Derafsh Kaviani

The Derafsh Kaviani (Persian: درفش کاویانی, lit. 'Standard of Kaveh') was the legendary and historical national flag of pre-Islamic Iran, notably serving as the official standard of the Sasanian Empire (224–651).

It is identified with several figures in Iranian mythology, namely Kaveh the Blacksmith, but also Jamshid and Fereydun. The symbols are rooted in legendary accounts dating back to the Achaemenid Empire. In light of the Muslim conquest of Iran, the derafsh became especially significant as a representation of Iranian nationalism, which was the driving force behind the Iranian Intermezzo. Today, it continues to feature in Iranian culture, particularly literature, and is used by the Republic of Tajikistan as official heraldry.

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