Wise men from the east

24 Oct 2013 — 27 Apr 2014 at the British Museum in London, United Kingdom

2 December 2013

Farvahar, Aida Foroutan, 2003. The winged figure is seen by the Iranian artist as a symbol of national identity. © Aida Foroutan

This small exhibition will explain Zoroastrianism, an ancient but living religion named after the Prophet Zarathustra, through objects and coins from Persia (Iran) and beyond.

The display will feature a variety of ancient and modern objects and coins, and will highlight the importance of Zoroastrian traditions in other religions. It will touch on the concept and imagery of the Three Kings of the Christian tradition, who are described in the New Testament (Matthew 2.2) as Magi from the east – Zoroastrian priests in the Persian tradition.

Magnificent Islamic coins from Mughal India which follow the Iranian Zoroastrian calendar adopted by the emperor Akbar (1556–1605) will also be on display.

Modern objects will show the ongoing legacy of this ancient Iranian religion and its significance as a symbol of national identity for Zoroastrian and non-Zoroastrian Iranians in modern Persia and beyond.

British Museum

A museum of the world, for the world. Discover over two million years of human history and culture.The collections from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and the ancient world include world-famous objects such as the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, and Egyptian mummies.

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Location

London, United Kingdom

Founded in

1759

Silver coin of Bahram I (AD 273–76), Sasanian king of Iran, showing the Zoroastrian fire altar. © The British Museum

Set of six Parsi tiles from Mumbai, 1980-89, showing in the centre the sacred fire, on the left the legendary King Lohrasp of the Iranian epic tradition, and on the right the Prophet Zarathustra. Donated by Adervad S. Deboo. © The Trustees of the British Museum

Modern gold pendant showing the Zoroastrian winged figure, fravashi/farvahar, which symbolises the immortal spirit of each human being that defends the material world against evil. Private Collection. © V.S. Curtis

Set of six Parsi tiles from Mumbai, 1980-89, showing in the centre the sacred fire, on the left the legendary King Lohrasp of the Iranian epic tradition, and on the right the Prophet Zarathustra. Donated by Adervad S. Deboo. © The Trustees of the British Museum
Modern gold pendant showing the Zoroastrian winged figure, fravashi/farvahar, which symbolises the immortal spirit of each human being that defends the material world against evil. Private Collection. © V.S. Curtis

Set of six Parsi tiles from Mumbai, 1980-89, showing in the centre the sacred fire, on the left the legendary King Lohrasp of the Iranian epic tradition, and on the right the Prophet Zarathustra. Donated by Adervad S. Deboo. © The Trustees of the British Museum
Modern gold pendant showing the Zoroastrian winged figure, fravashi/farvahar, which symbolises the immortal spirit of each human being that defends the material world against evil. Private Collection. © V.S. Curtis