The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Haoshyangha (Hushang) the grandson of the first mortal king, Gaya Maretan, and known as the great lawgiver who established civilization including agriculture. World History Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. License. Agas demon of illness, especially of the eyes. Alburz (Mount Hara, Mount Harburz, Hara Berezaiti) the first mountain created in the world whose roots stretch down into the earth and whose peak touches the utmost sky. Ancient Persian Mythology is the term now referencing ancient Iranian religion prior to the rise of Zoroastrianism between c. 1500-1000 BCE. The god Vouru-Kasa watches over, and embodies, the sea and his son, Apam-Natat, is responsible for dispersing the waters around the world. The Umm-Naush were a subset of the evil spirits known as Khrafstra. 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. Cista - an early goddess of health and well-being who presided over one's path in life and also one's spiritual walk of faith. Vizaresha - demon who drags souls into hell from the Chinvat Bridge, associated with the demons Asto Vidatu and Aesma Daeva. https://www.worldhistory.org/Ancient_Persian_Mythology/. Karmak is the evil counterpart of the bird Chamrosh who spreads seeds, encourages fertility, and protects the people of the land. 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. 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. 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. She taught Zal how to deliver a difficult birth through the Caesarian section and also instructed him in medicinal herbs for healing. According to the creation myth as described in the Bundahishn, Ohrmuzd's (Ahura Mazda) sixth creation is the primeval beast Gayomart (Gayamartan), who was neither male nor female. Mark, J. J. Outside of mythology, referenced as Ariana/Iran, land of the Aryans. His second flood creates the Vourukasha Sea, source of all waters. Known as the Watcher of the South. 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. Zahhak (Avestan: Ai Dahka) was guarded by two vipers which grew out from both of his shoulders. Since both of these originated from roughly the same environment and culture, they shared a common religious belief system, which would develop in time as the Vedic lore and Hinduism of India and the Early Iranian Religion and Zoroastrianism of Persia, all of which share key concepts and types of supernatural beings. New Year's Image, PersepolisGinolerhino (CC BY). Zoroastruanism is the ancient pre-Islamic religion. Saurva demon of chaos and one of the central Daevas, archenemy of the Amesha Spenta Khshathra Vairya, protector of the desirable dominion of paradise. his approval rating hitting 89 percent at the end of the Persian Gulf War. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. Faravahar at PersepolisNapishtim (CC BY-SA). Mark, Joshua J.. "Ancient Persian Gods, Heroes, and Creatures - The Complete List." World History Encyclopedia. We contribute a share of our revenue to remove carbon from the atmosphere and we offset our team's carbon footprint. Ahura Mazda was uncreated and eternal and, by his goodness . Khrafstra evil demons who manifest themselves physically in the form of frogs, lizards, wasps, annoying insects such as stinging ants, and beasts of prey. Ahuras divine spirits of light, emanations of Ahura Mazda, protectors and defenders of humanity; also known as ahuranis. A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. Gaymart, Avestan Gay Maretan ("Mortal Life"), in later Zoroastrian creation literature, the first man, and the progenitor of mankind. She was later replaced by Daena who welcomed or rebuked souls arriving at the Chinvat Bridge. 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. Persian Hero RustumMaksim (Public Domain). Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University. Central to one's spiritual journey was how well a person treated animals, especially dogs. Among the best known are: There were a number of other entities in addition to these, among the most important being the angel Suroosh guide of the dead and Daena the Holy Maiden both of whom met the soul at the crossing to the afterlife. The list attempts to be complete but will omit some minor deities and even some heroes whose qualities are represented by others more famous. The World History Encyclopedia logo is a registered trademark. World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. Mark, Joshua J.. "Ancient Persian Mythology." 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. The khrafstra were invisible but manifested their intentions through observable nature in stinging ants, wasps, crop-destroying beetles, spiders, frogs, rodents, serpents, and beasts of prey. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1488/ancient-persian-gods-heroes-and-creatures---the-co/. Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University. It struck without warning but, sometimes, would announce itself with a growl like a trumpet. 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. Many creation myths draw on trees as symbols of life. In time, the Huma would come to symbolize the concept of elevation and enlightenment. Shahbaz a giant bird, larger than any other, who watches over and encourages humanity; thought to be the Imperial Eagle representing royalty under the reign of Cyrus the Great. tell our story about the . The mythology of any civilization reflects its core values, greatest fears, and highest hopes and so it is with the mythology of ancient Persia. After a reign of over 300 years, however, he begins to listen to the lies of Angra Mainyu and so he sins and the divine grace leaves him. 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. 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. Gandareva is said to guard the sacred haoma plant and tried to keep it and its many benefits for himself. They were the first seven emanations of Ahura Mazda in his act of creation. 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. He was favored by the gods and given supernatural powers. Defining history is hardly easier than defining myth, but a historical approach necessarily involves both establishing a chronological framework for events and comparing and contrasting rival traditions in order to produce a coherent account. Kaveh (Kawa, Kaveh the Blacksmith) the blacksmith in the Shahnameh who incites rebellion against the ruthless tyrant Zahak by lifting his blacksmith's apron on a spear. 