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Abstract: Sorted, categorized collection of links to over 170 articles. Notes: The total Encyclopaedia Iranica currently consists of around 9,000 articles, and is not yet completed. Other articles, more directly related to the Bahá'í Faith, can be found elsewhere at Bahá'í Library Online. Note that the column "Description and comments" is AI assisted (edited output of questions to ChatGPT 3.5 like "summarize text in maximum 25 words"). Without that it would have been much more time consuming to create. See other Encyclopaedia Iranica articles linked from this site, and see About the Encyclopaedia Iranica. Tip: To read long articles on the Encyclopedia Iranica on a (mobile) screen can be inconvenient for some. It may be helpful to copy and paste content that interests you into a Word file and then and send it to your e-reader or e-reader app (if needed after converting it to EPUB format (with software like Calibre). |
Encyclopaedia Iranica:
Selected articles related to Persian culture, religion, philosophy and history
by Encyclopaedia Iranica
compiled by Arjen Bolhuispublished in Encyclopaedia Iranica
New York: Columbia University, 1982-2023
| Contents |
Religion, philosophy, language, literature etc.
| Article | Description and comments | Authors | Year |
| Rose and nightingale (gol-o-bolbol) | Literary and decorative metaphor in Persian literature, Sufi poetry, as well as the Bahá'í Faith | Layla S. Diba | 2001 |
| Rose (gol) | Same as above | Hušang A'lam | 2001 |
| Nightingale (bolbol) | Same as above | Hūšang A'lam, Jerome W. Clinton | 1989 |
| Beloved (ma'suq) | Term occuring in Persian literature, Sufism and the Bahá'í Faith, with a variety of meanings. | J. T. P. de Bruijn | 1989 |
| Candle (sam') | Metaphor | J. T. P. De Bruijn | 1990 |
| Color (rang) | Color symbolism in Persian literature and art | Annemarie Schimmel, Priscilla P. Soucek | 1992 |
| Simorg (simurgh) | Mythical bird | Hanns-Peter Schmidt | 2002 |
| Burial | Burial practices in Zoroastrianism, Islam and the Bahá'í Faith | Multiple authors (incl. Vahid Rafati) | 2000 |
| Cemeteries | Cemeteries in Persian folklore | Mahmoud Omidsalar | 1990 |
| Camphor (kāfūr) | Essential oil used in Islamic funerary rituals | Hūšang A'lam | 1990 |
| Calendars | Various calendars | Antonio Panaino, Reza Abdollahy, Daniel Balland | 1990 |
| Seven (haft) | Cultural significance of the heptad in Persian history | A. Shapur Shahbazi | 2002 |
| Week (hafta) | History of the weekly calendar in Iran | Badri Gharib | 2009 |
| Festivals | Religious and communal festivals and commemorations | Multiple authors | 1999 |
| Nowruz | Persian New Year | Mary Boyce, A. Shapur Shahbazi, Simone Cristoforetti | 2000 |
| Haft sin | Seven items beginning with the letter sin (S), a ritual of the Nowruz festival | A. Shapur Shahbazi | 2002 |
| Fasting | Fasting in Zoroastrianism, Manicheism, Islam and the Bahá'í Faith | Jamsheed K. Choksy, Denise Soufi | 1999 |
| Exegesis | Commentary on or interpretation of sacred texts | Multiple authors, incl. Todd Lawson | 1999, 2000 |
| Hermeneutics | The development of Shi'ite exegetical methods over time | Todd Lawson | 2003 |
| Baten (hidden) and zaher (visible) | Concepts associated with knowledge ('ilm) in Shi'ism and Sufism | B. Radtke | 1988 |
| Baqa (annihilation) and fana (subsistence) | Exploring the mystical experiences of Sufis | G. Böwering | 1988 |
| Cella (forty day period) | Term referring to any forty-day period | Mahmoud Omidsalar, Hamid Algar | 1990 |
| Cosmogony and cosmology | The origin and structure of the universe in various religious traditions. For Shiism this includes elements like the divine throne and the pen. | Multiple authors, incl. Moojan Momen | 1993 |
| Conversion | Aspects of religious conversion in Iranian history | Multiple authors | 1993 |
| Taqiya (dissimulation) | Concealing one's true beliefs in times of imminent danger | Louis Medoff, Kamran Ekbal | 2015, 2012 |
| Islam in Iran | The advent and spread of Islam in Iran, messianism and millenarianism, jihad, and Islamic political movements | Multiple authors | 2007 |
| Hadith | Introducing Hadith literature, consisting of reports on the Prophet Muhammad's actions and sayings. | Shahab Ahmed | 2002 |
| Shiite doctrine | Focusing on the Imams and a dualistic view. | Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi | 2005 |
| Hierarchy in the Imamiyya | Hierarchy involving believers, ulema (religious scholars), and internal ranking systems | Rainer Brunner | 2010 |
| Imamite-Sunnite relations | Relations in the 19th and 20th centuries | Rainer Brunner | 2010 |
| Imams in Twelver Shi'i Islam | Articles about each of the twelve Imams | Multiple authors | 1985-2015 |
| Imam Husayn | Third Imam | Wilferd Madelung, Jean Calmard, Peter Chelkowski | 2004 |
| Mahdi | Descendant of the Prophet Muhammad who is expected to return | Said Amir Arjomand, Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi, Verena Klemm) | 2007 |
| Gayba | Occultation of the Hidden Imam | Said Amir Arjomand | 2000 |
| Raj'a (return) | Spiritual and eschatological interpretations in Shi'i Islam | Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi | 2005 |
