Culture of Iran

Theculture of Iran(Persian:فرهنگ ایران) orculture of Persiais one of the oldest and among the most influential in the world.Iran(Persia) is widely regarded as one of thecradles of civilization.Due to its dominantgeopolitical positionin the world, it has heavily influenced peoples and cultures situated inSouthern EuropeEastern Europeto the west;Central Asiato the north; andSouth Asia,East Asia, andSoutheast Asiato the east.Iranian historyhas significantly influence on the world throughart,architecture,poetry,science and technology,medicine,philosophy, andengineering.
An eclectic cultural elasticity has been said to be one of the key defining characteristics of the Iranian identity and a clue to its historical longevity.Furthermore, Iran's culture has manifested itself in several facets throughout the history of theIranian Plateauas well as of theSouth Caucasus, West Asia, and Central Asia.
The history of Iran's culture is marked by the influence of ancient civilizations such as theElamitesandPersians, as well as theAchaemenidandSassanianempires.
TheArab conquestin the 7th century introduced Islamic traditions, which merged with pre-Islamic customs. This fusion resulted in a distinct cultural identity characterized by significant contributions toliterature,art, and philosophy.Iran has historically served as a center of culture and learning, impacting the surrounding region.
Iran has one of the oldest, richest, and most influentialartheritages in the world,which encompasses many disciplines includingliterature,music,dance,architecture,painting,weaving,pottery,calligraphy,metalworking,embroidery, andStonemasonry.
Iranian art has gone through numerous phases, which is evident from the unique aesthetics of Iran. From theElamiteChogha Zanbilto theMedianandAchaemenidreliefs ofPersepolisto themosaicsofBishapur.
TheIslamic Golden Agebrought drastic changes to the styles and practice of the arts. However, each Iranian dynasty had its own particular foci, building upon the previous dynasty's, all of which during their times were heavily influential in shaping the cultures of the world then and today.
Several languages are spoken throughout Iran, including languages from theIranian,Turkic, andSemiticlanguage families. According to theCIA World Factbook, 78% of Iranians speak an Iranian language as theirnative tongue, 18% speak a Turkic language as their native tongue and 2% speak a Semitic language as their native tongue while the remaining 2% speak languages from various other groups.Although theAzerbaijanisspeak a Turkic language, due to their culture, history, and genetics, they are often associated with theIranian people.
The predominant language and national language of Iran isPersian, which is spoken fluently across the country.Azerbaijaniis spoken primarily and widely in the northwest,KurdishandLuriare spoken primarily in the west,MazandaraniandGilakiare spoken in the regions along theCaspian Sea,Arabicprimarily in the Persian Gulf coastal regions,Balochiprimarily in the southeast, andTurkmenprimarily in northern border regions. Smaller languages spread in other regions notably includeTalysh,Georgian,Armenian,Assyrian, andCircassian, amongst others.
Ethnologueestimates that there are 86 Iranian languages, the largest among them beingPersian,Pashto, and theKurdish dialect continuumwith an estimated 150–200 million native speakers of the Iranian languages worldwide.Dialects of Persian are sporadically spoken throughout the region fromChinatoSyriatoRussia, though mainly in theIranian Plateau.
The literature of Iran is one of the world's oldest and most celebratedliteratures, spanning over 2500 years from the manyAchaemenidinscriptions, such as theBehistun inscription, to the celebrated Iranian poets of theIslamic Golden Ageand Modern Iran.Iranian literature has been described as one of the great literature of humanity and one of the four main pillars of world literature.Distinguished ProfessorL.P. Elwell-Suttondescribed the literature of thePersian languageas "one of the richest poetic literature of the world".
Very few literary works ofPre-Islamic Iranhave survived, due partly to the destruction of the libraries ofPersepolisbyAlexander of Macedonduring the era of theAchaemenidsand the subsequentinvasion of Iran by the Arabs in 641, who sought to eradicate all non-Quranic texts.This resulted in all Iranian libraries being destroyed and books either being burnt or thrown into rivers. The only way that Iranians could protect these books was to bury them, but many of the texts were forgotten over time.As soon as circumstances permitted, the Iranians wrote books and assembled libraries.
