The role of mythological and Sacred Plants in Sassanid Art (With emphasis on relief, metalworking and stucco)

Abstract Plants had a special importance in different ancient religions and cultures and due to different reasons some of them had sacred and mythological status which was derived from people’s religious beliefs. They also had significant impacts on people’s practical lives and based on these features they were manifested in art of each era. In ancient Iran, some plants had specific importance and were considered as sacred plants. In Achaemenid era when Iranian art achieved a coherent style, plant symbols were widely represented in this art which were according to Zarathustra’s teachings and beliefs. Sassanid who thought themselves as the heir of Achaemenian art, continued to use and keep these plant symbols and myths in their various art works. By applying descriptive-analytical research method and library-based documents, this paper attempts to provide recognition of mythological and Sacred Plants, determination of the origins of these mythological and their importance and roles in Sassanid art. The research results present that the use of motifs of mythological and Sacred Plants served decorative, symbolic and religious purposes. In another word, they were rooted in religious beliefs of that era and they symbolized blessing, mercifulness, fertility, immortality, and even the continuity of monarchy and authority.