Belief in such beings and their stories designated in the modern-day as 'mythology' was simply their sincere religious system, as valid to them as any religion is to an adherent in the present. Her name means immaculate and she is depicted as a beautiful young woman in a white gown brocaded with gold wearing a gold crown and carrying the sacred barsom twigs which represented the earth; sometimes also shown with a water pitcher. A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. The early Iranian deities were almost completely reimagined by Zoroaster but many retained their original function to greater or lesser degrees. Afterwards, justified souls went on to paradise where they were reunited with those who had gone before; evil souls were dropped into a dark hell of torment. The list attempts to be complete but will omit some minor deities and even some heroes whose qualities are represented by others more famous. Twelve Ancient Persian Mythological Creatures. Mark has lived in Greece and Germany and traveled through Egypt. Once animals and plant life were in place, Ahura Mazda created the first man, Gayomartan (also given as Gayomard, Kiyumars) who is beautiful and bright as the sun and so attracts the attention of Angra Mainyu who kills him. He is depicted with a helmet, shield, and spear and is associated with metal and metallurgy, especially with molten brass, thus linking him with transformation. Faravahar at PersepolisNapishtim (CC BY-SA). The Chinvat Bridge is the span between the world of the living Shadows in the Desert: Ancient Persia at War. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2023) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. Please donate to our server cost fundraiser 2023, so that we can produce more history articles, videos and translations. If someone saw or even thought they saw the bird flying overhead, however, it was a great blessing. Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! It was probably compiled in the eighth and ninth centuries, though it reflects ancient Zorastrian (and pre-Zorastrian) teachings. Saena Tree (Tree of All Remedies, Tree of All Seeds) the great tree and mother of all trees, mother of all plants which grows in the middle of the Vourukasha Sea and sends the seeds of all vegetation out into the world when the Saena Bird, who lives in its branches, flaps its wings. Azhi Dahaka the great three-headed dragon created from the lies of Angra Mainyu to corrupt order and thwart the best impulses of the world. He was considered the greatest protection against evil. Along with the demon Aesma Daeva, he waits to catch souls with a rope and pull them from the bridge, but justified souls are protected by the angel Suroosh and comforted by the Holy Maiden, Daena. Robert Alter in the Art of Biblical Narrative, recognizes that the Persian creation story of Genesis is utterly dualist. No matter how many times they were beheaded, new heads grew on them to guard him. Zam-Armatay Mother Nature, the goddess of deified earth, the earth-energy which makes all things live and grow. The god Vouru-Kasa watches over, and embodies, the sea and his son, Apam-Natat, is responsible for dispersing the waters around the world. Founded by Zoroaster, an Iranian prophet, In 6th Century BC. Last modified January 16, 2020. According to one part of his legend, Jamshid banished a woman of his harem who, in attempting to commit suicide afterwards, drank a bottle of fermented grape juice thinking it was poison. 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. The general khrafstra manifested themselves frequently in the natural world, taking on the form of wasps, stinging ants, beasts of prey, rodents, spiders, and similar creatures. He was a god of courage and enlightenment, and led the chariot of the sun across the sky on its daily journey. He is the son of the water god Vouru-Kasa, keeper of the waters, who gives water to humans. World History Encyclopedia, 16 Jan 2020. 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. One branch of these Aryans settled in and around the region now known as Iran (originally known as Ariana the land of the Aryans) prior to the 3rd millennium BCE and are referred to as Indo-Iranians; another branch settled in the Indus Valley and are known as Indo-Aryans. 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. 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. This renewal of interest is not easily explained. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Ameretat goddess of immortality whose name means life or living. The biblical flood story is a composite of two flood stories spliced together (commonly called Yahwistic and Priestly), [1] and most biblical scholars agree that it is ultimately dependent on a Mesopotamian flood story. World History Encyclopedia. The Al, like the other khrafstra, were invisible unless they wanted to be seen so, for the most part, only their effects made people aware of their existence. The soul then approached the Chinvat Bridge which was guarded by two dogs who would welcome the justified soul and rebuff those who were evil. Interpreting this as an evil omen, Sam abandons the newborn in the Alburz Mountains and leaves him to die. Related Content his approval rating hitting 89 percent at the end of the Persian Gulf War. 