Iranian literature encompasses a variety of literature in thelanguages used in Iran. Modern Iranian literature includesPersian literature,Azerbaijani literature,Kurdish literature, and the literature of the remaining minority languages.Persianis the predominant and official language of Iran and throughout Iran's history, it has been the nation's most influential literary language. The Persian language has been often dubbed as the most worthy language of the world to serve as a conduit for poetry.Azerbaijani literature has also had an effect on Iran's literature with it being developed highly after Iran's first reunification in 800 years under theSafavid Empire, whose rulers themselves wrote poetry.There remain a few literary works of the extinct Iranian language ofOld Azerithat was used inAzerbaijanprior to the linguistic Turkification of the people of the region.Kurdish literaturehas also had an influence on the literature of Iran incorporating the various Kurdish dialects that are spoken throughout theMiddle East. The earliest works of Kurdish literature are those of the 16th-century poetMalaye Jaziri.
Some notable greats of Iranian poetry who have had major global influence include the likes ofFerdowsi,Saadi,Hafiz,Attar,Nezami,Jami,Rumi,Omar Khayyam,Taleb Amoli,Ubayd Zakani,Shams Tabrizi,RudakiandVahshi Bafqi.These poets have inspired the likes ofGoethe,Ralph Waldo Emerson, and many others.
Contemporary Iranian literature has been influenced by classical Persian poetry, but also reflects the particularities of modern-day Iran, through writers such asHoushang Moradi-Kermani, the most translated modern Iranian author, and poetAhmad Shamlou.
Iranian music has directly influenced the cultures ofWest Asia,Central Asia,Europe, andSouth Asia.It has mainly influenced and built up much of the musical terminology of the neighboring Turkic and Arabic cultures and reached India through the 16th-centuryPersianateMughal Empire, whose court promoted new musical forms by bringing Iranian musicians.
Iran is the place of origin of complex instruments, with the instruments dating back to thethird millennium BC.Severaltrumpetsmade of silver, gold, and copper were found in eastern Iran that are attributed to theOxus civilizationand date back between 2200 and 1750 BC. The use of both vertical and horizontalangular harpshave been documented at the archaeological sites of Madaktu (650 BC) andKul-e Fara(900–600 BC), with the largest collection ofElamiteinstruments documented at Kul-e Fara. Multiple depictions of horizontal harps were also sculpted inAssyrianpalaces, dating back between 865 and 650 BC.
The reign ofSassanianrulerKhosrow IIis regarded as a "golden age" for Iranian music. Sassanid music is where many the many music cultures of the world trace their distant origins. The court of Khosrow II hosted several prominent musicians, including Azad,Bamshad,Barbad,Nagisa, Ramtin, andSarkash. Among these attested names,Barbadis remembered in many documents and has been named as remarkably highly skilled. He was a poet-musician who developedmodal musicand may have invented theluteand the musical tradition that was to transform into the forms ofdastgahandmaqam.He has been credited to have organized a musical system consisting of seven "royal modes" (xosrovāni), 30 derived modes (navā), and 360 melodies (dāstān).
The academicclassical music of Iran, in addition to preservingmelody typesthat are often attributed to Sassanian musicians, is based on the theories of sonic aesthetics as expounded by the likes of Iranian musical theorists in the early centuries after theMuslim conquest of the Sasanian Empire, most notablyAvicenna,Farabi,Qotb-ed-Din Shirazi, andSafi-ed-Din Urmawi.
Iran has a rich and ancient dance culture that extends to thesixth millennium BC. Dances from ancient artifacts, excavated at the archaeological pre-historic sites of Iran, portray a vibrant culture that mixes different forms of dances for all occasions. In conjunction with music, the artifacts depicted actors, dancers, and ordinary people dancing in plays, dramas, celebrations, mourning, and religious rituals with equipment such as costumes of animals or plants, masks, and surrounding objects. As time progressed, this culture of dance began to develop and flourish.
Iran is a multi-ethnic nation. Although the cultures of its ethnic groups are very similar and in most areas nearly identical, each has its own distinct and specific dance style. Iran possesses four categories of dance with these being: group dances, solo improvisational dances, war or combat dances, and spiritual dances.
Typically, the group dances are often unique and named after the region or the ethnic groups with which they are associated. These dances can be chain dances involving a group or the more common group dances mainly performed at festive occasions like weddings andNoruzcelebrations which focus less on communal line or circle dances and more on solo improvisational forms, with each dancer interpreting the music in their special way but within a specific range of dance vocabulary sometimes blending other dance styles or elements.
