When a human encountered a jinn, the entity might grant the person's wishes or trick them at the last moment. He also oversaw the orderly change of the seasons, maintained cosmic order, and was responsible for bestowing divine grace on kings, legitimizing their rule and, as a protector of the faithful, was also invoked by warriors before battle and so became known as a . Agas demon of illness, especially of the eyes. Geus-Urvani god of cattle and their protector. Saena (Senmurv) the great falcon who sits in the top branches of the Tree of All Seeds. He has a magic cup used in divination which was thought to contain the elixir of immortality. The snake, like in many other mythologies, was a symbol of evil, but many other animals and birds appear in Iranian mythology, and, especially, the birds were signs of good omens. 30 Apr 2023. Dogs in ancient Persia were accorded an especially high status and, in later Zoroastrian belief, guarded the Chinvat Bridge (which would replace the image of the dark river in the Crossing of the Separator) spanning the abyss between life and death. The Persians were initially part of a migratory people who referred to themselves as Aryan, meaning noble or free and having nothing to do with race. He was favored by the gods and given supernatural powers. Nairyosangha an angel associated with fire and, therefore, purity; Ahura Mazda's messenger who also carries the prayers of people from earth to heaven. It was later re-imagined as the bull Srisok who brought the holy ritual fires to earth which had been first kindled by Ahura Mazda. Ancient Persian Mythology. He was overthrown by the hero Fereydun who restored order and justice. Afterwards, his successors must struggle to maintain just rule since deception and trickery will now regularly play a part in politics. Submitted by Joshua J. Karmak continuously fed on human beings and livestock until killed by the hero Karsasp who showered it with arrows. Yima (Yama) the first mortal king to have ruled. It was the first of the seven regions created by Ahura Mazda. He derives strength from the proper worship of the people; fighting well when offerings are made in the right spirit and faltering when his worshipers neglect him. Al (Hal) nocturnal predator demons who fed on newborns and could harm or kill women in late-stage pregnancies. The dog was considered the best protection against these demons and also warded off cats. Dogs would welcome a justified soul and reject those who had been condemned. Manticore man-eater, a monster with the head of a man, body of a lion, and tail of a scorpion who devoured people whole, leaving no trace of them except sometimes spatters of blood. In a story which some scholars cite as a direct influence on the later biblical Noah's Ark tale, Yima also saves the world from destruction. Like the unicorn, the karkadann could be tamed by a virgin. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. 30 Apr 2023. Her archenemy is Zarich, the demon of ageing. This so-called 'mythology', in fact, would go on to inform Zoroastrianism which, in turn, would influence the development of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Mithra one of the most popular and best-known gods of the Persian pantheon, Mithra was the god of the rising sun, covenants, and contracts and is therefore also associated with friendship. Royal Stars the four major stars which influenced or, at times, governed human events. Historically, these were regions long ruled by dynasties of various Iranian empires,[note 1][1][2][3] that incorporated considerable aspects of Persian culture through extensive contact with them,[note 2] or where sufficient Iranian peoples settled to still maintain communities who patronize their respective cultures. Tawrich demon of hunger, want, and need. Jamshid (Jam, Yima Kshaeta) the fourth king of the world who brought civilization to its greatest height, initiated the construction of cities, established social hierarchy, and introduced winemaking. Ahriman ( Angra Mainyu ), the Spirit of Evil that dwelt in the Absolute Darkness, sought to destroy all that Ohrmuzd had created, and sent the demoness Jeh ( Jahi . They are the sworn enemies of the Amesha Spentas and all that is good and work closely with the drujs who are mostly female demons. He is associated with Simurgh, the dog-bird, whose feathers could be used to invoke her in times of need. Related Content With your support millions of people learn about history entirely for free, every month. On the side of good was a pantheon of gods and spirits presided over by the supreme deity Ahura Mazda, the creator of all things seen and unseen, and, opposing these, was Angra Mainyu (also given as Ahriman), the spirit of evil, chaos, and confusion with his legion of demons and assorted supernatural (and natural) creatures and animals. The ahuras were good spirits