| Eschatology | Final events of history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity. In Zoroastrianism, Manicheism, Shi'i Islam, Bábí and Bahá'í Faits | Shaul Shaked, Werner Sundermann, Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi, Stephen Lambden | 1998 |
| Apocalyptic | The development of End Time prophecies in Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Islam | Mary Boyce, I. K. Poonawala | 1986 |
| Dajjal | Evil figure in Islamic prophecies, who will pretend to be the promised Messiah, appearing before the Day of Judgment | Hamid Algar | 1993 |
| Ismailism | Prominent Shi'ite Muslim community | Multiple authors | 2007 |
| Ijtihad (ejtehad) | Islamic legal term referring to independent reasoning by an expert in Islamic law | Aron Zysow | 1998 |
| Jurisprudence (fiqh) | Expressing God's law (sharī'a) through exposition, analysis, and argument | Norman Calder | 1999 |
| Akbariya | School in Shi'ism, emphasizing Imams' traditions as the main source of religious knowledge | E. Kohlberg | 1984 |
| Shaykhism | School of Twelver Shi'ism founded in the 19th century by Shaykh Aḥmad Aḥsā'i | Denis Hermann | 2017 |
| Fatima | Daughter of the Prophet Moḥammad | Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi, Jean Calmard | 1999 |
| Angels (fereshteh) | Angels in Islam and Persian folklore. In supplement (not online?) | 1999 | |
| Bada | Theological term referring to a divine change in decision or ruling based on new circumstance | Wilferd Madelung | 1988 |
| Cleansing | Cleansing practices in Islamic Persia | Hamid Algar | 1992 |
| Dhikr (dekr) | The remembrance of God through reciting His name, in Sufism and the Bábí and Bahá'í Faiths | Gerhard Böwering, Moojan Momen | 1994 |
| Dua (Doa; prayer) | Islamic prayer of invocation, supplication or request | Hamid Algar | 1995 |
| Halal (permissible) and haram (prohibited) | Islamic term for "permissible" and "forbidden" things | Dana al-Sajdi | 2003 |
| Iblis (Eblis) | Devil-ike figure in Islam; the symbolic and moral dimensions of Iblīs in Sufism | Hamid Algar | 1996 |
| Hell (duzak; jahannam) | Hell in Zoroastrianism and Islam | Philippe Gignoux, Mahmoud Omidsalar | 2003, 2000 |
| Jinn (genie) | Supernatural beings from Islamic tradition, folklore beliefs in Persian tradition | Mahmoud Omidsalar | 2000 |
| Kidr (Kezr) | A prophet in Islamic tradition, influenced by diverse myths | Anna Krasnowolska | 2009 |
| Mi'raj (me'raj) | The Prophet Muhammad's heavenly ascent, often associated with the night journey (isrā') | Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi | 2010 |
| Christianity | Various aspects of Christianity in Persia, includingChristian Influences in Persian Poetry | Multiple authors, incl. Annemarie Schimmel | 1991 |
| Bible | Persian translations of the Bible | Multiple authors | 1989 |
| Daniel (Dānīāl-e Nabī) | Biblical prophet, highlights prophetic elements and diverse traditions | Multiple authors | 1993 |
| Isaiah, Book of | Book of the Bible, containing prophecies | Shaul Shaked | 2006 |
| Joseph (Yusuf) | Joseph in Persian literature, Qur'anic exegesis, and Persian art | Asghar Dadbeh, Annabel Keeler, Chad Kia | 2009 |
| Gnosticism | Gnosticism had various forms in pre-Islamic Iran, blending influences from different religious traditions | Kurt Rudolph | 2001 |
| Dead Sea scrolls | Collection of manuscripts discovered at the Qumran Caves, in which a number of Iranian elements can be discerned | Jacques Duchesne-Guillemin) | 1994 |
| Judeo-Persian communities | Starting with the Babylonian exile until the present day; language, literature and music contributions, and Persian impact on Judaism | Multiple authors | 2009 |
| Persian elements in the Talmud | Persian influences on Judaism through the Babylonian Talmud | Jacob Neusner | 2005 |
| Talmud (continued) | The impact of Middle Persian culture on Babylonian rabbinic Judaism | Yaakov Elman | 2010 |
| Zoroaster | Prophet of ancient Iran, whose religion became the dominant faith in Iran until the rise of Islam | Multiple authors | 2000 |
| Ahura Mazda | The one uncreated God in Zoroastrianism | Mary Boyce | 1984 |
| Dualism | Dualism in Zoroastrianism, and its influence on Judaism, early Christianity, Gnosticism, and Manicheism | Gherardo Gnoli | 1996 |
| Farrah (glory) | Term translating to "glory" in Iranian languages, linked to concepts like peace, and happiness; present in Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Manicheism | Gherardo Gnoli | 1999 |
| Fire (ātaš) | Concept in Zoroastrianism | Mary Boyce | 1987 |
| Water (Āb) | Concept in Zoroastrianism | Mary Boyce | 1982 |
| Saosyant | Saviour figure in Zoroastrian | William Malandra | 2000 |
| Hataria Manekji Limji | Parsi from India who served the Zoroastrian community in Iran from 1854 to 1890; Bahá'u'lláh sent several replies to his questions | Firoze M. Kotwal, Jamsheed K. Choksy, Christopher J. Brunner, and Mahnaz Moazami | 2016 |
| Pre-Islamic religions in Iran | Indo-Iranian practices and Zoroastrianism | Philip G. Kreyenbroek | 2006 |
| Indo-Iranian religion | Commonalities between ancient Iran and India | Gherardo Gnoli | 2004 |
