Papers by Reza Assasi
Inspiration of Astronomical Phenomena VIII: City of Stars, 2016
The definition and origins of Roman Mithraism remain highly problematic and controversial among m... more The definition and origins of Roman Mithraism remain highly problematic and controversial among modern scholars. The majority of research on Roman Mithraism focuses on interpreting the physical evidence because no considerable written narratives or theology from the religion survive. The most important Mithraic arti-fact is a repeated bull-slaying scene, which leaves no doubt that this figure conveys the core divine message of the cult. There is also another important Mithraic character that seems to be as important as the bull-slayer. This figure is a lion-headed man entwined by a snake. The author suggests that these figures represent the north ecliptic pole and argues for the importance of this astronomical reference in the Mithraic iconography and mythology. The author also demonstrates the possible relation of his proposed astrological model to the geocentric understanding of the axial precession around the ecliptic pole, where the Roman bull-slaying Mithras could be visualized in the form of a Mithraic constellation. This astrological model also is proposed to be the architectural design concept of Roman Mithraeum. The author also points to the core Christian symbols as possible contemporaneous parallels or derivatives of the Mithraic iconography and theology.
Ryerson University, 2019
Parametric Design is nothing new to the architects and refers to algorithmic thinking to solve de... more Parametric Design is nothing new to the architects and refers to algorithmic thinking to solve design problems based on translating the relationships between internal and external variables affecting the design elements into parameters. In recent decades it has been confused with Computational Parametricism which is a self-referential framework with interlinked elements linked by abstract mathematical equations with only a little, if any, influence from the real-world variables. This phenomenon, in theory, is the result of our obsession with mathematical certainty that deprived modern architecture of poetic meanings and its direct connections with nature, yet desperately searching for a pseudo-poetic meaning in its self-referential mathematical equations. This way of thinking has reduced architecture to formal games defining aesthetics in formal extravagance made possible by computer algorithms. In this paper, after looking at the historical background of parametric thinking used in the design process, the author addresses the common misunderstandings about the term Parametric Design in architecture and suggests a broader realm for this subject where the designers can employ the emerging technology to face the real-world challenges using computer algorithms and parametric thinking.
The Kaaba, Islam’s most sacred building, located in Mecca, takes its name from the geometrical fo... more The Kaaba, Islam’s most sacred building, located in Mecca, takes its name from the geometrical form of its structure. In Arabic, “Kaaba” literally means “cube.” There are not many reliable historical reports about the origins of its construction; however, the building was a significant sacred temple for the pre-Islamic tribes of the Arabian Peninsula. The Islamic narratives date its origin to the time of Abraham or even Adam. The Quran calls this place “the ancient house”.
In this study the author analyses the first hand and second hand Islamic literature, the related historical reports, the rituals, and the physical evidence to create a rational framework to demonstrate the parallels between the original concept of the Kaaba and its rituals with astronomical phenomena. Although there is no clear historical statement to address the origins of the Kaaba, almost all available data, including the Islamic narratives, suggest the importance of the celestial order in the foundation of this site and its associated rituals.
Among the important cities in the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea trade route Mecca is close to the Tropic of Cancer. This factor could have played an important role in the construction of the Kaaba, which is believed to have originally had only four walls with no roof. As a result, none of its four walls cast shadow during the summer solstice noon solar zenith passage. The Islamic narratives support, this notion, reporting that the Kaaba has a celestial counterpart right above it in the fourth sky, metaphorically representing the sun’s place in the seven planetary spheres.
In addition, most of the pre-Islamic pilgrimage rituals taking place in this site were adopted by Islam. One of these rituals is tawaf, which requires pilgrims to perform seven circumambulations around the Kaaba with three rounds at a fast pace and four rounds at a slow pace, another strong metaphoric reference to the planetary orbits with an emphasis on the fourth celestial orbit.
