What symbol is associated with Zoroastrianism?

The Faravahar is the symbol most commonly associated with Zoroastrianism.

It is usually shown as a winged disk with a human figure in the center, often accompanied by circular and feathered elements. In modern Zoroastrian interpretation, it is frequently connected with the fravashi, a spiritual aspect of a person, or with the ideal of moral progress and right conduct. However, there is no universal agreement about the symbol’s exact meaning.

The image has a much older history than modern Zoroastrian iconography. Related winged-disk designs appear in ancient Near Eastern art, including Assyrian imagery. The motif was used prominently during the Achaemenid Persian period and appears on royal tombs, including those associated with Darius the Great and Artaxerxes III.

Another common mistake is assuming every detail of the modern symbol has an ancient, fixed interpretation. Some popular explanations—for example, assigning a precise meaning to each feather or ring—are modern readings rather than universally attested ancient doctrine. In contemporary Iran and among Zoroastrian communities worldwide, the Faravahar can carry both religious and cultural significance.