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. With your support millions of people learn about history entirely for free, every month. We want people all over the world to learn about history. Siyavash was the son of the king Kay Kavus and his favorite concubine who falsely accused the hero of raping her when he would not submit to her attempt at seduction. Amesha Spentas also known as yazatas, the Amesha Spentas are seven immortal beings worthy of worship who personify the highest values and greatest goods. 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. Karmak continuously fed on human beings and livestock until killed by the hero Karsasp who showered it with arrows. These include a creation myth and a vision of afterlife, which Islam shares with the other Abrahamic . These stories concern the origin and nature of the world, the lives and activities of deities, heroes, and mythological creatures . 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. Zahak was a prince who was corrupted by the lies of Angra Mainyu, killed his father, and took the throne. 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. Bibliography Ameretat goddess of immortality whose name means life or living. It was the first of the seven regions created by Ahura Mazda. The roots of Persian mythology lie in the steppes of southern Russia and Central Asia. 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. 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. 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. They were thought to inhabit lonely places outside of towns such as caves or hills and had power to influence human thought and action. A Peri might bring a message from the gods or, alternately, trick someone into believing some untruth or an outright lie. World History Encyclopedia. We contribute a share of our revenue to remove carbon from the atmosphere and we offset our team's carbon footprint. However one chose would then dictate the quality of one's life and, naturally, one's afterlife. 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. Ardashir I & Ahura MazdaLutf 'Ali Khan (Copyright). He inspires the hero Fereydun to lead the revolt. In some versions of the Persian* creation story a huge tree grew from the rotting corpse of the first human. 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) . Zam-Armatay Mother Nature, the goddess of deified earth, the earth-energy which makes all things live and grow. The Chinvat Bridge is the span between the world of the living Shadows in the Desert: Ancient Persia at War. From the shadows of a global pandemic has emerged an economic hangover. Myth and history represent alternative ways of looking at the past. Zal becomes a great prince and marries the princess Rudabeh who has a difficult time giving birth to their son. Asha Vahishta god of Truth/Righteousness, one of the seven Amesha Spentas. The Huma was responsible for legitimizing kingship and its image was prominent at Persepolis, the magnificent ritual capital of the Achaemenid Persian Empire begun by Darius I (the Great, r. 522-486 BCE). 30 Apr 2023. Souls were protected from demonic attack by the angel Suroosh and were threatened by the demons Asto Vidatu and Aesma Daeva. Azhi Dahaka. Bahram god of victory in life and after death, associated with the warrior god Verethragna. Help us and translate this article into another language! She is also associated with causing women's menstrual cycle but, as this is also said to have been instituted by Ahura Mazda and a natural occurrence, it is more likely she causes painful or difficult periods. He is given power by the gods as a reward for his selfless devotion and uses it wisely: when the world becomes overpopulated, he simply enlarges it, providing more space and resources for humans, animals, and vegetation to live together peacefully. President Joe Biden spoke about the creation of new manufacturing jobs Tuesday at the . Many years after this, another set of twins is born who will become the progenitors of humanity. Chamrosh a giant bird with a dog's body and the head and wings of an eagle. Creation & the Problem of Evil. 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. Ancient Persian Mythology is the term now referencing ancient Iranian Zorvanism (also given as Zuvanism, Zurvanism) was a sect of the Shadows in the Desert: Ancient Persia at War, The Persians: Ancient, Mediaeval and Modern Iran. A Jinn might grant one wishes but could twist and betray the outcome in doing so or, conversely, could simply be helpful outright. The later sect of Zorvanism made Angra Mainyu the twin brother of Ahura Mazda, but this dualism was (and is) rejected by traditional Zoroastrians. 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. The central vision of ancient Persian religion was of a universal struggle between the forces of good and evil, order and chaos. Haurvatat goddess of wholeness, completeness, perfection and so associated with prosperity, wealth, and health. Please donate to our server cost fundraiser 2023, so that we can produce more history articles, videos and translations. 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. Cite This Work 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. 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. Mark, published on 16 January 2020. World History Publishing is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. Help us and translate this article into another language! Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University. . Thanks to the efforts of our very creative Grade 8 students who are behind this incredible wor. Atar the god of fire who is also the personification of fire and physically present when fires are lighted. Peri (Avestan Pairika), a beautiful albeit evil woman in early mythology, gradually became less evil and more beautiful. They were a specific type of a larger group of nocturnal predator demons known as Umm Naush. Her archenemy is the demon of hunger, need, and want, Tawrich. We contribute a share of our revenue to remove carbon from the atmosphere and we offset our team's carbon footprint. This renewal of interest is not easily explained. Modern scholars study the myths to shed light on the religious and political institutions of not only modern-day Iran but the Greater Iran, which includes regions of West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia and Transcaucasia where Iranian culture has had significant influence. 