Symbols and Functions of the Anahita, the Goddess of Woman in Ancient Iran (Study on the Motif of Sassanid Golden and Silver Vessels Containing the Role of Goddess)

Abstract

Iranian artworks such as metal, during the historical periods, reflect the ideas and viewpoints mainly in political, economic, and religious ritual aspects. The metal works of Sasanian period, due to frequency and variety of designs, are considered representative of the belief and thoughts of this era. The figures of women and shrewdly pointed out the figures of the goddess Anahita are one of the greatest groups of the motifs depicted on the golden and silver vessels of the Sassanid period. In the containers of this period, arәdvīsūra Anahita is depicted as a beautiful woman, half naked, in the middle or in the different directions, with minor painting such as lotus, dogs, fish, eagle, pomegranate, baby, grapes, the jug water and etc. In this research, we considered 23 vessels containing Anahita legend. This demonstrated that the objects in the hands of this goddess and plant, human and animal motifs in her scene, may represent descriptions, manifestations and functions that entirely have been speaking about in Avesta. Thus, we can say that Sassanid artists wisely choosed this designs with full knowledge about mythical and religious beliefs in same time. This research is based on descriptive and historical methods and data collection and –library survey.

Keywords

• golden and silver vessels
• sassanid
• anahita
• avesta
• semiotics
• functions