What Is the Symbol of Shiraz?

Shiraz is the capital of Fars province in southern Iran, which is the fourth largest city in Iran, with a population of about 1.5 million people. This city, with a long history and rich culture, is known as one of the most important tourist centers of Iran, and many famous attractions of this city are known as the symbol of Shiraz. Traveling to Shiraz is a very attractive and exciting experience that gives you the opportunity to visit tourist attractions, learn about Iranian culture and art, and also enjoy the beautiful nature of this city.

Every year, millions of domestic and foreign tourists travel to this city. The name of Shiraz can be seen in the oldest books and museums in the world. Also, in Shiraz, there are delicious local foods, traditional markets, traditional accommodation centers, and many national and world heritage sites where you can gain important information and knowledge about the history of Iran. In the following, we will introduce the symbols of Shiraz and why Shiraz is such a famous city.

The Symbol of Shiraz Name

Studies on everything about Shiraz and the history of Shiraz show that there are different narratives about the construction of Shiraz and its foundation. The first discovered tablets related to the old names of Shiraz are Elamite clay tablets from 4 thousand years ago. The name on these tablets refers to the name of Tirazis. It is predicted that Tirazis changed phonetically during different periods and reached the modern name of Shiraz.

Also, the narrations of Shiraz being built by Ibn Tahmuras, the third greatest king in the world, consider the reason for the name of Shiraz to be the name of the son of Tahmuras. The second version says that the main reason for naming the city is the existence of a castle with this name in the place where it was founded. Evidence of inscriptions bearing the name Shiraz has been found in Persepolis and Elamite clay tablets of ancient cities, which is a strong document of the long history of the beautiful name of Shiraz, which means the center of grapes.

The Symbol of Shiraz in Islam

The symbol of Shiraz in Islam is often associated with the tomb of Hafez, a famous Persian poet. The tomb of Hafez, located in Shiraz, is an important pilgrimage site for Muslims and poetry lovers. Deeply imbued with Sufi themes and spiritual insights, Hafez’s poetry has resonated with many Muslims around the world.

Hafez Shirazi Tomb in Shiraz

His tomb serves as a symbol of spiritual enlightenment, love, and wisdom in Islamic culture and attracts visitors who seek inspiration and connection with the divine through his timeless verses.

What is Shiraz Known for?

The symbology of Shiraz has a rich historical and cultural significance. One of its prominent symbols is the fragrant and green Persian gardens, which reflect the poetic beauty and aesthetic appeal of the city. Another symbol is the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, famous for its stunning architecture and colorful stained glass windows that reflect the city’s spiritual heritage and Islamic influence.

In addition, Shiraz is symbolized by its renowned poets, such as Hafez and Saadi, whose immortal verses celebrate love, wisdom, and the human experience and embody the city’s literary legacy and artistic talent. Moreover, the symbol of Shiraz is drawn to its vineyards and grape cultivation, which is a symbol of fertility, abundance, and pleasures of life. Together, these symbols include the essence of Shiraz as a city of beauty, spirituality, creativity, and cultural richness.

Orange Blossom Trees

One of the most important natural symbols of the city of Shiraz is its orange blossom trees, which are considered one of the identity elements of the city of Shiraz; a feature that has made many consider spring the best season to travel to Shiraz and is the most lovely symbol of Shiraz.

There is almost no street in Shiraz that does not have orange blossom trees. A tree for which legends and tales have been written, among which we can mention the myth of the marriage of the orange blossoms. This tree was and still is so important for the people of Shiraz that its fruit, or so-called bearing fruit, was also very important for them. In ancient times, the people of Shiraz even wrote rituals and myths for the fertility of these trees.

City of Culture and Literature

Shiraz has been a city of writers and scholars since the beginning of its history. World geographers such as Ibn Hawqal and Tedesco have given Shiraz the title of Dar al-Ulama (House of Knowledge) in their travelogues and documents. In the 13th century, Shiraz was the capital and center of science and art.

Persepolis Photos in Shiraz

In the 13th century, due to the existence of famous artists and scholars in Shiraz, this city has been a leader in the development of science and literature.

