Derafsh Kaviani

The Derafsh Kāviān (Middle Persian: Drafš-ī Kāvayān, Modern Persian: درفش کاویانی Derafš-e Kāviān) was the legendary royal standard (vexilloid) of the Sasanian kings. The banner was also sometimes called the "Standard of Jamshid" (Drafš-e Jamshid), the "Standard of Fereydun" (Drafš-e Freydun), and the "Royal Standard" (Drafš-e Kayi).

Meaning and origins

The name Drafš-e Kāvīān means "the standard of the kay(s)" (i.e., kavis "kings") or "of Kāva." The latter meaning is an identification with an Iranian legend in which the Derafš-e Kāvīān was the standard of a mythological blacksmith-turned-hero named Kaveh (Modern Persian: Kāveh), who led a popular uprising against the foreign demon-like ruler Dahāg (Modern Persian: Zahhāk). Recalling the legend, the 10th-century epic Shahnameh recasts Zahhak as an evil and tyrannical ruler, against whom Kāveh called the people to arms, using his leather blacksmith apron as a standard, with a spear as its hoist. In the story, after the war that called for the kingship of Fereydun (Middle Persian: Frēdōn) had been won, the people decorated the apron with jewels and the flag became the symbol of Iranian independence and resistance against foreign tyranny.