Persian mythology, ancient Beliefs of the ancient Persian (Iranian) people. Hara Berezaiti (Alburz, Mount Hara, Haburz) - the first mountain whose name means "high watchtower", in the Vendidad, it is the mountain on the far side of the crossing between the land of the living and the dead, the Chinvat Bridge. World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. Cite This Work It lurked in the long, uncultivated grasses away from towns and cities and struck without warning except, sometimes, seems to have announced itself with a growl which sounded like a loud trumpet. 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. Mashya and Mashyana celebrated their union by knitting to the green branches of a plant known as Mord since there was no wedding ceremony. Hushedar the first of three saviors to appear before the end of the world. Azhdaha dragons, generally; large snakes who prey on people and livestock and are the regular adversaries of the great heroes. The dog was considered the best protection against these demons and also warded off cats. Geus-Urvani god of cattle and their protector. Fourth edition, new print. 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. At birth, the fravashi sends the soul (urvan) into the physical body so that it can contribute to the fight against evil and experience the material world. Known as the Watcher of the North. In some versions of the Persian* creation story a huge tree grew from the rotting corpse of the first human. 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). His mere existence immobilized Ahriman, the evil spirit who wanted to invade creation. Please support World History Encyclopedia. Peri (Avestan Pairika), a beautiful albeit evil woman in early mythology, gradually became less evil and more beautiful. Zam-Armatay Mother Nature, the goddess of deified earth, the earth-energy which makes all things live and grow. Vayu was considered a yazata (spirit worth worshipping) or a daeva (evil spirit) depending on how he sided at a given time. Tawrich demon of hunger, want, and need. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. License. Ancient Persian Gods, Heroes, and Creatures - The Complete List. Gavaevodata was so beautiful, it attracted the attention of Angra Mainyu who killed it and, afterwards, it was transported to the moon and purified; from its purified seed came all animals who would feed on, and fertilize, the earth's vegetation. The list attempts to be complete but will omit some minor deities and even some heroes whose qualities are represented by others more famous. Both assist the newly dead in their crossing from life to death. Thraetaona then installed Iraj's grandson Manuchehr in the throne of Iran. Buyasta demon of laziness who prevents people from doing what they should. The dog features prominently in one of the most popular and enduring figures from Persian mythology, Simurgh, the so-called dog-bird. It was also believed that, because cats at times attack enemies much larger than themselves, a diet of cat's flesh would (by sympathetic . He becomes the great hero of the Iranian forces against those of Turan and, though eventually killed through deceit and trickery, he prevails and order is restored. 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. They were invisible unless they wanted to be seen. Dogs warded off evil spirits, comforted and guided, and watched over one's most valuable possessions. He then overthrew the king Jamshid and established a tyranny over the world which lasted 1,000 years. 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. The gods, creatures, & heroes who made up the early stories are scattered amongst the various works of Zoroastrianism & later collections of myth & fable. War in Europe fuels geopolitical tensions . Shahrazad (Scheherazade) heroine of the One Thousand Nights and a Night who is married to the king Shahriyar. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. Nanghaithya demon of discontent and ingratitude who whispers poisonous lies to people of what they should have or could have and so deprives them of gratitude for all the good things they do have. The mace confers authority and so Mithra was also associated with farr (divine grace) which legitimized a king's rule. Persian MythologyPersian Mythology in ContextPersian mythology developed in what is now Iran around 1500 bce. 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. The following are all drawn from the sources listed below in the bibliography. She is the personification of one's conscience and, as such, to the justified soul she appears as a beautiful maiden while, to the condemned, she is an ugly and frightening old hag. It was the first of the seven regions created by Ahura Mazda. Dev demon of war and the terror of war, one of the most powerful daevas, completely lacking in morality or compassion. Geus-Tasan god of cattle and their creator. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1488/ancient-persian-gods-heroes-and-creatures---the-co/. Bibliography Humans were granted the gift of free will by Ahura Mazda, & the meaning of human existence comes down to choosing good over evil. Her name is translated to mean "to understand" or "to notice" and she inspired people to recognize the path they were on, change it if they were going wrong, and continue on with strength and perseverance if they were doing right (essentially, the personification of one's conscience). Gavaevodata is the Primordial Bull (also known as the Uniquely Created Bull, Primordial Bovine, Primordial Ox) who was among the earliest creations of Ahura Mazda. Eranvej the Pahlavi name for Airyaneum Vaejah, the center of the world. Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University. Jinn were supernatural entities who, like the Peri, were neither immortal nor human souls. Arash the archer, great hero who fired his arrow to mark the boundary between Iran and Turan. Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter! We care about our planet! World History Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. World History Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. He is associated with Simurgh, the dog-bird, whose feathers could be used to invoke her in times of need. The later sect of Zorvanism made Angra Mainyu the twin brother of Ahura Mazda, but this dualism was (and is) rejected by traditional Zoroastrians. The Huma bird, similar to Simurgh in many respects, conferred kingship and held all the wisdom of the ages while the giant bird of prey known as the Roc (or Rukh) dispensed justice upon those who thought they could escape it. She spends a night with Rustum who gives her an armband to give their child. 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. 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. The conflict between good and evil is prevalent in Persian myths as well as Zoroastrianism. Ahura Mazd, (Avestan: "Wise Lord") also spelled Ormizd or Ormazd, supreme god in ancient Iranian religion, especially Zoroastrianism, the religious system of the Iranian prophet Zarathustra (c. 6th century bce; Greek name Zoroaster). He is the father of Apam-Natat, the god who provides these waters to humanity. Umm-Naush nocturnal demonic predators who threatened human lives and cosmic order. Ariana possibly a mother goddess, personification of the ancient land of Iran, though poorly attested. Haurvatat goddess of wholeness, completeness, perfection and so associated with prosperity, wealth, and health. At this point, Ahura Mazda's supernatural enemy enters the narrative Angra Mainyu (also known as Ahriman) who embodies chaos, darkness, and evil. License. Mark, published on 09 December 2019. The manticore could kill anything except for elephants and especially enjoyed human beings, devouring them whole and leaving no trace except, sometimes, stray spatters of blood. Izha goddess of sacrifice. Shahriyar allows her to live so he can hear the ending. The Supreme Deity first created sky an orb and then filled it with water and separated the water with earth, which was planted with various types of vegetation, and then made the Primordial Bull, which was brilliant white and glowed like the moon. 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. Guardian of the winter solstice. Now a days the nuber of known followers range from 150- 200,000. It was considered invincible since its hide was so thick that no weapon could penetrate it and it moved faster than any other living thing on earth. These stories concern the origin and nature of the world, the lives and activities of deities, heroes, and mythological creatures, and the origins and significance of the ancient Persians' own cult and ritual practices. was Ahura Mazda Alternately, entities like Suroosh and Daena or creatures like Simurgh gave people confidence that they were cared for, that there was someone looking out for them and protecting their interests. Submitted by Joshua J. Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! The world, seen and unseen, was created by Ahura Mazda, the source of all good and all life. Chinvat Bridge the span between the world of the living and the land of the dead. Nasu (Naush) demon who contaminates corpses of the newly deceased in the form of a fly. Like the Peri, they were neutral in the struggle between good and evil and seem to have based their actions on the circumstance of the moment. The Shahnameh is an enormous epic spanning generations but, roughly speaking, tells the story of the forces of good, symbolized by the kingdom of Iran, battling those of chaos and evil personified by the kingdom of Turan. The World History Encyclopedia logo is a registered trademark. The World History Encyclopedia logo is a registered trademark. Norse* mythology says that the first man and woman . Jamshid ([dmid]) (Persian: , Jamshd; Middle-and New Persian: , Jam) also known as Yima (Avestan: Yima; Pashto/Dari: Yama) is the fourth Shah of the mythological Pishdadian dynasty of Iran according to Shahnameh.. 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). When a person died, their soul hovered around the corpse for three days while the gods tallied up their spiritual credits and debits in life. It originated in Persia but most followers today live in India and some still live in Iran. Ahurani wife or daughter of Ahura Mazda, goddess of waters, health, healing energies, wealth, and personal growth/development. Please note that some of these recommendations are listed under our old name, Ancient History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 09 Dec 2019. Source for information on Persian mythology, ancient: World . Thought to be the inspiration for the Judeo-Christian demon Asmodaeus featured in the biblical Book of Tobit. 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. 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. 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. Her name means beneficent devotion, and she is also associated with the earth and the newly dead as one was expected to show devotion to one's home and to those who had passed from it. She is sometimes referenced as the daughter of Ahura Mazda and Armaiti, combining wisdom and devotion, and so symbolizes the heart of religious belief. The world, seen and unseen, was created by Ahura Mazda, the source of all good and all life. 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. In some passages, he is the twin brother of Angra Mainyu. 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. 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. It held on to many of the earlier beliefs but added new themes, gods, and myths. Outside of mythology, referenced as Ariana/Iran, land of the Aryans. 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. 