I have a cup I fount it in palestine and it has a strange things the question is if I show a picture for the cup and explaining , are you can tell me what is this cup ? that because you expert in persia.
posted by mondana on:
11/15/08
history behind sabzi polo ba mahi
Hi, Ms.Price
I'm a mother of a fourth grade girl.I have to write a paragraph to explain a history behind the sabzi polo ba mahi on norouze ! for cultural class recipe.I serch many web sites but I did'nt get any answer I'm hoping that you can help me.
Thanks
Mondana
admin replied:
History behind sabzi polo ba mahi
Fish has significant symbolism in ancient Zoroastrian mythology, particularly the mythology from the Sasanian period, 3rd century to 7th century AD, when the Zoroastrian scripture was expanded. In the creation myth of the Zoroastrian cosmology of the Sasanian period, there are 7 first creations, one is a large lake and fish is amongst the first creatures that appears in this lake. Herbs (sabzi) were also very significant in this cosmology since there was a deity that protected plants and herbs. Rice was a novelty and one might call it a gourmet/luxury food that was consumed at special occasions. There is no historical evidence to tell us that this kind of food was consumed during No Ruz. However fish and plants do appear
repeatedly in Sasanian art work and its symbolism is well known. So one might suggest with caution, that this might be the orgin of the dish during No Ruz. Especially because No Ruz was a celebration of the creation myth of the Sasanian era as it is told in the Pahlavi text Bundhishn. All the major players in this myth were celebrated and tributes were made to them and they did survive in the Haft Sin tradition. For more info on the topic please refer to the No Ruz articles in my site, www.cultureofiran.com.
Thanks,
Massoume Price
posted by admin on:
11/01/05
Persian Crown
Why is that the textile that goes into the makin of the exterior of Crown of Persian Emperor (e.g., Pahlavi) is made in burgandy color instead of red or any other color...
admin replied:
Persian crown
Thank you for your e mail.
With respect to your question, I have no idea. Maybe you should contact Farah Pahlavi through her site. She might know more, or know of people who might know.
Best, massoume
posted by Farhad2005 on:
10/24/05
Zarathustra
Hello,
I have heard that there are controversies about the era in which Zarathustra has lived. Some say he lived at the same era than Buddha, and other say he lived 1000 earlier.
What is the latest news about this?
Could you explaine me the arguments of these two groups?
Thanks
Farhad
admin replied:
Zoroaster's era
Dear Farhad,
There is no accurate date on Zoroaster's era. However the estimate that puts him around the time of Buddha is inaccurate. This date shows up in most encyclopedias and is based on mis-calculation from ancient times. The date is inaccurate, because Gatha, the oldest part of Avesta is much older linguistically. Gatha has many similarities to the Indian Rig-Veda, both in terms of content and linguistics. Rig-Veda is probably dated from around 1800 BC. Scholars based on linguistic and Rig-Veda, have placed the Gatha somewhere around 1500-1000 BC. Gatha is attributed to Zoroaster himself, therefore he also should be placed in the same time frame. Thanks for your e mail.
Massoume Price
posted by admin on:
10/18/05
Hello massoume
I note that you say you are a social anthropologist.
I did my post graduate research in social anthropology at Oxford Univ (as well as my first degree in MOdern Languages there) and naturally I am curious to know whether these studies you did were at Kings/UCL or elsewhere. What degree level did you do there? Did you write a thesis and if so may I ask what it was about. I am naturally interested in keeping up with social anth. and always interested in what compatriots write.
i look forward to your reply.
best wishes
Shahin
admin replied:
Hello Shahin,
Thanks for your e mail. I did social anthropology at University College, London University in the late 1970s. I started doing a Ph.D in Ecology (King's College) and started field work in Iran and that is when I became very interested in anthropology. So I changed and did a two year course at University College to change topic and was planning to start a Ph.D in anthropology when the revolution started. I did go back to Iran for a short time and then had to leave and could not do the Ph.D any more. I live in Canada right now and will be going back to Iran in a few months and plan to stay there for a year. I am so glad Iranians are showing interest in such topics. Have you done any work in Iran? Will you be going there?
Massoume Price