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. After Zoroastrianism's development, he became the only god of the new faith; later known as Ormuzd and Hormuzd. Daevas the mostly male demons in the service of Angra Mainyu who spread lies and disorder in the world. 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. African mythology commonly depicts the cosmos anthropomorphically. This was a polytheistic faith with a pantheon led by the supreme god Ahura Mazda ("Lord of Wisdom"), champion of order, against the dark forces of Angra Mainyu ("Destructive Spirit") and his legions of chaos. Zal summons Simurgh who teaches him how to deliver the child through Caesarian section and also instructs him in the medicinal use of plants. Whether one or the other, the natural and supernatural forces the figures represent were recognized as quite real and steps were taken to defend against the malevolent and give proper respect to those who wished only the best for humanity. Simurgh had the head of a dog, body of a peacock, and claws of a lion and lived 1,700 years, acquiring all knowledge, before dying in a flame of its own making and rising again. Guardian of the vernal equinox. . . Gavaevodata, an androgyne, was so beautiful that Angra Mainyu killed it but Ahura Mazda purified the bull's seed and, from this, came all other animals on earth. Its horn was said to have healing powers. The human body is a microcosm that incorporates the same primordial elements and essential forces that make up the universe. Among the latter were dogs who personified the protective aspects of divinity and figure in the representations of some of the most important benevolent creatures. Ancient Persian Gods, Heroes, and Creatures - The Complete List. Zoroastruanism is the ancient pre-Islamic religion. Similar to the Jinn were the Peri (fairies) who could be mischievous or helpful. A creation myth (or creation story) is a cultural, religious or traditional myth which describes the earliest beginnings of the present world. Even so, for his virtuous service, he was made Lord of the Dead, and the afterlife was initially known as Yima's Realm. Mark, J. J. Tiri god of agriculture associated closely with Tishtyra and sometimes given as his twin; poorly attested and possibly the same deity in an earlier form. 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. Zarich the demon of ageing and decrepitude. World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. Drvaspa goddess of cattle, children, and friendship, who promotes harmony. In some passages, he is the twin brother of Angra Mainyu. Two dogs guard the Chinvat Bridge and welcome justified souls while rebuking those who lived according to lies. When the population grew too large, he enlarged the world and also saved the world when the gods informed him a bitter winter was coming and he enclosed animals, vegetation, and seeds in a giant barn (a tale preceding the biblical narrative of Noah and his Ark) to preserve life. Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University. The stories were passed down orally over the centuries until they were written down as part of the religious tradition of Zoroastrianism in the Avesta (Zoroastrian scripture) during the Sassanian Period (224-651 CE) in the reigns of the kings Shapur II (309-379 CE) and Kosrau I (531-579 CE) and then were fully addressed by the Persian poet Abolqasem Ferdowsi (l. 940-1020 CE) in his epic work Shahnameh (The Book of Kings) written between 977-1010 CE. World History Encyclopedia. The stars worked for good on the side of Ahura Mazda; the planets were controlled by Angra Mainyu and attempted to corrupt or block the good influence of the stars. 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. Daena would appear and, for the justified soul, would be a beautiful young woman while, to the condemned, she would appear as an ugly hag. Vourukasha Sea the primordial sea from which all other waters flow on earth. She was closely associated with the god Mithra and her sacred animals were the dove and peacock. 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 . 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 greatest Persian hero is Rustum (also given as Rostom and Rustam) who is the grandson of the hero Sam and son of the equally heroic Zal. Afterwards, his successors must struggle to maintain just rule since deception and trickery will now regularly play a part in politics. Author's Note: Grateful acknowledgement to Dr. Ezat Heydari for suggestions on this article. 