Solo dancesare usually reconstructions of thehistorical and court dancesof the various Iranian dynasties throughout history, with the most common types being that of theSafavidandQajardynasties due to them being relatively newer.These often are improvisational dances and utilize delicate, graceful movements of the hands and arms, such as wrist circles.
War or Combat dances, imitate combat or serve as training for warriors. For instance, the ritualized wrestling movements of theZurkhaneh("House of Strength") are considered a form of dance called "Raghs-e-Pa" or "Pay-Bazi." These movements also resemblemartial artsand are part of the cultural heritage of warrior training.
Spiritual dances in Iran are known as "sama". These dances serve spiritual purposes, such as removing ill omens or exorcising evil spirits. These dances involvetrance, music, and complex movements. One example is theBalochidance "le'b gowati", performed to rid a possessed person of the offending spirit. In theBalochi language, the term "gowati" refers to psychologically ill patients who have recovered through music and dance.
The earliest researched dance from Iran is a dance worshipingMithra, theZoroastrianangelicdivinityof covenant,light, andoath, which was used commonly by theRomanCult of Mithra.One of the cult's ceremonies involved the sacrifice of a bull followed by a dance that promoted vigor in life.The Cult of Mithra was active from the 1st century CE to the 4th century CE and worshiped a mystery religion inspired by theIranianworship ofMithra. It was a rival ofChristianityin the Roman Empire and was eventually suppressed in the 4th century CE by Roman authorities in favor of Christianity.This was done to counter the greater Iranian cultural influence that was expanding throughout the Roman Empire.The cult was highly adhered to and respected throughout the Roman Empire with its center inRome, and was popular throughout thewestern half of the empire, as far south asRoman AfricaandNumidia, as far north asRoman Britain, and to a lesser extent inRoman Syriain the east.
The history of Iranian architecture dates back to at least 5,000 BC with characteristic examples distributed over a vast area fromTurkeyandIraqtoUzbekistanandTajikistanto theSouth CaucasusandZanzibar. Currently, there are 19UNESCO-designatedWorld Heritage Sitesthat were designed and constructed by Iranians, with 11 of them being located outside of Iran. Iranian architecture displays a great variety of both structure and aesthetics and despite the repeated trauma of destructive invasions and cultural shocks, the Iranian zeal and identity has always triumphed and flourished. In turn, it has greatly influenced the architecture of its invaders from theGreeksto theArabsto theTurks.
The traditional theme of Iranian architecture is cosmic symbolism, which depicts the communication and participation of man with the powers of heaven. This theme has not only given continuity and longevity to the architecture of Iran but has been a primary source of the emotional character of the nation as well. Iranian architecture ranges from simple structures to "some of the most majestic structures the world has ever seen".
Iranian architectural style is the combination of intensity and simplicity to form immediacy, while ornament and, often, subtle proportions reward sustained observation. Iranian architecture makes use of abundant symbolic geometry, using pure forms such as the circle and square, and plans are based on often symmetrical layouts featuring rectangular courtyards and halls. The paramount virtues of Iranian architecture are: "a marked feeling for form and scale; structural inventiveness, especially invaultanddomeconstruction; a genius for decoration with a freedom and success not rivaled in any other architecture".
The traditional architecture of Iran throughout the ages is categorized into two families and six following classes or styles. The two categories are Zoroastrian and Islamic, which references the eras of pre-Islamic and post-Islamic Iran, and the six styles, in order of their era, are Parsian, Parthian Khorasani, Razi, Azari, Esfahani. The pre-Islamic styles draw on 3000 to 4000 years of architectural development from the various civilizations of the Iranian plateau. The post-Islamicarchitecture ofIranin turn, draws ideas from its pre-Islamic predecessor and has geometrical and repetitive forms, as well as surfaces that are richly decorated with glazed tiles, carvedstucco, patterned brickwork, floralmotifs, andcalligraphy.
In addition to historic gates, palaces, bridges, buildings, and religious sites that highlight the highly developed supremacy of the Iranian art of architecture, Iranian gardens are also an example of Iran's cosmic symbolism and unique style of combining intensity and simplicity for form immediacy.There are currently 14 Iranian gardens that are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 5 of them being located outside of Iran.The traditional style of Iranian gardens is to represent an earthly paradise or a heaven on Earth. From the time of theAchaemenid Empire, the idea of an earthly paradise spread throughIranian literatureto other cultures, with the word for paradise in the Iranian languages ofAvestan,Old Persian, andMedian, spreading to languages across the world.The style and design of the Iranian garden greatly influenced the garden styles of countries fromSpaintoItalyandGreecetoIndia, with some notable examples of such gardens being the gardens of theAlhambrain Spain,Humayun's Tomb, and theTaj Mahalin India, theHellenisticgardens of theSeleucid Empireand thePtolemiesinAlexandria.
