Persia or Iran?

[Maia]

In the 1930s the Shah of Persia announced to the world that henceforth, he wanted everyone to call his country Iran. In its own language it had always been called Iran, or something similar. The word is cognate with the term Aryan, and the Shah was trying to curry favour with the Nazis. In the West, however, since the time of the ancient Greeks, the country had always been known as Persia, which properly speaking, is just an Iranian province. The problem with this name change, though, is that it effectively cut Iran off from its history, from a Western perspective, and by the 1950s the Iranians had realised the cultural damage this had done, and announced that either Persia or Iran were fine. But it was too late, and no one listened.

I think this is a lesson for any country that insists on dictating what their country is known as in English. The inhabitants of Suomi don't seem to mind, for example, that everyone else calls their country Finland, and the people of Deutschland don't care that their country has a whole load of different names in other European languages.

[Wizard22]

I lean towards calling it Persia because of its historical relevance and labeling by us Westerners, since the time of Rome. I honestly didn't know why it was changed to "Iran", but am aware of their 'Aryan' ideology and connections to Zoroastrian religion. They do have an Ancient religion, society, and culture, that extends far before and underneath the revolutions of Islam takeover. It's a very interesting Pagan mythology.

[Maia]

I lean towards calling it Persia because of its historical relevance and labeling by us Westerners, since the time of Rome. I honestly didn't know why it was changed to "Iran", but am aware of their 'Aryan' ideology and connections to Zoroastrian religion. They do have an Ancient religion, society, and culture, that extends far before and underneath the revolutions of Islam takeover. It's a very interesting Pagan mythology.

Zoroastrianism is indeed very interesting, and is apparently the true origin of both dualism and monotheism. Unfortunately, it has suffered centuries of repression by Islam, and its adherents now number less than 1% of the population. There's still at least one temple, though, in the city of Yazd, where Zoroastrian priests have kept a flame continuously burning since AD 470.

[Wizard22]

Furthermore, Persians have suffered many waves of expulsion and exile, because their 'Liberal' residents and citizens fled from waves of conflict and Islamification. "Iranians" throughout the West celebrated Trump and Netanyahu's military attacks, because they seek an end to the hardline, ultra-Conservative stranglehold Shia Islam has over the region and culture. The Persian expats want for Iran, the wealth of life they've created outside of Iran, for their families back home. But there's much chaos there now, we can only hope for the best at this point.

That conflict could go any direction at this point.

[Maia]

Furthermore, Persians have suffered many waves of expulsion and exile, because their 'Liberal' residents and citizens fled from waves of conflict and Islamification. "Iranians" throughout the West celebrated Trump and Netanyahu's military attacks, because they seek an end to the hardline, ultra-Conservative stranglehold Shia Islam has over the region and culture. The Persian expats want for Iran, the wealth of life they've created outside of Iran, for their families back home. But there's much chaos there now, we can only hope for the best at this point.

That conflict could go any direction at this point.

The repressive regime certainly needed to go, but foreign intervention to make this happen might be counterproductive. No one likes their country being bombed. I find it interesting that the current claimant to the Iranian throne is positioning himself for a comeback, which may be the best option.

[phyllo]

I find it interesting that the current claimant to the Iranian throne is positioning himself for a comeback, which may be the best option.

"Best" in what way?

[Immanuel Can]

In the 1930s the Shah of Persia announced to the world that henceforth, he wanted everyone to call his country Iran. In its own language it had always been called Iran, or something similar. The word is cognate with the term Aryan, and the Shah was trying to curry favour with the Nazis. In the West, however, since the time of the ancient Greeks, the country had always been known as Persia, which properly speaking, is just an Iranian province. The problem with this name change, though, is that it effectively cut Iran off from its history, from a Western perspective, and by the 1950s the Iranians had realised the cultural damage this had done, and announced that either Persia or Iran were fine. But it was too late, and no one listened.

I think this is a lesson for any country that insists on dictating what their country is known as in English. The inhabitants of Suomi don't seem to mind, for example, that everyone else calls their country Finland, and the people of Deutschland don't care that their country has a whole load of different names in other European languages.

My Persian friends all call it "Persia." The relish the association with the ancient glories of that empire, and look back with fondness on their Persian heritage. And they prefer to disassociate themselves from the excesses of "the Revolution" and all the fanaticism, stupidity, misery and destruction is has caused, which they find an embarassment to their august history. Their pride is in the name "Persia."

So I say "Persia" to them. And they appreciate the courtesy of that. I think I'd recommend that.

[Impenitent]

Iranian rugs/carpets don't sound as good

-Imp

[phyllo]

I don't think 'Persia (So Far Away)' would have been a hit song. 'Iran (So Far Away)' just sounds better.

[Immanuel Can]

I don't think 'Persia (So Far Away)' would have been a hit song. 'Iran (So Far Away)' just sounds better.

Flock of Seagulls. You must have grown up in the '80s. Maybe it should have been "Weran" (Strange Advance).

[Maia]

I find it interesting that the current claimant to the Iranian throne is positioning himself for a comeback, which may be the best option.

"Best" in what way?

The most stable solution, at least for now.

[Maia]

In the 1930s the Shah of Persia announced to the world that henceforth, he wanted everyone to call his country Iran. In its own language it had always been called Iran, or something similar. The word is cognate with the term Aryan, and the Shah was trying to curry favour with the Nazis. In the West, however, since the time of the ancient Greeks, the country had always been known as Persia, which properly speaking, is just an Iranian province. The problem with this name change, though, is that it effectively cut Iran off from its history, from a Western perspective, and by the 1950s the Iranians had realised the cultural damage this had done, and announced that either Persia or Iran were fine. But it was too late, and no one listened.

I think this is a lesson for any country that insists on dictating what their country is known as in English. The inhabitants of Suomi don't seem to mind, for example, that everyone else calls their country Finland, and the people of Deutschland don't care that their country has a whole load of different names in other European languages.

My Persian friends all call it "Persia." The relish the association with the ancient glories of that empire, and look back with fondness on their Persian heritage. And they prefer to disassociate themselves from the excesses of "the Revolution" and all the fanaticism, stupidity, misery and destruction is has caused, which they find an embarassment to their august history. Their pride is in the name "Persia."

So I say "Persia" to them. And they appreciate the courtesy of that. I think I'd recommend that.

Yes, that's very much the impression I get, too. Persia evokes ancient mystery and intrigue, an exotic land of secrets, while Iran evokes mad mullahs and terrorism.

[Maia]

Iranian rugs/carpets don't sound as good

-Imp

Nor cats.

[phyllo]

I find it interesting that the current claimant to the Iranian throne is positioning himself for a comeback, which may be the best option.

"Best" in what way?

The most stable solution, at least for now.

A large part of the population does not want a return to the monarchy.

It sounds like a fairly divisive solution.

[Maia]

"Best" in what way?

The most stable solution, at least for now.

A large part of the population does not want a return to the monarchy.

It sounds like a fairly divisive solution.

There needs to be some sort of figurehead to rally round, and to connect the people to their history. That's pretty much the entire job of a monarch, in the modern world.