| Magi | Priests of western Iranians during various historical periods | Muhammad A. Dandamayev | 2000 |
| Mandaeans | Ethno-religious group, followers of Mandaeism, a Gnostic and monotheistic religion with Greek, Iranian, and Jewish influences | Edmondo F. Lupieri | 2008 |
| Manicheism | Persian religion (former world religion) founded by the prophet Mani in the 3rd century CE | Werner Sundermann | 2009 |
| Mithraism | Roman mystery religion centered on the god Mithras | Roger Beck | 2002 |
| Hermes | Greek god; article explores Hermes' influence in the Roman, Egyptian, and Iranian worlds | Albert de Jong | 2003 |
| Nosayris | Syncretistic sect close to Shi'ism, forming Syria's largest minority | Meir M. Bar-Asher | 2003 |
| Sacred Books of the East | Collection of 50 volumes translated into English between 1879 and 1910 by leading scholars supervised by Friederich Max Müller | Carlo G. Cereti | 2000 |
| Alchemy (kimia) | The origins of alchemy, Persian influence and Islamic development; alchemy's mysticism, medical applications, and lasting impact on Western science | Pierre Lory | 2008 |
| Philosophy (falsafa) | Mazdean philosophy blends Greek thought (mainly Peripatetic and Neo-Platonic) with Zoroastrianism, covering topics like Being, Time, Space, Movement, Nature, Man, the Prime Cause, influenced by diverse philosophical traditions | Mansour Shaki | 1999 |
| Aql | The term " 'aql" denotes intellect, crucial in Islamic philosophy, Sufism and literature | F. Rahman, W. C. Chittick | 1986 |
| Perfect Human Being (Insan-i-kamil) | Concept central in Islamic mysticism, originating with Ibn Arabi (1165 – 1240), embodying oneness with God, moral perfection, and cosmic significance. It evolved from diverse influences | Gerhard Böwering | 1998 |
| Irfan | Islamic theosophy, merging Sufi thought and Shi'ite philosophy, | Gerhard Böwering | 1998 |
| Evil | The concept of evil in Zoroastrianism and Shi'ism | Gherardo Gnoli, Etan Kohlberg | 1998 |
| Fatalism | Fatalism in Islamic philosophy and Persian literature, where destiny, predetermined by God, shapes human existence | 'Abd-al-Ḥosayn Zarrīnkūb | 1999 |
| Free will | Free will in Shi'ism | Multiple authors | 2000 |
| Farabi (c. 870 – 950) | Islamic philosopher and music theorist, who lived in Baghdad, Egypt and Damascus | Multiple authors | 1999 |
| Avicenna (c. 980 - 1037) | Persian polymath, physician and philosopher, who died in Hamadan | Multiple authors | 1987 |
| Illuminationism (falsafa-i-ishraqi) | Philosophical system introduced by Persian philosopher Sohravardi (Suhrawardi; 1155 - 1191) | Hossein Ziai | 2004 |
| Isfahan school of philosophy | Philosophical movement, emphasizing metaphysical speculation and mystical experience. Key figures include Shaikh Bahai (1547 - 1621), Mir Damad (c. 1561 - 1631) and Mulla Sadra (c. 1571 - 1640) | Sajjad H. Rizvi | 2007 |
| Mulla Sadra (c. 1571 - 1640) | Persian philosopher and theologian, who lived in Shiraz, Qazvin, Isfahan, Qum, Basra and Najaf | Sajjad H. Rizvi | 2005 |
| Hegel (1770 - 1831) | German philosopher, who wrote about Zoroastrian thought and Islamic Persian art | M. Azadpour | 2003 |
| Nietzsche (1844 - 1900) | German philosopher, who admired Persian culture | Daryoush Ashouri | 2003 |
| Conspiracy theories | Conspiracy theories in Persia | Ahmad Ashraf | 1992 |
| Aryans | Ancient peoples of India and Iran who spoke Aryan languages | R. Schmitt | 1987 |
| Persian language | Early New Persian's emergence, dialects, and historical context, shaping literature, administration, and scholarship across Islamic civilization | Ludwig Paul | 2000 |
| Arabic language | Arabic influence on Persian, including loanwords and literary impact | Multiple authors | 1986 |
| Abjad | Term referring to the use of letters as numbers; originally used for numbering, it later found applications in religion, poetry, magic and numerology | G. Krotkoff | 1982 |
| Chronograms | Chronograms hide dates in Persian texts using letter values; they are solved through various methods | J. T. P. de Bruijn | 1991 |
| Codes (romuz) | Persian cryptography; codes served diplomatic, religious, and magical purposes | C. Edmund Bosworth | 1992 |
| Aramaic language | Overview of Aramaic language, covering its historical development, dialects, and influence on Iranian languages | F. Rosenthal, J. C. Greenfield, S. Shaked | 1986 |
| Syriac language | An ancient Aramaic dialect, was vital in Christian literature and translating Greek works, influencing Islamic and Western civilizations | Multiple authors | 2015 |
| Urdu language | Urdu, a major language in Pakistan and India, influenced by Persian, serves as a lingua franca for the Indian subcontinent. Its literature heavily borrows from Persian. | David Matthews | 2005 |
| Loanwords | Linguistic loanwords across languages, including Arabic, Persian, Greek, Mongolian, Ossetic, Sogdian, Syriac, and Turkic | Multiple authors | Multiple years |
| Persian literature | Three main periods of Persian literature: Pre-Islamic, Classical, and Modern | Multiple authors | 1999, 2006 |
| Persian myths and legends | Myths and legends in Iranian culture; their role in conveying fundamental truths and shaping religious beliefs | John R. Hinnells | 2004 |