Iranian cuisine refers to the culinary practices ofIran. Due to the historically common usage of the term "Persia" to refer to Iran in theWestern world,it is alternatively known as Persian cuisine, despitePersiansbeing only one of a multitude ofIranian ethnic groupswho have contributed to Iran's culinary traditions.
The cuisine of Iran has made extensive contact throughoutits historywith the cuisines of its neighbouring regions, includingCuisine from the Caucasus,Central Asian cuisine,Greek cuisine,Levantine cuisine,Mesopotamian cuisine,Russian cuisineandTurkish cuisine.Aspects of Iranian cuisine have also been significantly adopted byIndian cuisineandPakistani cuisinethrough various historicalPersianatesultanates that flourished duringMuslim rule on the Indian subcontinent, with the most notable and influential of these polities being theMughal Empire.
Typical Iranian main dishes are combinations ofricewithmeat,vegetablesandnuts.Herbsare frequently used, along with fruits such asplums,pomegranates,quince,prunes,apricotsandraisins. Characteristic Iranian spices and flavourings such assaffron,cardamom, anddried limeand other sources of sour flavoring,cinnamon,turmericandparsleyare mixed and used in various dishes.
Outside of Iran, a strong presence of Iranian cuisine can be found in cities with significantIranian diasporapopulations, namely theSan Francisco Bay Area,Toronto,Houstonand especiallyLos Angeles and its environs.
Zoroastrianismwas the national faith of Iran for more than a millennium before theArab conquest. It has had an immense influence onIranian philosophy,cultureandartafter the people of Iran converted toIslam.The PersianSamaniddynasty made great attempts to spread the Islamic faith in the 9th and 10th century while promoting a Persian cultural revival. Until the 16th century, Iran was majoritySunniushering a golden age of the arts and sciences.In 1501 theSafaviddynasty took control of Iran and madeShia Islam the state religion, with this being one of the most important events in Islamic history.
Today of the 98% of Muslims living in Iran, around 89% areShi'aand only around 9% areSunni. This is quite the opposite trend of the percentage distribution of Shi'a to Sunni Islam followers in the rest of the Muslim population from state to state (primarily in the Middle East) and throughout the rest of the world.
Followers of theBaháʼí Faithform the largest non-Muslim minority in Iran. Baháʼís are scattered throughout small communities in Iran, although there seems to be a large population of Baháʼís inTehran. The Iranian government actively pursues thepersecution of Baháʼís.
Followers of theChristianfaith consist of around 250,000 Armenians, around 32,000Assyrians, and a small number of Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant Iranians that have been converted by missionaries in earlier centuries. Thus, Christians that live in Iran are primarily descendants of indigenous Christians that were converted during the 19th and 20th centuries. Judaism is an officially recognized faith in Iran, and in spite of the hostilities between Iran and Israel over the Palestinian issue, the millennia-old Jewish community in Iran enjoys the right to practise their religion freely as well as a dedicated seat in parliament to a representative member of their faith. In addition toChristianityandJudaism,Zoroastrianismis another officially recognized religion in Iran, although followers of this faith do not hold a large population in Iran. In addition, although there have been instances of prejudice against Zoroastrians, most followers of this faith have not faced widespread persecution.
The Persian year begins in thevernal equinox: if the astronomical vernal equinox comes before noon, then the present day is the first day of the Persian year. If the equinox falls after noon, then the next day is the official first day of the Persian year. ThePersian Calendar, which is the official calendar of Iran, is a solar calendar with a starting point that is the same as the Islamic calendar. According to the Iran Labor Code, Friday is the weekly day of rest. Government official working hours are from Saturday to Wednesday (from 8 am to 4 pm).
