Abstract: Ancient sports in Iran have always been under deep impacts which are rooted in ancient Persian rituals such as Mithraism. Many Of demonstrations played in Zurkhaneh- both ritual and rehearsal ones- and the elements used in Zurkhaneh architecture, and even the place where building is located, reminding us of those sacramental traditions. On the other hand, Heroic and Athletic belief are of the most important parts of the Zurkhaneh culture. By the advent of Islam and growing shi`ite tendencies amongst Iranian people, and the deep moral impact of Imam Ali –the first shi`ite Imam- on Iranians, he became the new hero for the athletes in Zurkhaneh. After the triumph of Islam in in Iran, other branches of this new born religion, like Sufism, had their own impact on Athletic sports: in the way they dressed up, and even in the way they rehearsed in Zurkhaneh; and above all, on sport`s concept and athletic morals like honesty, chastity and philanthropy. Alongside those things mentioned above, Architecture of Zurkhaneh itself is influenced by Iranian ancient belief such as Mithraism and then, Sufism and Islam.