| Epics | Epics in Persian literature; explores various heroic epics and their characters, including Rostam and Bahman; the national epic Shahnameh (shah-nama), as well as romantic epics like Nizami's works | François de Blois | 1998 |
| Fables | Persian fables, short stories often involving animals, gods, or inanimate objects, used to illustrate moral or ethical teachings; the adaptation of fables from various cultures into Persian storytelling traditions | Mahmoud and Teresa P. Omidsalar | 1999 |
| Fiction | Traditional and modern fiction, including novels, short stories, and works from various regions | Multiple authors | 2000 |
| Gazal | A form of Persian lyric poetry, which has influenced Turkish and Urdu poetry | J. T. P. de Bruijn, Ehsan Yarshater | 2000, 2006 |
| Rhetorical figures | Rhetorical figures in medieval Persian literature; the influence of Persian and Arabic traditions on each other's poetic styles | Natalia Chalisova | 2009 |
| Metrical system (aruz) | Metrical system used in Arabic poetry; influenced Persian poetry | L. P. Elwell-Sutton | 1986 |
| Hagiographic literature | Hagiographic literature in Persia and Central Asia focuses on Sufi saints, emphasizing spiritual teachings and symbolic meanings over factual details | Jürgen Paul | 2002 |
| Omar Khayyam (1048 - 1131) | Persian polymath and poet from Nishapur | Multiple authors | 2017 |
| Sanai (1080 - 1131/1141) | Persian poet from Ghazni | J. T. P. de Bruijn | 2012 |
| Leyli and Majnun (Layli and Majnun) | A narrative poem by Nizami (1141 - 1209), composed in 1188 | A. A. Seyed-Gohrab | 2009 |
| Attar (c. 1145 - 1221) | Persian poet and Sufi from Nishapur. Note: Bahá'u'lláh's "Seven Valleys" follows the structure of the Persian poem "The Conference of the Birds", with some variations | B. Reinert | 1987 |
| Rumi (1207 – 1273) | Sufi poet who died in Konya (present-day Turkey) | Multiple authors, incl. William C. Chittick | 2014 |
| Sadi (Saadi; 1210 – c. 1291) | Persian poet from Shiraz | Paul Losensky | 2000 |
| Hafez (1315 - 1390) | Persian poet and mystic from Shiraz | Multiple authors, incl. Franklin Lewis | 2002 |
| Goethe (1749-1832) | German poet, inspired by Sadi | Hamid Tafazoli | 2001 |
| Calligraphy | History of Persian calligraphy | Golām-Ḥosayn Yūsofī | 1990 |
| Paper | Paper, invented in China, spread to Iran and throughout Asia before the Islamic period. Its usage in the Iranian world before printing and its papermaking process are discussed. | Jonathan Bloom, Willem Floor | 2005, 2017 |
| Cut paper | Ornamental technique found in Persian manuscripts and bookbindings from the late 15th to the mid-17th centuries | Barbara Schmitz | 1993 |
| Pen (qalam) | Reed pen used in calligraphy; also bird quills are discussed | Sina Goudarzi, Bahram Grami | 2016 |
| Bookbinding 1 | Bookbinding in Iran evolved with Persian designs, including blind tooling and Timurid innovations like sophisticated stamping and cutwork | Duncan Haldane | 1989 |
| Bookbinding 2 | Bookbinding involves crafting covers for new books or repairing old ones. Persian bookbinders worked with leather, cloth, and various ornamentation techniques. | Iraj Afshar | 2005 |
| Lithography 1 | Lithography in Persia began in 1821, expanding rapidly with private presses, contributing to diverse book production until the early 20th century | Olimpiada P. Shcheglova | 2009 |
| Lithography 2 | In 19th-20th century India, lithography boomed, especially in Lucknow and Bombay, printing diverse Persian books. Educational and theological texts dominated production. | Olimpiada P. Shcheglova | 2009 |
| Evil eye (casm zakm) | Historical roots of the concept of the evil eye in various cultures, and preventive measures against harm | Ebrāhīm Šakūrzāda, Mahmoud Omidsalar | 1990 |
| Charms | Cultural and historical aspects of charms in Persian traditions | Mahmoud Omidsalar | 1991 |
| Dreams | In Persian tradition dreams shape destinies, holding cultural significance, and inspiring believers in Shi'ism. | Hossein Ziai | 1995 |
| Magic | Magic in literature and folklore during the Islamic period; challenges of defining magic and its connection to science and religion; the distinction between high magic, rooted in philosophical traditions, and folk magic, transmitted orally | Mahmud Omidsalar | 2005 |
| Astrology and astronomy | The development of astronomy and astrology in Iran, highlighting influences from Hellenistic, Indian, and Persian traditions | D. Pingree, C. J. Brunner | 1987 |
| Planets | Historical understanding and influence of planets | Antonio Panaino | 2016 |
| Zodiac | The historical development of the Zodiac, its association with astronomy, astrology, and its impact on Iranian calendars and cosmology | Antonio Panaino | 2009 |
| Henry Corbin (1903 - 1978) | French philosopher and orientalist, interpreter of the Persian role in the development of Islamic thought | Daryush Shayegan | 1993 |
| Aleksandr Tumanski (Alexander Tumansky) (1861 - 1920) | Russian orientalist who translated Persian literature and Bahá'í works, notably Bahá'u'lláh's Kitáb-i-Aqdas (1899) | Jahangir Dorri | 2009 |
Iran, Persian culture etc.