Although the date of certain holidays in Iran are not exact (due to the calendar system they use, most of these holidays are around the same time), some of the major public holidays in Iran includeOil Nationalization Day(20 March). Yalda (which is the longest night of the year) (21 December),Nowrooz—which is the Iranian equivalent ofNew Years(20 March), the Prophet's Birthday and Imam Sadeq (4 June), and the Death ofImam Khomeini(5 June). Additional holidays include The Anniversary of the Uprising Against the Shah (30 January),Ashoura(11 February), Victory of the1979 Islamic Revolution(20 January),Sizdah-Bedar—Public Outing Day to end Nowrooz (1 April), andIslamic Republic Day(2 April).
There are two stages in a typical wedding ritual in Iran. Sometimes, both phases take place in one day. The first stage is known as "Aghd", which is basically the legal component of marriage in Iran. In this process, the bride and groom, as well as their respective guardians, sign a marriage contract. This phase usually takes place in the bride's home. After this legal process is over, the second phase, "Jashn-e Aroosi" takes place. In this step, which is basically the wedding reception, where actual feasts and celebrations are held, typically lasts from about 3–7 days. The ceremony takes place in a decorated room with flowers and a beautifully decorated spread on the floor. This spread is typically passed down from mother to daughter and is composed of very nice fabric such as "Termeh" (cashmere), "Atlas" (gold embroideredsatin), or "Abrisham" (silk).
Items are placed on this spread: a mirror (of fate), two candelabras (representing the bride and groom and their bright future), a tray of seven multi-colored herbs and spices (including poppy seeds, wild rice, angelica, salt, nigella seeds, black tea, and frankincense). These herbs and spices play specific roles ranging from breaking spells and witchcraft, to blinding the evil eye, to burning evil spirits. In addition to these herbs/spices, a special baked and decorated flatbread, a basket of decorated eggs, decorated almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts (in their shell to represent fertility), a basket of pomegranates/apples (for a joyous future as these fruits are considered divine), a cup of rose water (from special Persian roses)—which helps perfume the air, a bowl made out of sugar (apparently to sweeten life for the newlywed couple), and a brazier holding burning coals and sprinkled with wild rue (as a way to keep the evil eye away and to purify the wedding ritual) are placed on the spread as well. Finally, there are additional items that must be placed on the spread, including a bowl of gold coins (to represent wealth and prosperity), a scarf/shawl made of silk/fine fabric (to be held over the bride and groom's head at certain points in the ceremony), two sugar cones—which are ground above the bride and groom's head, thus symbolizing sweetness/happiness, a cup of honey (to sweeten life), a needle and seven strands of colored thread (the shawl that is held above the bride and groom's head is sewn together with the string throughout the ceremony), and a copy of the couple'sHoly Book(other religions require different texts); but all of these books symbolize God's blessing for the couple.An early age in marriage—especially for brides—is a long documented feature of marriage in Iran. While the people of Iran have been trying to legally change this practice by implementing a higher minimum in marriage, there have been countless blocks to such an attempt. Although the average age of women being married has increased by about five years in the past couple decades, young girls being married is still common feature of marriage in Iran—even though there is an article in the Iranian Civil Code that forbid the marriage of women younger than 15 years of age and males younger than 18 years of age.
In Iran,Persian rugshave always been a vital part of the Persian culture.
Iranians were some of the first people in history to weave carpets. First deriving from the notion of basic need, the Persian rug started out as a simple/pure weave offabricthat helped nomadic people living in ancient Iran stay warm from the cold, damp ground. As time progressed, the complexity and beauty of rugs increased to a point where rugs are now bought as decorative pieces.Because of the long history of fine silk and wool rug weaving in Iran, Persian rugs are world-renowned as some of the most beautiful, intricately designed rugs available. Around various places in Iran, rugs seem to be some of the most prized possessions of the local people. Iran currently produces more rugs and carpets than all other countries in the world put together.
With 300 international awards in the past 10 years,Iranian films continue to be celebrated worldwide. The best known Persian directors areAbbas Kiarostami,Majid Majidi,Jafar PanahiandAsghar Farhadi.
There is a resurgence of interest in Iranian contemporary artists and in artists from the larger Iranian diaspora. Key notables includeShirin Aliabadi, Mohammed Ehsai, Ramin Haerizadeh, Rokni Haerizadeh,Golnaz Fathi,Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, Parastou Forouhar,Pouran Jinchi,Farhad Moshiri,Shirin Neshat, Parviz Tanavoli, Y. Z. Kami, and Charles Hossein Zenderoudi.
