For Zoroastrians, the cypress (Persian, sarv) is rich with symbolism. It is a symbol of life - a tree of life. As an evergreen that can seemingly live forever, it is the symbol of Amertat, agelessness and longevity - of the triumph of life over forces that have shortened the lifespan of other forms of life. It stands resolute as a symbol of freedom and liberty and justice. Its stands upright as a symbol of truthfulness, fairness and justice.
The tree and its park are next to a mosque which built over a Zoroastrian chahar-taqi temple. Local folklore claims that the tree was planted by Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) himself.
4,500 year-old sacred cypress (sarv) Park at Abarkuh. Image Credit: Mary Hodder at Flickr
Periodic watering of 4,500 year-old sacred cypress (sarv). Note white ribbon hanging
"Zoroastrian Heritage: Cypress at Abarkuh / Abarqu." Zoroastrianism. Heritage Institute, n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2014.
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