| Article | Description and comments | Authors | Year |
| Iran | Geography, history, culture, people, languages, religions, art, music. | Multiple authors | 2004 |
| Iranian history: Chronological table | Timeline, including index of proper names | Ehsan Yarshater | 2004 |
| Historiography | Historiography of Iran, spanning from pre-Islamic to the 20th century, examining narrative evolution and Western influences | Multiple authors, incl. Abbas Amanat and Sholeh Quinn | 2003 |
| Archeology | Archaeological research methods and findings across various historical periods in Iran and Central Asia | Multiple authors | 1986 |
| Boundaries | Boundaries of Iran with the Ottoman Empire, Russia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Turkey. | Multiple authors | 1989 |
| Isfahan | Isfahan, a historic city in central Iran, geography, history, population, monuments, and cultural aspects | Multiple authors | 2006 |
| Shiraz | History of the city of Shiraz until 1940 | A. Shapur Shahbazi | 2004 |
| Tabriz | Iranian city, article discusses the 19th century | James D. Clark | 2014 |
| Tehran | Capital city of Iran | Xavier de Planhol | 2004 |
| Ctesiphon | Overview of the ancient city of Ctesiphon, situated on the Tigris near modern Baghdad | Jens Kröger | 1993 |
| Persepolis | Renowned archaeological site northeast of Shiraz, Iran; a center of power and culture, built by Achaemenid Persian kings | A. Shapur Shahbazi | 2009 |
| Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.) | Alexander the Great conquered Persia, seizing key cities and defeating Darius III, reshaping the region. See also Eskander-nama (Alexander Romance). | P. Briant | 1985 |
| Kariz | Underground irrigation canals; their significance in agriculture and water management | Xavier de Planhol | 2011 |
| Ziggurat | Terraced temple-towers in Mesopotamia | Michael Herles | 2000 |
| Architecture | Chronological overview of Iranian architecture | Multiple authors | 1986 |
| Art | History of Persian art and architecture | Multiple authors | 1986 |
| Iranian identity | Iranian identity as a collective feeling of belonging to the historic lands of Iran, shaped by common historical experiences, cultural traditions, and mythologies shared among Iranian peoples | Multiple authors | 2000 |
| Human migration | Three types of human migration related to Iran: internal migration, immigration, and emigration | Mehdi Aman, Habibollah Zanjani | 2004 |
| Diaspora | Iranian diaspora across history and regions, including India, Southeast Asia, Ottoman Turkey, Iraq, and worldwide | Multiple authors | 1995 |
| Education | Education in Iranian-speaking regions, spanning ancient to modern times, covering traditional schools, modern education systems, and women's education | Multiple authors | 1997 |
| Health | Health in Iran across historical periods: Pre-Islamic, Medieval, Qajar, and Pahlavi eras | Multiple authors | 2003 |
| Women in Shi'ism | Shi'ite ideology theoretically favors women, but societal norms often limit their rights. Modern debates engage Shi'ite thought, feminism, and societal shifts | Moojan Momen | 2001 |
| Cador | Traditional female garment in Iran, tracing back to pre-Islamic times | Bijan Gheiby, James R. Russell, Hamid Algar | 1990 |
| Gender relations | Gender relations in modern Persia; complex dynamics shaped by tradition, religion, and modernization | Farzaneh Milani | 2000 |
| Feminist movements | Persian feminist movements, spanning the late 19th to 20th century, addressing education, employment, suffrage, and family laws | Encyclopaedia Iranica, Janet Afary | 1999 |
| Class system in the Qajar period | The text outlines class systems across Persian history, including the Avesta, Achaemenid, Parthian, Sasanian, medieval Islamic, Qajar, and Pahlavi periods | Multiple authors | 1991 |
| Personal names | Iranian personal names, including Avestan, Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sasanian | Rüdiger Schmitt | 2005 |
| Khanum (title) | General title of respect for women; formerly a title for elite women | C. Edmund Bosworth | 2010 |
| Khan (title) | Historical and social contexts of the title "Khan," from its significance in Mongol and Safavid eras to its modern usage in Central Asia and India | Gene R. Garthwaite | 2017 |
| Household in the Qajar period | The Qajar household was patriarchal, with gender-segregated areas (biruni and andaruni). Women managed traditions, servants handled daily tasks, while men supervised and entertained guests. | Shireen Mahdavi | 2009 |
| Carpets | Persian carpets; materials, techniques, designs, regional variations, historical periods, Islamic Persia's influence | Multiple authors | 1990 |
| Decoration | The significance of decoration in Islamic Persian art and architecture, its evolution over different historical periods, and its integration of diverse influences | Priscilla P. Soucek | 1994 |
| Etiquette | Evolution of Persian etiquette, rooted in Sasanian customs, shaped by Islamic dynasties, blending tradition with Islamic principles and Western influence | Multiple authors | 1998 |