Although only one sacred stone (the Black Stone) was kept in the Kaaba, the Islamic reports mention that the Kaaba hosted 360 idols (probably resembling the solar cycle) that were all destroyed by Muhammad when he conquered Mecca in 629 CE.
The definition and origins of Roman Mithraism remain highly problematic and controversial among m... more The definition and origins of Roman Mithraism remain highly problematic and controversial among modern scholars. The majority of research on Roman Mithraism focuses on interpreting the physical evidence because no considerable written narratives or theology from the religion survive. The most important Mithraic arti-fact is a repeated bull-slaying scene, which leaves no doubt that this figure conveys the core divine message of the cult. There is also another important Mithraic character that seems to be as important as the bull-slayer. This figure is a lion-headed man entwined by a snake. The author suggests that these figures represent the north ecliptic pole and argues for the importance of this astronomical reference in the Mithraic iconography and mythology. The author also demonstrates the possible relation of his proposed astrological model to the geocentric understanding of the axial precession around the ecliptic pole, where the Roman bull-slaying Mithras could be visualized in the form of a Mithraic constellation. This astrological model also is proposed to be the architectural design concept of Roman Mithraeum. The author also points to the core Christian symbols as possible contemporaneous parallels or derivatives of the Mithraic iconography and theology.
In: Ivan Šprajc and Peter Pehani, ANCIENT COSMOLOGIES AND MODERN PROPHETS. Ljubljana: Slovene Anthropological Society. pp407-418.
Abstract:
The swastika is an ancient symbol that has been used by various ancient cultures. Th... more Abstract:
The swastika is an ancient symbol that has been used by various ancient cultures. There
is no convincing theory about the origins of the swastika. In this paper the author suggests
how this symbol is related to a group of stars visible in the northern hemisphere.
The author suggests the constellation formed by this group in relation to Mithraic myths
as a support for the possibility of early awareness of astrological changes caused by the
axial precession of the Earth. The research is based on a comparative study of ancient
Iranian sources and Roman Mithraic iconography. The result suggests that the symbol of
the swastika, along with several other symbols, can reveal a code for better understanding
Iranian and Roman Mithraic myths and their early connections. This research is an
original contribution to the field that represents a step towards revising previous theories
on Mithraism.
Keywords: Mithraism, Iranian studies, swastika, precession of equinoxes, Roman antiquity,
Archaeoastronomy
POVZETEK
Svastika je star simbol, ki so ga uporabljala številna starodavna ljudstva. O njenem izvoru
ni prepričljive teorije. V članku avtor predlaga, da se svastika povezuje s skupino zvezd,
vidnih na severni polobli. Zveza med konstelacijo, ki jo tvori ta skupina, in mitraističnimi
miti navaja na možnost, da so bile astrološke spremembe, ki jih povzroča precesija
Zemljine osi, znane že zgodaj. Raziskava temelji na primerjalni študiji starodavnih iranskih
virov in rimske mitraistične ikonografije. Rezultati kažejo, da lahko svastika skupaj
z nekaterimi drugimi simboli razkrije ključ za boljše razumevanje iranskih in rimskih
mitraističnih mitov ter njihove zgodnje povezanosti. Raziskava je izvirni prispevek k
preučevanjem, ki vodijo k reviziji prejšnjih teorij o mitraizmu.
