Die Sprache der Bilder

Book Description

For centuries, scholars believed that ancient Iran produced no distinctly Zoroastrian art. Shervin Farridnejad challenges this assumption in a groundbreaking exploration that reveals the rich visual language of one of humanity's oldest monotheistic traditions.

Through meticulous iconographic analysis, Farridnejad traces how ancient Iranian deities were depicted in human form and examines their place within the Zoroastrian divine hierarchy. This comprehensive study unveils the sophisticated artistic tradition that flourished in pre-Islamic Iran, demonstrating how sacred images served as multilayered vessels of meaning in Zoroastrian spiritual practice.

The author methodically reconstructs the evolution of divine imagery, investigating how religious concepts preserved in written texts found expression through visual symbols. By examining both Avestan and Middle Persian literary sources alongside artistic representations, he illuminates the profound connection between word and image in ancient Iranian religious culture.

This richly illustrated work reveals how complex divine portraits functioned as essential elements in Zoroastrian worship and daily spiritual life. Farridnejad identifies recurring formal patterns in these sacred images while exploring their origins within Iran's broader religious artistic vocabulary.

For readers interested in ancient spirituality, religious symbolism, and the intersection of art and faith, this scholarly yet accessible study offers unprecedented insight into how visual language conveyed sacred meaning in one of history's most influential religious traditions.