Fravashi / Fravahr

Fravashi (Avestan fravashi; also Fravahr, Persian فروهر, faravahar) is the spiritual prototype, the pre-existing archetype of every living being, in Zoroastrian cosmology.

Three Aspects of Fravashi

1. The heavenly blueprint (Fravarti) — the pre-existing ideal image by which the soul is formed
2. The guardian spirit — accompanying a person throughout life
3. The spiritual heritage — continuing to exist after the death of the body

What Fravashi Is NOT

A blueprint, not a soul. Fravashi is not the soul (urvan — the individual "I"), not the mind (bōd) and not the life force (ahuna). It is the structural plan, the "blueprint" of incarnation.

Fravashi in Avestan Astrology

The chart as a projection. In Avestan astrology (#43), the natal chart is a projection of Fravashi into the material world: the placement of the planets reflects the tasks inscribed in the "heavenly blueprint".

The task of incarnation. "The task of incarnation" (T110) is the realization of the Fravashi's plan through earthly life.

Structural Analogs

• "The program of incarnation" in the Formula of the Soul (#41)
• "The galactic signature" (Kin, T075) in Dreamspell (#48)
• Purushartha (पुरुषार्थ, "the aims of man") in the Vedic tradition (#18)

A common function. The ontologies are fundamentally different, but the function — "why am I here" — is common.