KLJU^NE BESEDE: mitraizem, iranske študije, svastika, precesija enakonočij, rimska
antika, arheoastronomija
Conference Presentations by Reza Assasi
Accepted papers/abstracts by Reza Assasi
The Kaaba, Islam's most sacred building, located in Mecca, takes its name from the geometrical fo... more The Kaaba, Islam's most sacred building, located in Mecca, takes its name from the geometrical form of its structure. In Arabic, "Kaaba" literally means "cube." There are not many reliable historical reports about the origins of its construction; however, the building was a significant sacred temple for the pre-Islamic tribes of the Arabian Peninsula. The Islamic narratives date its origin to the time of Abraham or even Adam. The Quran calls this place "the ancient house". In this study the author analyses the first hand and second hand Islamic literature, the related historical reports, the rituals, and the physical evidence to create a rational framework to demonstrate the parallels between the original concept of the Kaaba and its rituals with astronomical phenomena. Although there is no clear historical statement to address the origins of the Kaaba, almost all available data, including the Islamic narratives, suggest the importance of the celestial order in the foundation of this site and its associated rituals. Among the important cities in the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea trade route Mecca is close to the Tropic of Cancer. This factor could have played an important role in the construction of the Kaaba, which is believed to have originally had only four walls with no roof. As a result, none of its four walls cast shadow during the summer solstice noon solar zenith passage. The Islamic narratives support, this notion, reporting that the Kaaba has a celestial counterpart right above it in the fourth sky, metaphorically representing the sun's place in the seven planetary spheres. In addition, most of the pre-Islamic pilgrimage rituals taking place in this site were adopted by Islam. One of these rituals is tawaf, which requires pilgrims to perform seven circumambulations around the Kaaba with three rounds at a fast pace and four rounds at a slow pace, another strong metaphoric reference to the planetary orbits with an emphasis on the fourth celestial orbit. Although only one sacred stone (the Black Stone) was kept in the Kaaba, the Islamic reports mention that the Kaaba hosted 360 idols (probably resembling the solar cycle) that were all destroyed by Muhammad when he conquered Mecca in 629 CE. .
The Kaaba, Islam's most sacred building, located in Mecca, takes its name from the geometrical fo... more The Kaaba, Islam's most sacred building, located in Mecca, takes its name from the geometrical form of its structure. In Arabic, "Kaaba" literally means "cube." There are not many reliable historical reports about the origins of its construction; however, the building was a significant sacred temple for the pre-Islamic tribes of the Arabian Peninsula. The Islamic narratives date its origin to the time of Abraham or even Adam. The Quran calls this place "the ancient house". In this study the author analyses the first hand and second hand Islamic literature, the related historical reports, the rituals, and the physical evidence to create a rational framework to demonstrate the parallels between the original concept of the Kaaba and its rituals with astronomical phenomena. Although there is no clear historical statement to address the origins of the Kaaba, almost all available data, including the Islamic narratives, suggest the importance of the celestial order in the foundation of this site and its associated rituals. Among the important cities in the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea trade route Mecca is close to the Tropic of Cancer. This factor could have played an important role in the construction of the Kaaba, which is believed to have originally had only four walls with no roof. As a result, none of its four walls cast shadow during the summer solstice noon solar zenith passage. The Islamic narratives support, this notion, reporting that the Kaaba has a celestial counterpart right above it in the fourth sky, metaphorically representing the sun's place in the seven planetary spheres. In addition, most of the pre-Islamic pilgrimage rituals taking place in this site were adopted by Islam. One of these rituals is tawaf, which requires pilgrims to perform seven circumambulations around the Kaaba with three rounds at a fast pace and four rounds at a slow pace, another strong metaphoric reference to the planetary orbits with an emphasis on the fourth celestial orbit. Although only one sacred stone (the Black Stone) was kept in the Kaaba, the Islamic reports mention that the Kaaba hosted 360 idols (probably resembling the solar cycle) that were all destroyed by Muhammad when he conquered Mecca in 629 CE. .
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Papers by Reza Assasi
In this study the author analyses the first hand and second hand Islamic literature, the related historical reports, the rituals, and the physical evidence to create a rational framework to demonstrate the parallels between the original concept of the Kaaba and its rituals with astronomical phenomena. Although there is no clear historical statement to address the origins of the Kaaba, almost all available data, including the Islamic narratives, suggest the importance of the celestial order in the foundation of this site and its associated rituals.
