Common epigraphic discourses in contemporary Iran

Inscriptions can be categorized into four general groups based on their function and content: religious inscriptions, commonly found in places of worship; educational inscriptions, serving an instructive purpose; memorial inscriptions, which commemorate and convey information; and decorative inscriptions, primarily intended for embellishment. These categories may evolve due to cultural and political shifts, impacting the choice of text and font type, reflecting the prevailing sovereignty concept of the era. By analyzing the cultural and political governance discourse in contemporary Iran, specifically during the Pahlavi and Islamic Republic periods, insights can be gained from examining inscriptions. Such analyses highlight the influence of ruling ideologies on Iranian inscriptions, revealing the government's control over text selection, even in inscriptions. This article addresses two key questions: the societal trends and functions evident in contemporary inscriptions, and the extent of the ruling ideology's impact on the inscription process. The research concludes that the discourse of nationalism was prevalent in the Pahlavi era, where calligraphy and literature endowed commemorative inscriptions with distinctive identities. Notably, commemorative, and instructive inscriptions were characteristic of the Pahlavi period. Conversely, the Islamic Republic period witnessed an unprecedented expansion of religious inscriptions due to the proliferation of religious structures. These inscriptions often employed Sol’s script and incorporated Quranic verses and Hadith, emphasizing religious themes as their primary function.