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. We contribute a share of our revenue to remove carbon from the atmosphere and we offset our team's carbon footprint. Duzhyairya demon of want, who causes bad harvests; archenemy of Tishtrya, god of rain. Ask students to focus on the differences and similarities. Shabrang Behzad the mighty black horse of the hero Siyavash. World History Encyclopedia. One of the seven Amesha Spentas. Shahriyar adopts a policy of marrying a virgin, spending a night with her, and executing her the next morning. The god Vouru-Kasa watches over, and embodies, the sea and his son, Apam-Natat, is responsible for dispersing the waters around the world. Gaokerena the healing and life-giving haoma plant which grew nearby the Tree of All Seeds in the center of the Vourukasha Sea. Robert Alter in the Art of Biblical Narrative, recognizes that the Persian creation story of Genesis is utterly dualist. The sun purifies Gayomartan's seed in the ground, and 40 years later, a rhubarb plant comes from it and grows into the first mortal couple Mashya and Mashyanag into whom Ahura Mazda breathes the spirit of life which becomes their souls. Airyaneum Vaejah also known as Eranvej, the center of the world; the ancient Iranian homeland first ruled by the just king Yima who was favored by the gods before he fell from grace. 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. 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. [note 3] It roughly corresponds to the Iranian plateau and its bordering plains. Hadhayans - the celestial bull. 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. Drug (Druj) an evil demon who is the personification of the lie. This story was a Roman adaptation of a widespread ancient Mediterranean folktale told of many national leaders, such as the Akkadian king Sargon (c. 2300 bc), the biblical Moses, the Persian king Cyrus the Great, the Theban king Oedipus, and the twins Neleus and Pelias of Greek mythology. Khrafstra evil demons who manifest themselves physically in the form of frogs, lizards, wasps, annoying insects such as stinging ants, and beasts of prey. 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. Hvar Ksata (Hvare Khshaeta) god of the full sun, the many-horsed god who drives his chariot across the sky throughout the day. Last modified December 10, 2019. 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. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2023) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. Sohrab is born while Rustum is away at war and, when he is grown and has become a great warrior, goes to find him. After a person died, the soul lingered by the corpse for three days while the gods considered their ultimate fate and tallied up their good and bad deeds. The Al is a nocturnal predator who preys on newborns and was among the most feared of all the evil spirits. This world, and the next, was thought to be inhabited by invisible spirits who, just like humans, were engaged in the cosmic struggle between good and evil. 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. Thanks to the efforts of our very creative Grade 8 students who are behind this incredible wor. 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. There are, of course, many other famous stories from Persian mythology the Rustum tales alone are epic, and the Shahnameh weaves these with others in 50,000 rhymed couplets, making it longer and more thematically complex than other famous works like The Epic of Gilgamesh or Homer's Iliad which explore and expand upon the theme of good vs. evil and order triumphing over chaos. Karmak the giant bird of evil so large that its wings blot out the sky and prevent rain from falling, thereby bringing drought to the land. African mythology commonly depicts the cosmos anthropomorphically. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. It was considered invincible and was only finally defeated by the great Persian hero Thraetaona who captured and imprisoned him, keeping him in chains until the end of the world at which time he will be killed by the resurrected Karsasp, slayer of Kamak. The other major sources for Persian mythology are the Shahnameh (The Book of Kings) written by the Persian poet Abolqasem Ferdowsi (l. 940-1020 CE) drawing on the much earlier oral tradition, and the popular One Thousand Tales (better known as The Arabian Nights), written during the Sassanian Period (224-651 CE) and also based on oral tradition. Ahuras divine spirits of light, emanations of Ahura Mazda, protectors and defenders of humanity; also known as ahuranis. Asto Vidatu the demon of death who, not content with killing a person, then tries to snatch their souls into hell as they cross the Chinvat Bridge after their passing. Ancient Persian Mythology is the term now referencing ancient Iranian religion prior to the rise of Zoroastrianism between c. 1500-1000 BCE. (2019, December 09). 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. They are Armaiti (Devotion), Asha Vahishta (Truth/Righteousness), Haurvatat (Wholeness), Khshathra Vairya (Desirable Dominion), Vohu Manah (Good Purpose), Spenta Mainyu (Holy Spirit), Ameretat (Immortality). (2019, December 10). He was associated with Anahita, the goddess of water and of fertility. 2) Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed world-religions. One of the most potent invisible spirits was the Jinn (also known as Djinn and best known as Genies) who, unlike any other entity, were collectively neutral in the war between good and evil. She was the agent through whom Angra Mainyu killed the Primordial Bull Gavaevodata and is among Ahura Mazda's greatest enemies. She was among the most popular deities of the pantheon and was retained as a divine emanation in Zoroastrianism. Suroosh would guard the soul against demonic attack as it crossed the bridge to meet the angel Rashnu, judge of the dead, who would decide whether the soul went to the paradise of the House of Song or the hell of the House of Lies. Our publication has been reviewed for educational use by Common Sense Education, Internet Scout (University of Wisconsin), Merlot (California State University), OER Commons and the School Library Journal. 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.
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persian creation myth