Among the important cities in the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea trade route Mecca is close to the Tropic of Cancer. This factor could have played an important role in the construction of the Kaaba, which is believed to have originally had only four walls with no roof. As a result, none of its four walls cast shadow during the summer solstice noon solar zenith passage. The Islamic narratives support, this notion, reporting that the Kaaba has a celestial counterpart right above it in the fourth sky, metaphorically representing the sun’s place in the seven planetary spheres.
In addition, most of the pre-Islamic pilgrimage rituals taking place in this site were adopted by Islam. One of these rituals is tawaf, which requires pilgrims to perform seven circumambulations around the Kaaba with three rounds at a fast pace and four rounds at a slow pace, another strong metaphoric reference to the planetary orbits with an emphasis on the fourth celestial orbit.
Although only one sacred stone (the Black Stone) was kept in the Kaaba, the Islamic reports mention that the Kaaba hosted 360 idols (probably resembling the solar cycle) that were all destroyed by Muhammad when he conquered Mecca in 629 CE.
The swastika is an ancient symbol that has been used by various ancient cultures. There
is no convincing theory about the origins of the swastika. In this paper the author suggests
how this symbol is related to a group of stars visible in the northern hemisphere.
The author suggests the constellation formed by this group in relation to Mithraic myths
as a support for the possibility of early awareness of astrological changes caused by the
axial precession of the Earth. The research is based on a comparative study of ancient
Iranian sources and Roman Mithraic iconography. The result suggests that the symbol of
the swastika, along with several other symbols, can reveal a code for better understanding
Iranian and Roman Mithraic myths and their early connections. This research is an
original contribution to the field that represents a step towards revising previous theories
on Mithraism.
Keywords: Mithraism, Iranian studies, swastika, precession of equinoxes, Roman antiquity,
Archaeoastronomy
POVZETEK
Svastika je star simbol, ki so ga uporabljala številna starodavna ljudstva. O njenem izvoru
ni prepričljive teorije. V članku avtor predlaga, da se svastika povezuje s skupino zvezd,
vidnih na severni polobli. Zveza med konstelacijo, ki jo tvori ta skupina, in mitraističnimi
miti navaja na možnost, da so bile astrološke spremembe, ki jih povzroča precesija
Zemljine osi, znane že zgodaj. Raziskava temelji na primerjalni študiji starodavnih iranskih
virov in rimske mitraistične ikonografije. Rezultati kažejo, da lahko svastika skupaj
z nekaterimi drugimi simboli razkrije ključ za boljše razumevanje iranskih in rimskih
mitraističnih mitov ter njihove zgodnje povezanosti. Raziskava je izvirni prispevek k
preučevanjem, ki vodijo k reviziji prejšnjih teorij o mitraizmu.
KLJU^NE BESEDE: mitraizem, iranske študije, svastika, precesija enakonočij, rimska
antika, arheoastronomija
Conference Presentations by Reza Assasi
Accepted papers/abstracts by Reza Assasi
In this study the author analyses the first hand and second hand Islamic literature, the related historical reports, the rituals, and the physical evidence to create a rational framework to demonstrate the parallels between the original concept of the Kaaba and its rituals with astronomical phenomena. Although there is no clear historical statement to address the origins of the Kaaba, almost all available data, including the Islamic narratives, suggest the importance of the celestial order in the foundation of this site and its associated rituals.
Among the important cities in the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea trade route Mecca is close to the Tropic of Cancer. This factor could have played an important role in the construction of the Kaaba, which is believed to have originally had only four walls with no roof. As a result, none of its four walls cast shadow during the summer solstice noon solar zenith passage. The Islamic narratives support, this notion, reporting that the Kaaba has a celestial counterpart right above it in the fourth sky, metaphorically representing the sun’s place in the seven planetary spheres.
In addition, most of the pre-Islamic pilgrimage rituals taking place in this site were adopted by Islam. One of these rituals is tawaf, which requires pilgrims to perform seven circumambulations around the Kaaba with three rounds at a fast pace and four rounds at a slow pace, another strong metaphoric reference to the planetary orbits with an emphasis on the fourth celestial orbit.
