درفش کاویانی — درفش افسانهای نبرد ایران
The Derafsh Kaviani (درفش کاویانی, Banner of Kaveh) is the most legendary war standard in Persian history. According to the Shahnameh, when the tyrannical serpent-king Zahhak ruled Iran with cruelty, the blacksmith Kaveh raised his leather apron on a spear as a banner of rebellion, rallying the people to overthrow the tyrant.
After Zahhak's defeat, the leather apron was adorned with jewels and gold by subsequent kings and became the royal battle standard of Iran. Historically, the Sassanid Empire used a magnificent version studded with gems as their imperial war banner until its capture by Arab forces at the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah in 636 AD.
Today, the story of Kaveh's uprising resonates deeply with Iranians fighting against modern tyranny. The Derafsh Kaviani represents the Iranian tradition of a common person rising against oppression — making it one of the most powerful symbols of the freedom movement.
The Derafsh Kaviani is the legendary battle standard of Iran, originally the leather apron of the blacksmith Kaveh who raised it as a banner of rebellion against the tyrant Zahhak in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh.
The Sassanid version of the Derafsh Kaviani, studded with jewels, was captured by Arab forces at the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah in 636 AD and reportedly destroyed for its precious stones.