A Comparative Study of the Sassanian Stamp Seal Designs with Drawings in Abd al-Rahman Sufi’s Sovar al-Kavakeb

Stamp seals are incredibly significant as a category of archeological finds because of their various motifs andfunctions, and inquiry into such glyptic evidence will help reconstruct different aspects of human life. During theSassanian period, stamp seals were made of precious and semi-precious stones in different shapes and designs. Inthis descriptive, comparative and analytical study, the data was collected through library research, and the authorsattempted to study, analyze and compare the designs on several Sassanian stamp seals with the depictions ofconstellation signs in Abd al-Rahman Sufi’s famous book Sovar al-Kavakeb. The results show strong similaritiesbetween the considered glyptic designs and astronomical symbols. On account of the Sassanian’s deep belief inastrology and the role the constellations played in their lifestyle and ruling system, it is conceivable that suchstamp seals served apotropaic purposes and were related with Sassanian’s astrological beliefs connected withpredicting good and bad days. The main purpose behind the application of these designs was most probably toseek the support and protection from constellations. Associating these glyptic designs with constellations is furthersupported by a series of animal motifs such as scorpions, snakes and bears which did not held any position in theSassanian belief system, demonstrating that these motifs were designed for astrological prognostications. Forexample, from the Sassanian point of view, the motif of scorpion and snake form the class of vermin, and devilishanimals and bears symbolize ruin and corruption. Therefore, such evil representing motifs were employed for noreasons other than their relation to the constellations and astrological prophecies.