The Coat Of Arms: The Cyrus Cylinder

Improved Essays
During the past week, I created a coat of arms that symbolized who I am as an individual. Every little detail present in this work mirrors a great deal and a more meaningful interpretations in order for me to communicate the right message and feeling to the viewers. The coat of arms is encompassed a perfect circle as a symbol of something that is whole, complete, ideal and eternal. With a shape that has no ending and no beginning, the message is somehow parallel to cyclical ideas and processes. The yin-yang symbol represents the two different phases in my life: my life in Iran and life in Canada. In Iran my parents were Bahá'í and not Muslim; therefore, they left Iran in hopes for a better and a brighter future. The bright yellow side represents …show more content…
He founded Persia. He was known to be a great conqueror, who at one point controlled one of the greatest Empires ever seen. He showed great forbearance and respect towards the religious beliefs and cultural traditions of other races. These qualities earned him the respect and homage of all the people over whom he ruled. The Cyrus Cylinder is inscribed in cuneiform. It has been known as the world’s first declaration of human rights. On the Cyrus Cylinder, it explains how Cyrus established peace. The Cyrus Cylinder has special resonance for the Iranian people and is an integral part of Iran’s cultural heritage and national identity. By pursuing a policy of generosity, instead of repression, Cyrus demonstrated his greatness. Cyrus’ compassionate principles continue to resonate today: his religious and cultural tolerance and commitment to the liberation of enslaved people remain an aspiration in our troubled modern world. Some segments of the Cyrus Cylinder …show more content…
He is the person I look up to. I included a line from the Cyrus Cylinder—inscribed in cuneiform—in my coat of arms, to remind myself that my life should revolve around following his words. Cyrus was indeed a Zoroastrian—a faith that my ancestors followed. Zoroaster believed that the universe was constantly under the conflict between good and evil. Zoroastrians believe that the elements are pure and that fire represents God’s light or wisdom. Zoroaster placed less emphasis on ritual worship, instead focusing on the central ethics of “Good Words, Good Thoughts and Good Deeds”. I included a quotation of Zoroaster in my coat of arms. Since the faith of Zoroastrianism is something that I follow and will follow throughout my life. I believe that the life and words I live by can be represented in the shape of two animals of nature: a butterfly and a deer. The fragile, elegant structure of a butterfly lets them fly free and see the world from different perspectives—which I believe to be a strong aspect of what makes us ‘human’. My coat of arms also features a deer’s antlers, representing the protection I would like to offer to my family, culture, and values. My coat of arms is not symmetrical; I live in balance and harmony, but I have a long way to go before I become a mentally balanced

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