| Ta'arof | Ta'arof encompasses linguistic deference and social gestures, emphasizing status differentials and hospitality, serving as a social lubricant with strategic implications | William Beeman | 2017 |
| Gift giving | An overview of gift giving in Persia, from pre-Islamic to early modern times | Multiple authors | 2016 |
| Humor | Humor in Persian culture, from classical to modern times, covering its diverse forms, social functions, and evolution under various influences | J. T. P. de Bruijn | 2004 |
| Mulla Nasreddin | A beloved figure in Persian and Middle Eastern folklore, is known for his wit and humor, often imparting lessons through his tales | Hasan Javadi | 2009 |
| Clothing | Overview of clothing in various periods and regions of Iran and neighboring areas, covering historical, cultural, and ethnic aspects | Multiple authors | 1992 |
| Turban ('amama) | The cultural significance and historical evolution of the turban in Islamic societies, its symbolism and variations | H. Algar | 1989 |
| Pearl (marjan) | Pearls symbolized beauty, purity, and perfection, in historical texts and jewelry; diving techniques, pearling vessels, and seasonal activities | Brigitte Musche, Daniel T. Potts | 2008 |
| Silk (abrisam) | Etymology, trade, production, utilization in Iranian crafts and textiles | W. Eilers, M. Bazin and C. Bromberger, D. Thompson | 1983 |
| Rose water (golab) | Rose water from Persian roses, is used in cuisine, medicine, and religious rituals | Hušang A'lam | 2001 |
| Perfume ('atr) | Ancient origins and diverse extraction methods | F. Aubaile-Sallenave | 1987 |
| Soap (sabun) | Soap production in Persia dates back to antiquity; modernization in the Qajar era led to industry growth | Willem Floor | 2005 |
| Cosmetics | Cosmetics in Persian tradition were used for beautification, especially for brides. Rituals included hair removal, henna, eyebrow dyeing, and applying kohl and rouge for weddings. | Multiple authors | 1993 |
| Henna | Origin, medical and cosmetic uses, cultural significance in wedding ceremonies, and historical practices across regions | Hušang 'Alam | 2003 |
| Bathhouses | Historical, architectural, and social aspects of bathhouses in Iran, including their pre-Islamic origins, layout, staff, and cultural significance | W. Floor, W. Kleiss | 1988 |
| Coffeehouses (qahva kana) | The history of Persian coffeehouses, from centers of culture to decline due to social change and modernization | 'Alī Āl-e Dawūd | 1992 |
| Bazar | The origin of "bazar" as "market," its functions, organization, and socio-economic roles | Multiple authors | 1989 |
| Caravan | Organized collective transports of people and goods, primarily using camels, for trade and pilgrimage; usage declined with the rise of modern transportation | Bert G. Fragner | 1990 |
| Caravansary | A caravansary, crucial for travelers, provided lodging along trade and pilgrimage routes. They varied in design and function, from fortified stops to luxurious inns, reflecting historical, architectural, and regional influences | Moḥammad-Yūsuf Kīānī, Wolfram Kleiss | 1990 |
| Garden (bag) - 1 | Gardens, for pleasure, with ornamental layouts and architectural elements, influenced literature and art, notably in Persian culture and its impact on Indian gardens | Multiple authors | 2000 |
| Garden (bag) - 2 | Etymology, general characteristics, and its role in Persian literature, symbolizing beauty, tranquility, and abundance | Multiple authors | 1988 |
| Desert | Overview of Iranian deserts, their characteristics, historical significance, human impact, and cultural perceptions | Brian Spooner | 1994 |
| Nomadism | Seasonal livestock herding by ethnic groups in Iran, sustaining livelihoods through traditional migration patterns | Eckart Ehlers | 2011 |
| Castles | Development of Iranian castles, architectural evolution, defensive strategies, and influences from various civilizations | Wolfram Kleiss | 1990 |
| Palace architecture | Iranian palace architecture, functional aspects, layout, and cultural continuity across historical periods, from Achaemenid to Safavid times | Dietrich Huff | 2008 |
| Courts and courtiers | Iranian court systems from ancient to modern times, including cultural elements like court poetry | Multiple authors | 1993 |
| Scribe (dabir) | The role of dabirs, secretaries and scribes, in pre-Islamic and Islamic periods, their functions and privileges | Aḥmad Tafazzoli, Hashem Rajabzadeh | 1993 |
| Harem | Housed wives and female associates in aristocratic families and royal quarters | Multiple authors | 2003 |
| Falcon (baz) | Bird of prey, which held cultural significance | Hūšang A'lam | 1989 |
| Falconry (bazdari) | Prestigious art and sport in Iran, flourishing in pre-Islamic and Islamic eras among rulers and aristocrats | Hūšang A'lam | 1989 |
| Banners ('alam, derafs) | Banners guided troops amidst dust; their colors and emblems symbolized identity and authority, evolving from early to late medieval periods | A. S. Melikian-Chirvani | 1988 |
| Begging | Begging in early Islam, Sufism, and in later Iran | Multiple authors | 1989 |
