife world in the paradise.

Second, the forward-and-up right hand of the wise man points to the direction of sun implying the progress through the light and flying toward it. The Faravahar can move both to the right and to the left which depends on the direction of the light. It also signifies the right...

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...trian where there is a universal struggle between the forces of light and of darkness, Human being is free to select between the “goodness” and “evilness”. Thus, if one person selects “Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds”, the Spenta Mainyu, the Bounteous Spirit, will be with him all time guiding him in the path of development and progress which leads to a happy life both in the earthly world and after death. Accordingly, if one person selects evil path, the Angra Mainyu, Destructive Spirit, direct him to do evil actions bringing about sorrows and destruction.

Finally, the tail is made of three remiges symbolizing "evil thoughts, evil words, and evil deeds" which bring the followers down and cause misery and misfortune for human beings.

In conclusion, it’s really amazing that just in a small icon how much knowledge, wisdom, insight, and thought are encapsulated.