Cuisine in Iran is considered to be one of the most ancient forms of cuisine around the world. Bread is arguably the most important food in Iran, with a large variety of different bread, some of the most popular of which include:nanand hamir, which are baked in large clay ovens (also called "tenurs"). In Iranian cuisine, there are many dishes that are made from dairy products. One of the most popular of which includes yoghurt ("mast")—which has a specific fermentation process that is widely put to use amongst most Iranians. In addition,mastis used to make soup and is vital in the production of oil. In addition to these dairy products, Iranian cuisine involves a lot of dishes cooked from rice. Some popular rice dishes include boiled rice with a variety of ingredients such as meats, vegetables, and seasonings ("plov") including dishes like chelo-horesh, shish kebab with rice, chelo-kebab, rice with lamb, meatballs with rice, and kofte (plain boiled rice). In addition, Iranian cuisine is famous for its sweets. One of the most famous of which includes "baklava" with almonds, cardamom, and egg yolks. Iranian sweets typically involve the use of honey, cinnamon, lime juice, and sprouted wheat grain. One very popular dessert drink in Iran, "sherbet sharbat-portagal", is made from a mixture of orange peel and orange juice boiled in thin sugar syrup and diluted with rose water. Just like the people of many Middle Eastern countries the most preferred drink of the people of Iran is tea (without milk) or "kakhve-khana".
Since the 1979 Revolution, Iranian women have lost almost all their rights that was gained in 1962 under the rule ofMohammad Reza Pahlavi. Many restrictive and legal measures are imposed since 1979, including mandatory Hijab. By law, women's testimony in court is worth half of that of men under the rule of the Islamic Regime, the age of marriage is 9, and marital rape is legal. Women cannot leave the country without the formal permission of their guardians (father or husband). They cannot run for presidency or become a judge. This is a striking change from the full and equal rights that women enjoyed during the Pahlavi era. The Iranian women who had gained confidence and higher education during the Pahlavi era participated in demonstrations against the Shah to topple the monarchy. The culture of education for women was very strongly established by the time of revolution so that even after the revolution, large numbers of women entered civil service and higher education.Even though Islamic Republic pushed back hard on women's rights, Iranian women have been at the forefront of progress, education and battle for freedom. In 1996 fourteen women were elected to theIslamic Consultative Assembly. In 2003, Iran's first female judge during the Pahlavi era,Shirin Ebadi, won the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in promoting human rights.
According to a UNESCO world survey, at the primary level of enrolment Iran has the highest female to male ratio in the world among sovereign nations, with a female to male ratio of 1.22 : 1.00.By 1999, Iran had 140 female publishers, enough to hold an exhibition of books and magazines published by women.As of 2005, 65% of Iran's university students and 43% of its salaried workers were women.and as of early 2007 nearly 70% of Iran's science and engineering students are women.This has led to many female school and university graduates being under-utilized. This is beginning to have an effect on Iranian society and was a contributing factor to protests by Iranian youth in various times over the past few decades.
During recent decades, Iranian women have had significant presence in Iran'sscientific movement,art movement,literary new waveand contemporaryIranian cinema. Women account for 60% of all students in the natural sciences, including one in five PhD students.
Iranians celebrate the following days based on asolar calendar, in addition to important religious days ofIslamicandShiacalendars, which are based on alunarcalendar.
Like thePersian carpetthat exhibits numerous colors and forms in a dazzling display of warmth and creativity, Persian culture is the glue that bonds the peoples of western and central Asia. TheSouth CaucasusandCentral Asia"occupy an important place in the historical geography of Persian civilization." Much of the region was included in the pre-IslamicPersian empires, and many of its ancient peoples either belonged to the Iranian branch of the Indo-European peoples (e.g.MedesandSoghdians), or were in close cultural contact with them (e.g. theArmenians).In the words of IranologistRichard Nelson Frye:
The Culture ofPersiahas thus developed over several thousand years. But historically, the peoples of what are nowIran,Kurdistan Region,Armenia,Azerbaijan,Turkey,Uzbekistan,Tajikistan,Turkmenistan,EasternGeorgia, andAfghanistanare related to one another as part of the larger group of peoples of theGreater Iraniancultural and historical sphere. TheNorthern Caucasusis well within the sphere of influence of Persian culture as well, as can be seen from the many remaining relics, ruins, and works of literature from that region.
From the humblebrick, to thewindmill, Persians have mixed creativity with art and offered the world numerous contributions.What follows is a list of just a few examples of the cultural contributions ofGreater Iran.
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