| Darvis | The term "darvis" evolved from pre-Islamic asceticism to Islamic Sufism, signifying spiritual poverty and detachment, often involving mendicancy | Mansour Shaki, Hamid Algar) | 1994 |
| Games (bazi) | Games for small children; games for older children and adults; ceremonial games; theatrical games; games of intelligence | Fereydūn Vahman | 1989 |
| Farman | Decrees issued by rulers, their structure, typology, historical development, seals, and writing materials used | Bert G. Fragner | 1999 |
| Fatwa | Rulings on Islamic jurisprudence | Hamid Algar | 1999 |
| Weights and measures | Ancient Near Eastern standards for weight, capacity, and length; their evolution through pre-Islamic periods | A. D. H. Bivar | 2000 |
| Communication | Historical development of communication infrastructure in Persia, covering postal service, telegraph, telephone, press, radio, and television | Annabelle Sreberny-Mohammadi and 'Alī Mohammadi | 1992 |
| Telegraph | Mirza Malkom Khan introduced telegraph to Persia in 1858, expanding to Tabriz by 1860, enabling swift communication within the country and beyond | Soli Shahvar | 2009 |
| Railroads | The first railway in Iran, built by a Belgian company, linked Tehran to Shah 'Abd-al-'Azim in 1888. Despite challenges like difficult terrain and local superstitions, it operated until 1962. | Soli Shahvar | 2008 |
| Lighting and heating | Iran's historical lighting sources, transitioning from oils and candles to kerosene and gas | Willem Floor | 2005 |
| Edward Gibbon (1737 - 1794) | Gibbon's "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" explores Persia's relations with Byzantium, including military and diplomatic interactions. His conclusions remain relevant. | Michael Rogers | 2001 |
Relations with other regions and countries
| Article | Description and comments | Authors | Year |
| Ottoman Persian relations - 1 | Relations during the reigns of Sultan Selim I and Shah Esma'il I | Osman G. Özgüdenli | 2006 |
| Ottoman Persian relations - 2 | Relations during the Afsharid and Zand periods | Ernest Tucker | 2005 |
| Persian manuscripts - Ottoman | The rich collection of Persian manuscripts in Ottoman and Turkish libraries, detailing their origins, acquisition, and cultural influence | Osman G. Özgüdenli | 2005 |
| Topkapi Palace | The residence of the Ottoman sultans in Istanbul (Constantinople), Turkey; Persian artifacts, including diplomatic gifts, manuscripts, Qur'ans, weaponry, and textiles, showcasing centuries of cultural exchange | Zeren Tanındı | 2008 |
| Turkic contacts | Linguistic interactions between Iranian and Turkic languages, detailing influences, borrowing, and sociocultural impacts throughout history | John R. Perry | 2006 |
| Iraq | Iraq's historical relationship with Iran, spanning from ancient eras to modern times, including cultural, political, and societal dimensions | Multiple authors | 2000 |
| Karbala | Sacred Shiite city in Iraq | Meir Litvak | 2010 |
| Atabat | Sacred Shiite shrine cities in Iraq, including Najaf, Karbala, Kazemayn, and Samarra, housing the tombs of important Imams. They hold significance in pilgrimage, scholarship, and religious authority within Shiism. | H. Algar | 1987 |
| Euphrates | River in Iraq | Samuel N. C. Lieu | 1998 |
| Tigris | River in Iraq | Daniel T. Potts | 2006 |
| Israel | Diplomatic ties, the Jewish Persian community, Iranian studies, and Persian art collections | Multiple authors | 2007 |
| Ishqabad (Ashkhabad) | Capital city of Turkmenistan since 1924 | B. Spuler | 1987 |
| Persian image of Europe | Persian views of Europe evolved from stereotypes to nuanced understanding. Later, admiration for Western progress spurred reform efforts in Persia. | Rudi Matthee | 1998 |
| Asia Minor | Historical influence of Iranians in Anatolia | M. Weiskopf | 1987 |
| Central Asia | Geography, history, economy, language, literature, music, and relations with Persia | Multiple authors | 1990 |
| Southeast Asia - 1 | Persian cultural influences in Southeast Asia, including language, trade, and religious practices, historical ties and linguistic borrowings | M. Ismail Marcinkowski | 2004 |
| Southeast Asia - 2 | Southeast Asia's Islamization; Shi'ite influences alongside Sunni traditions | M. Ismail Marcinkowski | 2004 |
| East India Company (British) | The British East India Company, formed in 1600, aimed to export English woolen cloths and import goods from the East Indies | R. W. Ferrier, John R. Perry | 1996 |
| East India Company (French) | The French East India | Anne Kroell | 1996 |
| Afghanistan | Geography, flora, fauna, languages, history, literature, and diverse cultures | Multiple authors | 1983 |
| Arab | Arab-Iranian interactions from pre-Islamic times to modern times | Multiple authors | 1986 |
| Arabia | Arabia's significance during the Achaemenid and Sasanian periods | Multiple authors | 2000 |
| Shiites in Arabia | Shi'ite presence in Arabian regions like Ḥejāaz, Bahrain, Yemen, and other Gulf States; historical context, challenges, and contemporary developments | Werner Ende | 2004 |
| Armenia - 1 | Armenia's history, pre-Islamic era, religion, Iranian linguistic influences, Armenian accounts of Iran, and Armeno-Iranian relations post-Islam | Multiple authors | 1986 |