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. Srisok - the celestial bull known earlier as Hadhayans who brought the three sacred ritual Great Fires, kindled by Ahura Mazda, to earth. Inscriptions found in the ruins of cities like Susa or at the great temple of Chogha Zanbil (also known as Dur Untush) provide only the most basic allusions to deities predating the development of Zoroastrianism. She was prayed to for protection and survival by soldiers prior to battle and so is also considered a goddess of war. The most plausible hypothesis seems to be that Roman Mithraism was practically a new creation, wrought by a religious genius who may have lived as late as . 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). The gods, creatures, & heroes who made up the early stories are scattered amongst the various works of Zoroastrianism & later collections of myth & fable. Jinn were supernatural entities who, like the Peri, were neither immortal nor human souls. It originated in Persia but most followers today live in India and some still live in Iran. 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. 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. Royal Stars the four major stars which influenced or, at times, governed human events. The Persians: Ancient, Mediaeval and Modern Iran, Ancient Persian Gods, Heroes, and Creatures - The Complete List, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Tawrich demon of hunger, want, and need. The latter process, in particular, requires the presence of writing in order that . The prophet Zoroaster revised this earlier vision so that Ahura Mazda became the one true god while the most significant of the other deities became emanations and manifestations of his eternal goodness. 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). 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. He was considered the greatest protection against evil. Her archenemy is Zarich, the demon of ageing. Long before their conflict begins, the first great hero is King Yima (also given as Yama), who rules over the known world with justice and devotion, banishing death and disease and elevating the lives of the people throughout his realm. Please donate to our server cost fundraiser 2023, so that we can produce more history articles, videos and translations. They are Armaiti (Devotion), Asha Vahishta (Truth/Righteousness), Haurvatat (Wholeness), Khshathra Vairya (Desirable Dominion), Vohu Manah (Good Purpose), Spenta Mainyu (Holy Spirit), Ameretat (Immortality). Iraj's portion was thought the best and so his brothers killed him for it. The force equated with fortune or destiny which defined a person's role in life. 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. She is the later form of the earlier goddess Cista but with significant modifications such as her pivotal role at the Chinvat Bridge. Jinn might grant a person their greatest wishes but twist the end result tragically or, at least, negatively but could just as easily honor the individual's desires in making their dreams come true. His name means radiant sun. Barmayeh the great cow of the Alburz Mountains who nurses the hero Fereydun and cares for him. Vourukasha Sea the primordial sea from which all other waters flow on earth. When Hushedar-mar appeared, people would stop drinking milk and the sun would stand still for twenty days. This page was last edited on 25 March 2023, at 20:33. Haug's answer seems to fit with Zoroaster's original vision but whether it would apply to pre-Zoroastrian understanding is unknown. He is the son of the water god Vouru-Kasa, keeper of the waters, who gives water to humans. Suroosh symbolized protection & Daena one's own conscience. Cultural Trends. Similar to the Jinn were the Peri (fairies) who could be mischievous or helpful. 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 world, seen and unseen, was created by Ahura Mazda, the source of all good and all life. 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. Suroosh symbolized protection and Daena one's own conscience. This so-called 'mythology', in fact, would go on to inform Zoroastrianism which, in turn, would influence the development of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Please note that some of these recommendations are listed under our old name, Ancient History Encyclopedia. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 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). Saena (Senmurv) the great falcon who sits in the top branches of the Tree of All Seeds. Angra Mainyu the chief of the dark spirits of evil and chaos. Mithra is the Persian god of the rising sun, contracts, covenants, and friendship. 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. Ancient Persian Mythology. The soul would then cross the bridge which became broad and easy for the justified but narrow and difficult for the condemned soul. Dogs dogs feature prominently in Persian mythology as forces for good. Sam longed for a son and was overjoyed when Zal was born but that moment vanished quickly when he looked at the boy and saw he had bright white hair. After Zoroastrianism's development, he became the only god of the new faith; later known as Ormuzd and Hormuzd. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Ancient_Persian_Mythology/. Armaiti (Spenta Armaiti) goddess of devotion, daughter of Ahura Mazda, one of the seven Amesha Spentas. Even so, the oral tradition of the Persians is thought to have influenced the religious systems of other cultures many centuries earlier. 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. At this point, Ahura Mazda's supernatural enemy enters the narrative Angra Mainyu (also known as Ahriman) who embodies chaos, darkness, and evil. 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. 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.
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