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. He was favored by the gods and given supernatural powers. Twinship is a predominant theme in much West African myth and ritual, because the human body is conceived as the twin of the cosmic body. Sam is the grandfather of the great champion Rustum. Many creation myths draw on trees as symbols of life. The World History Encyclopedia logo is a registered trademark. Mark, Joshua J.. "Ancient Persian Mythology." Chamrosh a giant bird with a dog's body and the head and wings of an eagle. How these deities were venerated by the pre-Zoroastrian Persians is unclear but it is certain that rituals involved fire (considered a divine element and also a god), were conducted outdoors, and elevated the supreme principle of Goodness personified in the being of Ahura Mazda, king of the gods. Faravahar the famous Persian symbol of a royal figure seated on a solar disc in the center of outstretched wings, usually interpreted as representing divine grace and higher powers. He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. 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. Ardashir I & Ahura MazdaLutf 'Ali Khan (Copyright). The stories which form the basis of Persian mythology come from early Persian religious belief. He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. Zahhak (Avestan: Ai Dahka) was guarded by two vipers which grew out from both of his shoulders. Creation began when he cast a beam of his pure light into . When Hushedar-mar appeared, people would stop drinking milk and the sun would stand still for twenty days. Haoma god of the harvest, health, strength, and vitality; personification of the haoma plant whose juices brought enlightenment and of which Gaokerena was the greatest and largest. After the soul has left the body, it was thought to linger on earth for three days while the gods came to a decision regarding one's life and final fate. Known as the golden-heeled, he was finally defeated and killed by the hero Karsasp. Myth and history represent alternative ways of looking at the past. The Peris are tiny, lovely, winged creatures neither good nor evil who enjoy playing pranks on people but can also be helpful. [4][5] The Encyclopdia Iranica uses the term Iranian Cultural Continent for this region.[6][7]. Venant (Vanant) one of the Four Royal Stars (modern designation Regulus) who worked for the good under Ahura Mazda. Persian mythology or Iranian mythology ( Persian : ) is the body of the myths originally told by ancient Persians and other Iranian peoples, and a genre of Ancient Persian folklore. We want people all over the world to learn about history. In some versions, Rashnu reads from the scrolls relating the good and bad deeds done by the soul in life, in others he holds golden scales which weigh these deeds against each other to determine the soul's destination in the afterlife. Upon the earth, Ahura Mazda spread all different kinds of vegetation and imbued it with its own life and then created Gavaevodta, the Primordial Bull (also given as the uniquely created bull, Primordial Bovine, and Primordial Ox) who would give life to all other animals which would feed on, and fertilize, the vegetation. The oldest Persian deity was Mithra, who was identified with the sun. Mark, J. J. The term 'mythology' comes from the Greek mythos (story-of-the-people) and logos (word or speech), meaning the spoken story of a people. They are Armaiti (Devotion), Asha Vahishta (Truth/Righteousness), Haurvatat (Wholeness), Khshathra Vairya (Desirable Dominion), Vohu Manah (Good Purpose), Spenta Mainyu (Holy Spirit), Ameretat (Immortality). Simurgh lived high in the Alburz Mountains, existing for a span of 1,700 years before it dove into a fire of its own creation and died, only to rise again (like the later Phoenix). One of the central values of ancient Persian culture was storytelling, and through their rich mythology, they created some of the most memorable characters and tales in world history which have fascinated audiences ever since. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2023) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. Kamak plays precisely the opposite role, feeding on Persians and their livestock and bringing destruction. This so-called 'mythology', in fact, would go on to inform Zoroastrianism which, in turn, would influence the development of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The result was a mythology based on a vision of grand-scale conflict between . Tistar god of rain, possibly another form of Tishtyra but most likely a separate deity. It was the first of the seven regions created by Ahura Mazda. The Al is a nocturnal predator who preys on newborns and was among the most feared of all the evil spirits. He then overthrew the king Jamshid and established a tyranny over the world which lasted 1,000 years. Karsasp (Keresaspa, Garshasp) the great hero who defeated Gandareva, Karmak, and engaged in many other adventures. Chamrosh and Kamak are also giant birds; Chamrosh a force for good and Kamak for evil. Dogs would welcome a justified soul and reject those who had been condemned. Karmak is the evil counterpart of the bird Chamrosh who spreads seeds, encourages fertility, and protects the people of the land. Satevis one of the Four Royal Stars (modern designation Antares) who worked for the good on the part of Ahura Mazda. Persian Hero GarshaspBaloo1000 (Public Domain). Peris, like jinns, are