Undoubtedly, the influence of empires such as the Achaemenid Empire, Sassanians, and Zands on the cultural and artistic progress of Shiraz cannot be ignored. It is true that Shiraz has its literature and culture from poets such as Hafez and Saadi, but if it were not for the presence of Achaemenids, Sasanians, and Zands, the progress of civilization would not have been seen in Shiraz.

Hafez Shirazi

Hafez, also known as Khwāja Hafez-e Shirazi, is a renowned poet from Shiraz who lived around 727 AH. Hafez is one of the most influential poets in the history of Iran; it can be boldly said that he has influenced a large percentage of poets after him. The most important work left by Hafez is Divan-e-Hafez. Hafez’s poems are mostly written in ghazal (quatrain) form.

Hafez’s poems are very important in Western literature. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Hafez’s poems were translated into European languages, such as English and French. The tomb of Hafez is located in the city of Shiraz and is known as Hafeziyeh and is a famous symbol of Shiraz.

Tomb of Hafez Photos

Another interesting point to note is Hafez’s strange effectiveness of the Qur’an to the extent that one of the reasons for choosing the title of Hafez for him is that he memorized the Qur’an in several different ways. According to some experts and writers, Hafez’s revolution in ghazal, which is the composition of verses with independent meaning, was influenced by the style of the Qur’an.

Nevertheless, Hafez should not be considered independent of ancient Iranian culture. The interesting thing is that the fame and influence of Hafez started during his lifetime, and his work reached the Indian subcontinent at the same time, and the poets of those lands tried to use the characteristics of Hafez’s poetry.

Saadi Shirazi

Saadi Shirazi, also known as the Master of Speech, is a great poet and master from Shiraz. Saadi was born in 606 AH. Saadi Shirazi was one of the famous preachers of the Islamic world in his time. This great poet is famous among writers and poets for his eloquence and skillful storytelling.

The surviving works of Saadi include Golestan, Boostan, and Ghazaliat of Saadi. There are anecdotes and moral teachings in Golestan and Boostan books, which are very attractive and listenable to readers. Saadi passed away in Shiraz in 690 AH. The tomb of Saadi is located in the city of Shiraz named Saadieh.

Saadi Shirazi Tomb

His works have long been taught in schools and libraries as a source of teaching Persian language and literature, and many common proverbs in the Persian language are derived from his poems and writings. Saadi should be considered a master of simplistic writing, attractive simplistic writing, which, of course, is a unique art full of interesting points.

Saadi also gained a lot of fame and respect during his lifetime, and his works spread to India, Asia Minor, and Central Asia. The interesting point here is that Hafez was one of the poets who turned to writing ghazal under the influence of Saadi’s style and initially drew inspiration from Saadi. These famous Persian poets are both the symbol of Shiraz.

Sightseeing and Tourism in Shiraz

Shiraz has many places to see and watch that are world-famous; in the following, we introduce some of the most famous historical attractions of Shiraz:

Pasargadae: The city of Pars or Pasargadae is located 136 km from the Shiraz-Isfahan road and contains one of the most famous historical monuments of Iran, the tomb of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire.

Persepolis: The largest ancient building in Iran that represents the history of the city and is located 60 km from Shiraz, is Persepolis. This building is a combination of the architecture of civilizations covered by Achaemenid.

Shapouri Mansion: One of the must-see places in Shiraz that was built during the first Pahlavi period. The architecture of this building is very spectacular and unique and it belonged to the rich Shapouri family until 1999.

Ilkhani Garden: It is one of the most attractive places to visit in Shiraz, and dates back to the Qajar period. This beautiful garden is a memory of Mohammad Ali Khan Eilkhani Qashqai and is located in the Sibagh-e Shiraz neighborhood.

Karim Khan Citadel: Arg of Karim Khan is one of the largest brick historical buildings in Shiraz. The outer building is 12 meters high. In this citadel, a tilted tower can be seen. This tower is tilted 30 degrees, and that is why it is famous.

