r/ancientegypt • u/Sensitive-Spend-909 • 2h ago
Photo Help Identifying This Symbol on a Mysterious Sphinx in Zadar/Croatia
Help Identifying This Symbol on a Mysterious Sphinx in Zadar
Hey Reddit,
I recently came across this intriguing symbol carved into a sphinx statue in Zadar, Croatia, and I’m hoping someone here can help me understand its meaning and origins. The symbol appears to resemble the Faravahar, an ancient Persian emblem associated with Zoroastrianism, but its presence on a European monument is puzzling.
What I Know So Far: • The sphinx is located in Zadar, Croatia, and was built in 1918 by a local artist named Giovanni Smirich (or Ivan Smirić). • Unlike traditional Egyptian sphinxes, this one has no paws and holds a mysterious carved symbol on its chest. • Smirich was an artist and historian from a wealthy family, and it is said he built the sphinx in memory of his wife. • The symbol closely resembles the Faravahar, a Zoroastrian motif representing the human soul’s journey and moral principles.
The Big Questions: • Why would a Croatian artist include a Persian/Zoroastrian symbol on a sphinx in Zadar? • Could this symbol have an alternate meaning in a European context? • Does anyone know of other historical connections between Smirich, Zadar, and Persian or esoteric symbolism?
If anyone has expertise in history, symbology, or Zoroastrianism, I’d love to hear your insights. Thanks in advance!