and the daivas were evil; both influenced human life and thought. Vizaresha - demon who drags souls into hell from the Chinvat Bridge, associated with the demons Asto Vidatu and Aesma Daeva. But archaeology is confirming that Persia's engineering . Most characters in Persian mythology are either good, or they are evil. Srosh an angel, possibly the same as Sraosa/Suroosh, who announces the time of death of the king. The dragon Azhi Sruvara preyed on humans and horses while another, Gandareva, stirred up the seas and sank ships. They were generally regarded with suspicion, and amulets were carried by merchants and travelers for protection against them. They can also appear as rats, shooting stars, or in other forms. Injuring, or attempting to injure, the Huma Bird would bring a lifetime of bad luck. The Arabian NightsK.C. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. After Ahura Mazda created the world and Gavaevodta and set all in motion, the Primordial Bull was killed by Angra Mainyu for no reason other than that he could. Kamak is so enormous that its spread wings blocked the rain, bringing drought to the land, and in the chaos which followed it easily plucked up human and animal prey to feed on. With your support millions of people learn about history entirely for free, every month. The most feared among them were the Al (Hal) who preyed on newborns and their mothers. Huma Bird a mystical bird who lived an exceptionally long life before dying in its own flames and rising again like the Phoenix. Daevas the mostly male demons in the service of Angra Mainyu who spread lies and disorder in the world. Azhi Dahaka was the great three-headed dragon created out of the lies of Angra Mainyu to thwart any positive impulse in the world and create chaos. They were considered so important that their role as guardians was preserved once the early religion of the Persians was reimagined by the prophet Zoroaster (c. 1500-1000 BCE) who kept them as the keepers of the Chinvat Bridge, the span across the abyss between the world of the living and the dead. Hushedar-mar the second of three saviors to appear before the end of the world. Its horn was thought to be a powerful antidote to poison and seeing one was thought to bring good luck. These include a creation myth and a vision of afterlife, which Islam shares with the other Abrahamic . He will be resurrected in the final days to slay the dragon Azhi Dahaka. He is a shapeshifter and can appear as a bull with yellow ears and golden horns, a white horse with gold trappings, a mighty camel, a strong boar, a young man in fighting form at the age of 15 (considered the ideal age when a boy became a man), as a huge ram, an agile deer, a warrior wielding a golden sword, a strong wind, or a great bird. Shabrang Behzad the mighty black horse of the hero Siyavash. Books Rustum is born and, after one day, is the size and strength of a one-year-old and continues growing quickly to the height of a cypress tree and with the strength of an elephant (Curtis, 39). World History Publishing is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. The god Vouru-Kasa watches over, and embodies, the sea and his son, Apam-Natat, is responsible for dispersing the waters around the world. Apam-Napat a water god whose name means child of the waters. Shahriyar allows her to live so he can hear the ending. The evil demons known as khrafstra tried to kill it, taking on the form of a frog and a lizard to eat it, but the plant was protected by the Kara fish who swam around it and kept them away as well as by the Righteous Ass, a pure-white donkey with a single golden horn on his forehead, three legs, nine mouths, and six eyes. Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Our mission is to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Like Simurgh and the later Phoenix, the Huma was thought to live an immensely long life, die in its own flames, and give birth to itself afterwards. World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. He was considered the greatest protection against evil. The Persian hero Karsasp finally kills Kamak by showering it with arrows continuously. One notable example of this is the creature not yet mentioned here known as the Karakadann/Koresk better known as the unicorn a shy and elusive animal who kept to itself in remote places. Zal summons Simurgh who teaches him how to deliver the child through Caesarian section and also instructs him in the medicinal use of plants. Another great threat to order and human happiness was the dragon (known as azhi) and the most fearsome of these was Azhi Dahaka who is described as three-mouthed, the three-headed, the six-eyed, who has a thousand sensesmost powerful, to destroy the world of the good principle (Yasht 9.14; Curtis, 23). The ancient Persian religious tradition was passed down orally, and the only written