The "Lion and Sun Flag" and the "Lion & Sun Emblem"

 

 

 

Rouh-Olah Khomeini, the founder of the theocratic regime and the one opposed to the concept of The Iranian Nation, ordered the removal of the "Lion & Sun" emblem in its entirety from all flags, monuments, historic building and governmental stationery heads "even if it did cost "an arm and a leg" as he stated.

In addition, extensive governmental efforts and repressive actions were made to demonize and ban The "Lion & Sun" in order to have the successive generations accept the Islamic Republic's red colored "God" Emblem, known as the "bloody fork".

 

Philosophy and History of the "Lion & Sun" Flag

 

The philosophy behind the "Lion & Sun" emblem  goes back to over two thousand years and to the  emergence of the Iranian Nation. Ancient Iranians believed that Sun is the center of energy and Lion is the symbol of energy, the embodiment of power and bravery.

Mithraism which was the ancient religion of the Iranians (before the spread of Zoroastrianism) believed that a man would come to rescue the humanity and will destroy the caw that is the symbol of most commodity. Mithra who was believed to be the Sun's son was said to be powerful enough to be able to destroy the caw.

Therefore in most archeological documents and engravings we see an Angel or a Lion fighting a Caw (Persepolis, Apadana Palace's Stairs). Thus the Lion & Sun with a portrait of an angel who represents Mithra has been discovered in most ancient archeological findings.

  

 

From the book of the prominent Iranian historian "Nasser Engheta" entitled "The Lion & Sun" - An emblem rich of 3000 years of history

 

 

The first Iranian flag during the time of The Achemaenid Dynasty (25 centuries ago) was a golden eagle, with open wings,  on a shield carried on a spear.

The famous "Derafsh Kaviani" (Kavian Flag) which was made by "Kaveh e Ahangar" (a famous freedom fighter artisan goldsmith) using his apron, carried three different ribbons hanging on the lower edge, in Red, Purple and yellow. The Sassanid Flag, which was decorated by many precious jewels, was stolen by the Arabs when the Iranian army was defeated in the 7th century.

The Arab invaders burned the flag and robbed the valuables.

 

 

A reconstitution of the Derafsh Kaviani

 

 

 

At all times, the "Lion & Sun" appeared on most flags, even if the defeated dynasty had to be destroyed, the "Lion & Sun" was transformed from one flag to the other with different colors.

During the Safavid Dynasty who were a religious group and strongly believed in Islam, the sword appeared on the flag. The Sword was Ali''s symbol ( Mohammad's son-in-law. )

During The Afshari Dynasty, Nadir Shah created a rectanglular flag of the red, white and green color scheme, using the "Lion & Sun" as an emblem.

 

During The Qajar Dynasty, Fath-Ali-Shah  introduced one flag on a red background with a Sitting Lion (no Sword) representing the war time, and another flag with a Sitting Lion (with sword) on a green surface representing peace time, the Lions' Sun's rays on both of these flags, covered all surfaces of the flags.

Later when Amir Kabir ordered military compounds be build in place of mosques, all the soldiers wore uniforms using Iranian cloth and buttons decorated with the "Lion & Sun". He combined The Red and Green Colors from The Afshari Era with the addition of White in the middle with the "Sun & Lion" as the symbolic flag.

During the reign of Mohammed Shah Qajar, The House representatives recognized The Red, White, and Green flag with the "Lion & Sun", carrying "The Sword", as the national emblem.

During the Pahlavis' Reign, vast efforts were made to familiarize the Iranians with their historical past and the "Lion & Sun" flags were deployed in most areas such as official government buildings. Meanwhile, the Pahlavi Dynasty had its own blue colored "Derafsh Kaviani" emblem representing the Imperial court.

The Islamists and their leftist collaborators (who collaborated in the begining of the revolution) made a huge demogogic effort in order to create a gap between the Iranians and their historical emblem in their effort to materialize their revolution.

But today with the spread of historical knowledge, the Iranian Populous accepts the flag and an emblem which is officially banned, the "Lion & Sun", the sacred flag of their ancestors, and not the flag of the Islamic Republic,  representing a dying and illegitimate regime,  with its decaying ideology.

 

 

 

Resurrection of the "Lion & Sun" Flag

 

  

Astonishingly after 25 years, Young Iranians (constituting 70 percent of the population) on several occasions have raised the banned "Lion & Sun" Flag during demonstrations in Iran and the trend of accepting this sacred traditional flag is on a constant rise.

For the absolute majority of the Iranians, except the Islamists and the ultra-leftists, the "Lion & Sun" represents the hopes of a Powerful Nation for a free and bright tomorrow as its ancient philosophy has always meant.