A Comparative Study of the Sassanian Stamp Seal Designs with Drawings in Abd al-Rahman Sufi's Sovar al-Kavakeb.

Khaledian, Sattar; Arab, Hasanali

Stamp seals are incredibly significant as a category of archeological finds because of their various motifs and functions, and inquiry into such glyptic evidence will help reconstruct different aspects of human life. During the Sassanian period, stamp seals were made of precious and semi-precious stones in different shapes and designs. In this descriptive, comparative and analytical study, the data was collected through library research, and the authors attempted to study, analyze and compare the designs on several Sassanian stamp seals with the depictions of constellation signs in Abd al-Rahman Sufi's famous book Sovar al-Kavakeb. The results show strong similarities between the considered glyptic designs and astronomical symbols. On account of the Sassanian's deep belief in astrology and the role the constellations played in their lifestyle and ruling system, it is conceivable that such stamp seals served apotropaic purposes and were related with Sassanian's astrological beliefs connected with predicting good and bad days. The main purpose behind the application of these designs was most probably to seek the support and protection from constellations. Associating these glyptic designs with constellations is further supported by a series of animal motifs such as scorpions, snakes and bears which did not held any position in the Sassanian belief system, demonstrating that these motifs were designed for astrological prognostications. For example, from the Sassanian point of view, the motif of scorpion and snake form the class of vermin, and devilish animals and bears symbolize ruin and corruption. Therefore, such evil representing motifs were employed for no reasons other than their relation to the constellations and astrological prophecies.

POSTAGE stamps; GLYPTICS; CONSTELLATIONS; ASTRONOMY; SASSANID dynasty, Iran, 224-651; SYMBOLISM

Iranian Journal of Archaeological Studies, 2023, Vol 13, Issue 1, p107

2251-743X

Academic Journal

10.22111/IJAS.2023.35596.1194