texts relating to it come from after the prophet Zoroaster (c. 1500-1000 BCE) initiated the reforms which would become Zoroastrianism. was Ahura Mazda Ahura Mazd was worshipped by the Persian king Darius I (reigned 522-486 bce) and his successors as the greatest of all gods and protector of the just king. At the end of the bridge, the angel Rashnu would judge the soul based on its deeds in life and assign it a fitting home in the afterlife, either the House of Song (paradise) or the House of Lies (hell). Her name means Belonging to Ahura and, as ahuranis, is also used in reference to divine spirits (ahuras) who fight against evil forces and protect humanity. Web. The dog features prominently in one of the most popular and enduring figures from Persian mythology, Simurgh, the so-called dog-bird. God splits heaven from earth, darkness and light, night and day, evening and morning, water and sky, sets of . Like all other animals, the dog owed its existence to the life-giving energies of one of the first of Ahura Mazda's creations, the Primordial Bull. Two dogs guard the Chinvat Bridge and welcome justified souls while rebuking those who lived according to lies. He is one of the Amesha Spentas and a powerful opponent against the forces of evil. World History Encyclopedia. His name means Lord of Wisdom. The stories which had once made up the religious understanding of the people now became fables myths which entertained while also encouraging the same cultural values they always had, only now in a monotheistic context. Zal becomes a great prince and marries the princess Rudabeh who has a difficult time giving birth to their son. Known as the Watcher of the South. In Persian mythology and folklore, Jamshid is described as the fourth and greatest king of the epigraphically unattested Pishdadian . Their enemies are the daevas, evil spirits of darkness. There were four levels ascending upwards from the Chinvat Bridge, where judgment was given, each brighter and lovelier than the last until one reached the highest heaven where the soul would live in the direct light of Ahura Mazda. Dogs dogs feature prominently in Persian mythology as forces for good. Persian mythological motifs are evident in aspects of Vedic, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Greek religious systems and, through later development by Zoroastrian thinkers, would come to influence significant aspects of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, among others; suggesting Persian mythological thought as foundational to religious belief worldwide in the modern era. These figures, and many others like them, embodied the daily fears of the people such as loss of a child (the Al) or unexplained death or disappearance (the manticore) or why events in life could go so wrong when everything seemed to have been proceeding so smoothly. Atar the god of fire who is also the personification of fire and physically present when fires are lighted. Winged Figure, Rock-Cut Tombs of QizqapanOsama Shukir Muhammed Amin (Copyright). His mere existence immobilized Ahriman, the evil spirit who wanted to invade creation. The central vision of ancient Persian religion was of a universal struggle between the forces of good & evil, order & chaos. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Mashya and Mashyanag live in complete harmony with the animals of the world, each other, and Ahura Mazda until Angra Mainyu comes into their paradise and seduces them by claiming that he is their creator and master of the world and that Ahura Mazda has been deceiving them. Simurgh originally appears as the Great Falcon known as Saena who sits high in the branches of the Tree of All Seeds at the center of the world and, by flapping her wings, sends seeds scattering through the air which find their place in the earth through wind and rain. Also known as Sepandarmaz who inspires the day of devotion to women celebrated annually in Iran as Sepandarmazgan (also given as espandegan). Gavaevodata the Primordial Bull (also known as the Uniquely Created Bull, Primordial Bovine, Primordial Ox), the first unique creature made by Ahura Mazda after the creation of sky, water, earth, and vegetation. The stories of these creatures, gods, and spirits as well as the heroes who contended with them were passed down in a long oral tradition until they were included in parts of the Avesta and, more fully, in the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi written between 977-1010 CE. Amesha Spentas also known as yazatas, the Amesha Spentas are seven immortal beings worthy of worship who personify the highest values and greatest goods. Kara Fish fish that protect the Tree of Seeds and the plant Gaokerena in the middle of the Vourukasha Sea. Gaya Maretan the first king of the Iranians (in some legends) who established law in the land and initiated civilization. There