Relationship of Wind God (Vay) and Sassanid Waving Ribbons

Long waving ribbons are one of the specifications of art in Sassanid era which besides power ring and royal crown can be found also on clothes and shoes, horse and king’s bow and the cloth of goddesses as well as some animals, objects and plants. The ribbons have been replaced by wing in the power ring and they should be associated with heavenly forces. The goal of Sassanid antiquities was showing power and triumph of the king and its legitimacy via royal glory. The continuity of glory in the king and its promotion depended on victory in war and hunting. Glory in Sassanid era was understood as fortune and destiny. Wind Goddess better known in Sassanid era as “Vay Dirang Khoday” was one with the time and space and had deemed to have a key role in the creation. It was also considered to be united with the sphere. Thus it was intertwined with fortune and destiny. “Vay” is associated with the glory and goddesses who bring glory and sustain it. “Vay” was the goddess of war and terminator of diabolic entities. It was also rain bringer and bounty endower. Then, it helped the king in his war, hunting, personal affairs and bounties. Thus, “Vay” had been related with glory, its preservation and promotion and was considered to be a proper symbol to be replace by wing.