Karim Khan Citadel in Shiraz

Baba Kouhi Mausoleum: One of the most attractive places to see in this city is on the Sabouri Mountain of Shiraz and on the left side of the Qur’an Gate, which dates back to the Deylamian period. There are two caves in this mountain; in one of these caves, there are two tombs known as Baba Kouhi.

Jahan Nama Garden: This garden is located near Hafezieh and is considered one of the most beautiful gardens in Shiraz. Jahan Nama Garden, with the octagonal mansion inside, is very spectacular.

Shiraz National Garden: Among the sights of this city, Shiraz National Garden is considered one of the best and coziest places to see. This garden is located at the Hafezieh intersection and is considered one of the largest and most beautiful parks in Shiraz. In this garden, there are old cypress trees and tall pine trees, which show the age of this garden.

Shah Cheragh: Shah Cheragh is a pilgrimage and religious place in Shiraz, housing the tomb of Ahmad ibn Musa Kazim, the elder son of the seventh Imam and brother of Imam Reza (AS). The architecture of the shrine is very beautiful and eye-catching and has plastering and mirror works with lights from all corners of this shrine.

Famous Foods of Shiraz

One of the most famous foods belonging to Shiraz is Faloodeh Shirazi, a sweet dessert with many fans throughout Iran. Another popular dish among the people is Salad Shirazi, a tasty and flavorful salad made with diced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and herbs with lemon juice and olive oil.

Additionally, Shiraz offers a variety of delicacies meals and local specialties, including Kalam Polo (cabbage rice), Dopiaz-e Aloo (potato stew), Shirin Polo (sweet rice pilaf), Ghormeh Be, Yakhni Nokhod (chickpea stew), Lubia Polo (rice with green beans), Robb-e Polo (beetroot rice), Shirazi Polo (Shirazi rice), Eshkeneh, Havij Polo (carrot rice), Kofteh Halou (meatballs with plums), Kofteh Sabzi (meatballs with herbs), and Dampokhtak (lamb and vegetable stew). These dishes show the rich culinary tradition and various flavors of Shiraz.

Shiraz Gardens

Shiraz is not only decorated with beautiful, cultural, historical, and traditional buildings but also has many stunning gardens. These gardens add to the charm of the city. They play a significant role in representing the symbol of Shiraz.

Shiraz Garden Photos

Some of the notable gardens include the Eram Botanical Garden, the Jahan Nama Garden, the Afifabad Garden, the Delgosha Garden, the Narenjestan Garden, the gardens of Qasr al-Dasht, and the recently established Chamran Gardens, alongside Shiraz flower gardens, which have been operational for almost two years. These gardens are considered unique beauties of the city and add to its charm and appeal.

Shiraz Spring

Spring in Shiraz is a time of unique beauty when nature wakes up from its winter sleep to paint the city with vivid colors and sweet fragrances. The arrival of spring brings a storm of life to the gardens, orchards, and parks of Shiraz, as cherry blossoms, tulips, and roses bloom in abundance. The air is filled with the fragrance of citrus blossoms and jasmine, and the gentle breeze carries the melody of birds chirping.

As the days grow longer and warmer, families and friends gather in the gardens to enjoy picnics amidst blooming flowers and lush greenery. Spring in Shiraz is truly a wonderful experience, where the city comes alive with new promise and joy.

Final Word

Shiraz is a historical, beautiful, and green city with a pleasant climate, delicious food, and kind people with a sweet accent who are famous for hospitality. The city of Shiraz has long been the place of residence of many poets and intellectuals of Iran. Some even consider the freshness, purity, and beauty of this city to inspire poets like Hafez to create original poems. This city has been the capital of Iran in different historical periods, and this has caused many historical buildings to exist in it.

All these factors have made Shiraz one of the main tourist destinations among Iranians. A trip to Shiraz requires planning since without it you will probably get confused among the many sights and tourist attractions of this city. In this article, we tried to tell you about the symbols and attractions of this beautiful city, so that you can plan to visit this city and enjoy its historical monuments and sights.

Are you planning to travel to Iran and looking for an Iran Travel Agency? Please read things to do in Shiraz and Check out our Iran tours.