Although only one sacred stone (the Black Stone) was kept in the Kaaba, the Islamic reports mention that the Kaaba hosted 360 idols (probably resembling the solar cycle) that were all destroyed by Muhammad when he conquered Mecca in 629 CE.
The swastika is an ancient symbol that has been used by various ancient cultures. There
is no convincing theory about the origins of the swastika. In this paper the author suggests
how this symbol is related to a group of stars visible in the northern hemisphere.
The author suggests the constellation formed by this group in relation to Mithraic myths
as a support for the possibility of early awareness of astrological changes caused by the
axial precession of the Earth. The research is based on a comparative study of ancient
Iranian sources and Roman Mithraic iconography. The result suggests that the symbol of
the swastika, along with several other symbols, can reveal a code for better understanding
Iranian and Roman Mithraic myths and their early connections. This research is an
original contribution to the field that represents a step towards revising previous theories
on Mithraism.
Keywords: Mithraism, Iranian studies, swastika, precession of equinoxes, Roman antiquity,
Archaeoastronomy
POVZETEK
Svastika je star simbol, ki so ga uporabljala številna starodavna ljudstva. O njenem izvoru
ni prepričljive teorije. V članku avtor predlaga, da se svastika povezuje s skupino zvezd,
vidnih na severni polobli. Zveza med konstelacijo, ki jo tvori ta skupina, in mitraističnimi
miti navaja na možnost, da so bile astrološke spremembe, ki jih povzroča precesija
Zemljine osi, znane že zgodaj. Raziskava temelji na primerjalni študiji starodavnih iranskih
virov in rimske mitraistične ikonografije. Rezultati kažejo, da lahko svastika skupaj
z nekaterimi drugimi simboli razkrije ključ za boljše razumevanje iranskih in rimskih
mitraističnih mitov ter njihove zgodnje povezanosti. Raziskava je izvirni prispevek k
preučevanjem, ki vodijo k reviziji prejšnjih teorij o mitraizmu.
KLJU^NE BESEDE: mitraizem, iranske študije, svastika, precesija enakonočij, rimska
antika, arheoastronomija
This thesis studies the relationship between architecture and cosmology based on recent research
in the interdisciplinary field of Archaeoastronomy. The main objective of this study is to
understand the symbolic morphology of ancient Iranian structures called chartaqi. These
structures characteristically incorporate a dome built on a cross and are intentionally and
accurately aligned with particular astronomical references of the horizon.
Taking the recent discoveries of the astronomical alignments of chartaqi as a starting point led to
the discovery of identical astronomical alignments in similar Roman structures. These parallels
are shown in detail in this thesis. Based on an analysis of these alignments and an investigation
of Mithraic artefacts, the author argues that the concepts incorporated in chartaqi are based on
Mithraic cosmology. In order to support this argument, this thesis develops an original
framework to understand Iranian Mithra and the Roman mystery cult of Mithraism.
2
Résumé
L'objectif principal de cette recherche est d'étudier la relation entre l'architecture et la cosmologie
fondée sur des recherches récentes dans le champ interdisciplinaire de archeoastronomy. Dans
cette étude, le principal problème est de comprendre la morphologie symbolique d'une structure
ancienne iranienne appelle chartaqi dans lequel un dôme construit sur une croix et est
volontairement et avec précision à alligned notamment des références astronomiques de
l'horizon.
Prendre les découvertes récentes des allignments astronomiques de chartaqi comme point de
départ a conduit à la découverte des allignments astronomiques identiques dans les structures
romaines semblables qui est représenté en détail dans cette thèse. L'auteur soutient que les
concepts incorporés dans chartaqi est basé sur la cosmologie de Mithra et propose un cadre
d'origine pour comprendre la relation entre iranien Mithra et Roman culte de Mithra.