Symbology and Typology of Stone Lions withEmphasis on Patterns and Outlines

Sir-e sangi or stone lion is a type of symbolic, historical and mostly abstract tombstone witch is found on the graves of hero warriors and elders of Iranian tribes especially Bakhtiari ones. This kind of tombstone has a root in the ceremonial, Shiite, and ethnic beliefs of Iranian people. The present study is conducted for the first time in the scope of 10 provinces of Iran which are mostly in Bakhtiari regions.The purpose of this research is recognizing these symbolic statuses by analyzing these kind of tombstones means stone lion based on their shapes, pattern and symbols. The question is, considering the cultural, historical and geographical factors affecting the evolution of the lion body, what aesthetic differences do we see? The research has been conducted in descriptive-analytical way. The main base of this article are the information are gathered from different books, documents, and field information by the help of the experts and specialists of the Cultural Heritage offices of 40 Iranian cities. The number of studied samples is more than 550 of these types of historical statues in the country. Sir-e sangi statuses are used differently in Iranian regions and cities. As an example, in two provinces namely Khuzestan and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, the stone lion statues are mostly cubic and have some kind of slop and shape as if the lion is jumping, representing a symbol of courage of the bared person. However, in some other parts like Isfahan city, the stone lion statues are not used just on the graves. They are located throughout the city mainly in the religious places like Imam-zadeh and mosques. They have a calm and cylindrical or curved body shape, which can be regarded as the symbol of the guard in proportion to the place where they are located. Some of these statues on the graves have inscriptions, too. In addition, in some regions like Aligoodarz city which is in Lorestan province and Fereydunshahr and Fereydan that are located in Isfahan province, they have humanoid, mood-oriented and expressive faces. In Yasuj city, the center of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province as well as Shiraz and Kazeroon in Fars province, sometimes the direction of hands and feet of the lion represent movement. However, in the northwest regions of Iran like Tabriz in east Azerbaijan, there is no sign of jumping in Bakhtiari šir-e sangi or stone lions. Since Safavid dynasty, this statues is also considered the symbol of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), the first Imam of Shiite Muslims. Lots of pattern are engraved on these statuses like sword, gun, dagger, horse, horse rider, antelope, warrior and religious elements. An important point which should be noticed is that these motifs are different based on the social, religious, occupational and cultural situation of the person whose grave is marked by a stone lion. Among these pattern, sword is the most common type. The reason can be found in the spirit of courage of Bakhtiari people and sword can be a symbol of courage.