were two forces at work in the universe which were antithetical to each other and whichever side one aligned one's self with would define one's earthly journey and destination in the afterlife. Mark, Joshua J.. "Ancient Persian Mythology." The conflict between good and evil is prevalent in Persian myths as well as Zoroastrianism. Iraj's portion was thought the best and so his brothers killed him for it. World History Publishing is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. Chamrosh is also a protective entity who defends Persians against outside invaders, especially raiders, swooping down upon them and carrying them off. The great bird Chamrosh (with a dog's body and eagle's head and wings) assists in distributing seeds from the Great Tree and also protects Persians against threats by non-Persians while, on the opposing side, is the enormous bird Kamak who seeks to thwart whatever good Chamrosh intends. Some, like the Peri or the Al, were considered a constant in one's life while others such as Simurgh or Azhi Dahaka represented a universal paradigm which informed one's present. Ahura Mazda thereby sets the paradigm, repeated in many other instances, of turning Angra Mainyu's efforts at destruction to positive ends. Sassanian-style Plate with Simurghakhenatenator (Public Domain). The effort of firing his great bow such a long distance killed him, but his spirit remains and continues to encourage others, especially those who are in danger of losing their way. In some passages, he is the twin brother of Angra Mainyu. Bibliography The gods tell Yima that a hard winter is coming and he should gather a man, woman, the seeds of all kinds of vegetation, and two of each kind of animal in a large three-tiered barn. Chamrosh is also a protective entity, who swoops down upon non-Iranian invaders, pecking at them and driving them away. Zal Taken by the Simurgh (Public Domain). He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. Related Content Author's Note: Grateful acknowledgement to Dr. Ezat Heydari for suggestions on this article. She continues this pattern for one thousand and one nights and so saves herself. He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. Ahura Mazda had created human beings with free will to choose which course they would follow and, if one chose rightly, one would live well and find paradise in the afterlife, if poorly, one lived a life of confusion and strife and was dropped into the torment of hell after death. The world, seen and unseen, was created by Ahura Mazda, the source of all good and all life. She was a companion of Mithra. Mithra is the Persian god of the rising sun, contracts, covenants, and friendship. Izha goddess of sacrifice. Every civilization of the ancient world developed a belief system, which is characterized as 'mythology' in the present day but which, for them, was religious belief, and this was as true for ancient Persia as for any other. Originally confined to ideas of social and . He is only finally killed through deceit but still is victorious in maintaining order against chaos. This page was last edited on 25 March 2023, at 20:33. They are Armaiti (Devotion), Asha Vahishta (Truth/Righteousness), Haurvatat (Wholeness), Khshathra Vairya (Desirable Dominion), Vohu Manah (Good Purpose), Spenta Mainyu (Holy Spirit), Ameretat (Immortality). Dragon-serpents ( azhi) frequently appear in Persian mythology as the embodiment of evil and disorder, and Azhi Dahaka was the most fearsome of them all. Many of the other gods of the original Early Iranian Religion were forgotten, however, and are only known through brief reference in Zoroastrian scripture, religious literature, and the tales collected and written down in works such as the Shahnameh and One Thousand Nights and a Night. Books World History Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. Robert Alter in the Art of Biblical Narrative, recognizes that the Persian creation story of Genesis is utterly dualist. Arash the archer, great hero who fired his arrow to mark the boundary between Iran and Turan. Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University. The Umm-Naush were a subset of the evil spirits known as Khrafstra. The waters are said to come from the Alburz Mountains through ice-melt and collect in the Vourukasha Sea and, from there, flow outwards to form all the other bodies of water in the world. Ahuras divine spirits of light, emanations of Ahura Mazda, protectors and defenders of humanity; also known as ahuranis. The god Mithra might still be invoked and his battle with the dragon Azhi Dahaka still be told, but it was understood that Mithra was now simply Ahura Mazda fighting the forces of evil. Gaokerena the healing and life-giving haoma plant which grew nearby the Tree of All Seeds in the center of the Vourukasha Sea. The force equated with fortune or destiny which