considered neutral in the war between Good and Evil and, also like them, are as apt to trick a person as to deal fairly. Vohu Manah good purpose, one of the seven Amesha Spentas, represented on earth by domesticated animals, especially the cow. He fell from divine grace when he began to think more highly of himself than he should have. There is little notice of the Persian god in the Roman world until the beginning of the 2nd century, but, from the year 136 ce onward, there are hundreds of dedicatory inscriptions to Mithra. It lives beneath the Tree of All Seeds, gathers up those which fall when Saena-Simurgh flaps her wings, and scatters them into the wind and rain clouds which deposit the seeds all over the earth. She was a companion of Mithra. He has a magic cup used in divination which was thought to contain the elixir of immortality. Jinn were thought to inhabit lonely places outside of established communities and were especially to be feared when crossing the desert and in stops at oases. When she found it produced pleasing sensations, she brought the rest to Jamshid who reinstated her and decreed that grapes should be used in making wine. He was later replaced by Mithra. World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. He was overthrown by the hero Fereydun who restored order and justice. Then Ahura Mazd created Gaymart . World History Encyclopedia. Gaya Maretan the first king of the Iranians (in some legends) who established law in the land and initiated civilization. Armaiti (Spenta Armaiti) goddess of devotion, daughter of Ahura Mazda, one of the seven Amesha Spentas. The gods, creatures, and heroes who made up these early stories of ancient Persian mythology are therefore scattered amongst the various works of Zoroastrianism and later collections of myth and fable. She is the later form of the earlier goddess Cista but with significant modifications such as her pivotal role at the Chinvat Bridge. (2019, December 09). 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. Shahriyar adopts a policy of marrying a virgin, spending a night with her, and executing her the next morning. Hushedar was followed by Hushedar-mar and then by Saoshyant, the final messiah (whose name means One Who Brings Benefit), who would bring the end of the world and reconciliation with Ahura Mazda. 30 Apr 2023. Sassanian-style Plate with Simurghakhenatenator (Public Domain). He was also associated with the haoma plant, as its protector, linking him with enlightenment and guided the faithful toward Truth (Asha) while defending them against the wiles of the forces of darkness. Aesma (Aesma-Daeva) demon of lust and rage whose name means 'Fury'. Eranvej the Pahlavi name for Airyaneum Vaejah, the center of the world. The strict monotheism of Islam does not allow for much mythological embellishment, and only reluctantly were the scriptural revelations of the Qurn elaborated and enlarged by commentators and popular preachers. The later sect of Zorvanism made Angra Mainyu the twin brother of Ahura Mazda, but this dualism was (and is) rejected by traditional Zoroastrians. 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. His seed was purified by the sun and engendered a rhubarb plant which later gave birth to the first mortal couple Mashya and Mashyanag, progenitors of all other humans. Karkadann a horned beast similar to a unicorn. From the shadows of a global pandemic has emerged an economic hangover. Winged Figure, Rock-Cut Tombs of Qizqapan. There were four levels descending down from the Chinvat Bridge, each one increasing in darkness until the lowest which was completely absent of all light. Suroosh symbolized protection & Daena one's own conscience. It lives beneath the Tree of All Seeds and, when the great bird Saena-Simurgh living high in the trees' branches flaps her wings, the seeds scatter and Chamorsh distributes them into the wind and rain to fall across the earth. Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter! Simurgh was an enormous bird with the head of a dog, body of a peacock, and claws of a lion, large enough to lift an elephant with ease, who lived in cycles of 1,700 years before plunging into a fire of its own making to die and be reborn (precursor to the later myth of the Phoenix). Indar the early god of courage, bravery, heroism, and warfare. In early myths, she is known as Saena, the Great Falcon, who sits in the upper branches of the Tree of All Seeds and, by fluttering her wings, sends seeds flying to the ground and across the world to find their way into the earth. A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. Her name means offering and she presided over and encouraged sacrifice to the gods. They were depicted as old women with long, stringy hair, sharp teeth, and talons. The dog was considered the best protection against these spirits as well as their physical manifestations. They largely appear in folklore as pranksters who hide objects or misdirect, and their most popular antics would be the ancient Persian equivalent of hiding a person's car keys.
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