| Armenia - 2 | The image of Persia in Armenia | Robert Thomson | 2002 |
| Armenia - 3 (women) | Armenian women in Persia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries | Houri Berberian | 2009 |
| Austria - 1 | Austrian-Persian relations; alliances, arms trade, and diplomatic negotiations, commerce, and cultural exchanges | Helmut Slaby | 2005 |
| Austria - 2 | Austrian Iranian Studies | X. Tremblay and N. Rastegar | 2005 |
| Azerbaijan | Azerbaijan's historical complexities, from its Achaemenid origins to the Soviet annexation, covering territorial shifts, linguistic changes, and geopolitical dynamics | Multiple authors | 1987 |
| Bahrain | Bahrain's geography, Shi'ite population, and historical relations with Iran | X. De Planhol, J.A. Kechichian | 1988 |
| Belgium | Diplomatic relations between Belgium and Iran, focusing on the period from the late 19th century to the eve of World War II: Technical assistance to Iran in areas like customs, postal service, treasury, cadastral survey sanitation, administrative reforms | Annette Destrée | 1989 |
| China | Chinese-Iranian relations from pre-Islamic to modern times; including trade, diplomatic ties, cultural exchanges, Persian settlements, language teaching, and artistic influences | Multiple authors | 1991 |
| Denmark | Danish-Persian relations; political diplomacy, economic ties, Iranian studies in Denmark, archaeology, language | Fereydun Vahman, Jes P. Asmussen) | 1994 |
| France | France's historical and contemporary relations with Persia; diplomatic, cultural, educational, and linguistic exchanges, archaeological missions, the Persian community in France | Multiple authors | 2000 |
| Germany | German-Iranian relations; diplomacy, archaeology, Iranian studies, travel, art, literature, cultural influence, expatriates, and immigrant communities | Multiple authors | 2000 |
| Great Britain | British influence in Persia from the Safavid era to the present, covering diplomatic relations, cultural exchanges, archaeological excavations, Iranian studies, art collections, and the Persian community in Britain | Multiple authors | 2000 |
| Greece | The relationship between Greece and the Persian Empire, covering political and cultural interactions, influences on philosophy, literature, art, architecture, medicine, language, and scientific exchange between the two civilizations | Multiple authors | 2002 |
| Hellenism | Greek culture's adoption in the 2nd century BCE, fostering mutual cultural enrichment with Eastern civilizations | Laurianne Martinez-Sève) | 2003 |
| Hungary | |||
| India | India's relations with Iran, spanning historical, political, cultural, commercial, literary, artistic, and societal aspects across various periods and influences | Multiple authors | 2004 |
| Bombay, Persian communities of | Zoroastrian and Persian Muslim communities in Mumbai (Bombay), India | John R. Hinnells, Momin Mohiuddin and Ismail K. Poonawala | 1989 |
| Parsi communities - 1 | History of the Zoroastrian community in India, starting from around the 8th to 10th centuries | John R. Hinnells | 2008 |
| Parsi communities - 2 | The Parsi community of Kolkata (Calcutta) | Jesse S. Palsetia | 2006 |
| Italy | Italy's relations with Iran; diplomacy, trade, cultural exchange, travel accounts, Iranian studies, manuscripts, art collections, and academic centers | Multiple authors | 2007 |
| Japan | Japan and Iran share diplomatic, commercial, and cultural ties, including travel, archeological missions, academic studies, book collections, art, and literary translations | Multiple authors | 2008 |
| Lebanon | Shi'ites in Lebanon,the largest religious group in Lebanon | Sabrina Mervin) | 2005 |
| Netherlands - 1 | Dutch-Persian relations, trade, linguistic studies, limited documentation, and Persians' presence in the Netherlands | Willem Floor | 1996 |
| Netherlands - 2 | Dutch archives on Iran and Dutch-Persian relations, covering V.O.C. documents, consular records, private papers, and post-1800 materials | Willem Floor | 2000 |
| Poland | Iranian Studies in Poland | Anna Krasnowolska | 2000 |
| Portugal | Portuguese-Persian relations in the early Modern Age (1500-1750) | Joao Teles e Cunha | 2009 |
| Romania | Romanian-Iranian relations; economic, political contacts, Queen Marie, cultural interest in Persian literature, reflected in translations and collections. There is a separate article about Queen Marie. | Keith Hitchins, Della L. Marcus | 2014, 2015 |
| Russia | Russo-Iranian relations | Multiple authors | 2000 |
| Spain | Spanish relations with Persia in the 16th and 17th centuries | José Cutillas Ferrer | 2018 |
| Sweden | Swedish relations with Persia | Multiple authors | 2000 |
| Tajikistan | Tajikistan's Islamic history since 1917 reflects Soviet suppression, impacting education, religious practices; post-Soviet political and religious developments | Muriel Atkin | 2005 |
| Thailand | Iran's historical ties with Thailand; Persian merchants influenced trade, culture, and diplomacy, shaping Siamese society | M. Ismail Marcinkowski | 2002 |
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