defined a person's role in life. War in Europe fuels geopolitical tensions . Following his father's footsteps, Zoroaster entered the priesthood from a young age and seems to have been born into a relatively wealthy family. Simurgh tells Zal to return to his father and the world of humans but gives him a feather (in some versions, three feathers) which he should use to summon her if he needs help. House of Lies the dark abode of the dead, a hell in which the condemned soul was tormented while simultaneously feeling completely alone. There are two main parts to the Persian creation story this second part of the story is what we shall be focusing on for today's lesson in Persian mythology, the spirit of good, one of the original beings in the universe, was the creator of the world his name. World History Encyclopedia, 16 Jan 2020. Ancient Persian Mythology is the term now referencing ancient Iranian religion prior to the rise of Zoroastrianism between c. 1500-1000 BCE. Central to one's spiritual journey was how well a person treated animals, especially dogs. A comprehensive list, or at least an attempt at one, should therefore prove useful to anyone interested in the subject of Persian mythology and religion specifically or the study of myth . The following is a list of the various entities of pre-Zoroastrian Persia who appear in some of the most famous myths and legends. He was later recognized in the post-Zoroastrian movement of Zorvanism as god of limited space and time. At this point, Ahura Mazda's supernatural enemy enters the narrative Angra Mainyu (also known as Ahriman) who embodies chaos, darkness, and evil. Khvarenah divine glory the force which enables a person to perform the function they are supposed to in life, synonymous with farr (divine grace) which legitimized the reign of a king. A Peri might bring a message from the gods or, alternately, trick someone into believing some untruth or an outright lie. This is also true for many creatures of ancient Persian mythology, the forces for good as well as evil, in that they touch upon universal concerns of the human condition through the specific details of their characters symbolizing various apprehensions and possibilities. Vouru-Kasa a water god who is the keeper and protector of the waters of the Vourukasha Sea, the source of all waters, and is the embodiment of that sea. Karshiptar (Karshipta) the swiftly flying giant bird who spreads the truth of Ahura Mazda around the world; later said to have spread Zoroaster's vision of Ahura Mazda as the one true god which enabled the faith to reach so many people and take hold. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Gaymart's spirit, with that of the primeval ox, lived for 3,000 years during the period in which creation was only spiritual. He fell from divine grace when he began to think more highly of himself than he should have. Help us and translate this definition into another language! 2) Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed world-religions. Aka Manah daeva (evil spirit) of sensuality and desire; tempter of the prophet Zoroaster who tried to seduce him away from devotion to Ahura Mazda. In the religious movement of Zorvanism, he became the father of Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu, twin brothers, and Time became the supreme power in the universe against which nothing could stand. License. Zarich the demon of ageing and decrepitude. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2023) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. Sassanian-style Plate with Simurghakhenatenator (Public Domain). Airyaman god of friendship, healing, reconciliation. A comprehensive list, or at least an attempt at one, should therefore prove useful to anyone interested in the subject of Persian mythology and religion specifically or the study of myth, folklore, and religion generally. (2019, December 09). Rustum (Rostom, Rustam) the great hero of the Shahnameh, grandson of King Sam, son of the hero Zal and the Princess Rudaabeh. Jahi (Jeh) female demon of lasciviousness referenced as the Whore who defiles altars and corrupts women. World History Encyclopedia. Thank you! World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. Vayu (Vayu-Vatu, Vata) god of the wind who lived between worlds, in the interface between the good of Ahura Mazda and the evil of Angra Mainyu and so could be a powerful force for either side. World History Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. Cats although there is myth associating the creation of the cat with the hero Rustum, cats were generally regarded with suspicion or outright fear because they were associated with the physical manifestation of the demons known as khrafstra who appeared as frogs, lizards, wasps, but also as animals such as lions and tigers.
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