persian creation myth

The mythology of any civilization reflects its core values, greatest fears, and highest hopes and so it is with the mythology of ancient Persia. getty. 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. They were invisible unless they wanted to be seen. 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. This faith developed from an earlier polytheistic system featuring a pantheon of gods, led by their king Ahura Mazda, who stood against the forces of the evil spirit Angra Mainyu. In some myths, he is the first king, in others Yima (Yama) is the first king and, in still others, Gaya Maretan and Haoshyangha follows after. She spends a night with Rustum who gives her an armband to give their child. It was usually depicted as an old woman with sharp teeth, long, stringy hair, and talons which could also harm or kill pregnant women and would strike when mother and child were sleeping. She was a companion of Mithra. Followers who now live in India are called Parsis, or Parsees. A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. Simurgh gave Zal three of her feathers to call upon her if he should ever need help. Since ancient Iran/Persia maintained an oral tradition until the Sassanian Period (224-651 CE), there is no ancient text along the lines of Hesiod's Theogony or Homer's Iliad and Odyssey (both c. 8th century BCE) describing and defining the old gods at the time they were being worshipped. 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. The central vision of ancient Persian religion was of a universal struggle between the forces of good & evil, order & chaos. 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. 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. Rustum is the greatest and best-known Persian champion, invincible in battle, who fights to maintain order and justice against the Kingdom of Turan. Shabrang Behzad the mighty black horse of the hero Siyavash. Garshasp another name for the monster-slaying hero Karsasp/Keresaspa. 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. World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. Outside of mythology, referenced as Ariana/Iran, land of the Aryans. 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. The Huma was considered the most sacred bird and injuring or even attempting to injure it brought great misfortune. Haoshyangha (Hushang) the grandson of the first mortal king, Gaya Maretan, and known as the great lawgiver who established civilization including agriculture. Zahak (Zohak) the embodiment of the evil Azhi Dahaka. Simurgh known as the dog-bird was an enormous winged creature with the head of a dog, body of a peacock, and claws of a lion, sometimes also imagined with a human face. Thraetaona then installed Iraj's grandson Manuchehr in the throne of Iran. If their purpose was atonement, they seem to have been collectively bad at their jobs since tales concerning them show them causing trouble as often as resolving it. Mark, Joshua J.. "Ancient Persian Mythology." [4][5] The Encyclopdia Iranica uses the term Iranian Cultural Continent for this region.[6][7]. 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. Hvar Ksata (Hvare Khshaeta) god of the full sun, the many-horsed god who drives his chariot across the sky throughout the day. After Zoroastrianism's development, he became the only god of the new faith; later known as Ormuzd and Hormuzd. Iran's army said two Iranian crew members were missing and several others injured after a collision Thursday in the Gulf involving an oil tanker which was later seized by its forces. Duzhyairya demon of want, who causes bad harvests; archenemy of Tishtrya, god of rain. Their enemies are the daevas, evil spirits of darkness. The most feared among them were the Al (Hal) who preyed on newborns and their mothers. Roc the giant bird of prey best known from the stories concerning Sinbad the Sailor from One Thousand Nights and a Night. They are thought to be spirits imprisoned to atone for past sins but are neither immortal nor human souls. Simurgh was thought to possess great wisdom and features prominently in the story of the hero Zal whom she raised and the birth of his son Rustum (also given as Rostom and Rustam), the greatest Persian hero. 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. 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 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. These systems only became designated as mythological after they had been replaced by others which, even so, continued to express the same values emphasizing the forces of good and order over those of evil and chaos. 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. Main Carving, Rock-Cut Tombs of QizqapanOsama Shukir Muhammed Amin (Copyright). Chamrosh is also a protective entity who defends Persians against outside invaders, especially raiders, swooping down upon them and carrying them off. She taught Zal how to deliver a difficult birth through the Caesarian section and also instructed him in medicinal herbs for healing. 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. Sraosa (Sorush, Suroosh) angel of the Chinvat Bridge who guides and protects souls of the newly deceased as they cross toward final judgment by Rashnu. One refers to these and similar stories from any culture as mythology in the present day only because the theological paradigm has changed and a universe of many gods, spirits, angels, and demons has been replaced either by the monotheistic or atheistic model. Aesma was thought to be responsible for attacks on livestock, especially cows. Bibliography Mark, Joshua J.. "Twelve Ancient Persian Mythological Creatures." Srisok - the celestial bull known earlier as Hadhayans who brought the three sacred ritual Great Fires, kindled by Ahura Mazda, to earth. 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. It originated in Persia but most followers today live in India and some still live in Iran. When the dog enters the room without hesitation and does not balk at approaching the corpse, Nasu is thought to have been driven away and mortuary rites may proceed. Dogs warded off evil spirits, comforted and guided, and watched over one's most valuable possessions. A minor god originally, who later became the Supreme Deity as Lord of the universe embodying Time. 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. Other information on pre-Zoroastrian religion comes from later works known as the Bundahisn and the Denkard and, to a lesser extent, the Vendidad. We care about our planet! 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. Persian Hero RustumMaksim (Public Domain). Spenta Mainyu Holy Spirit, one of the seven Amesha Spentas, the embodiment of the light and goodness of Ahura Mazda. We contribute a share of our revenue to remove carbon from the atmosphere and we offset our team's carbon footprint. Some Jinn were malevolent and some benign but, overall, they seem to react to circumstances and individual prompts. 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. Nairyosangha an angel associated with fire and, therefore, purity; Ahura Mazda's messenger who also carries the prayers of people from earth to heaven. They are best known from the Persian work One Thousand Nights and a Night (also known as The Arabian Nights) where Jinn play a pivotal role. She is scared off by a dog, especially the four-eyed dog (one with a spot above each eye), who is led into the room between three and nine times for this purpose. Tistar came to earth three times bringing rain in such quantity it flooded the earth. Mark has lived in Greece and Germany and traveled through Egypt. 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. Zahak was a prince who was corrupted by the lies of Angra Mainyu, killed his father, and took the throne. 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. When a human encountered a jinn, the entity might grant the person's wishes or trick them at the last moment. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. 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. Thank you! Daena the Holy Maiden who appears to the newly deceased on the Chinvat Bridge and comforts them as they cross. They were allegedly imprisoned in their fairy-form until they had atoned for a past sin but were neither human souls nor immortal entities. They were thought to be spirits imprisoned in the fairy-form to atone for a past sin or sins but were not considered immortal and were certainly not human souls. World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. 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. Sohrab the tragic hero and son of Rustum and the princess Tahmineh in the Shahmaneh. 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. His name means smiting of resistance, and he epitomizes the concept of victory. Chamrosh and Kamak are also giant birds; Chamrosh a force for good and Kamak for evil. World History Encyclopedia. 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 . Ahriman Statue Front ViewTouraj Daryaee (CC BY-NC-SA). He is one of the Amesha Spentas and a powerful opponent against the forces of evil. Souls were protected from demonic attack by the angel Suroosh and were threatened by the demons Asto Vidatu and Aesma Daeva. Archenemy of the Amesha Spenta Haurvatat, goddess of wholeness. Sagdid glance of the dog, the ritual in which a dog is led into the presence of the corpse of the newly deceased to drive away evil spirits, especially Nasu (Naush) who will corrupt the dead body and make it unclean. Armaiti (Spenta Armaiti) goddess of devotion, daughter of Ahura Mazda, one of the seven Amesha Spentas. 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. 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). These include a creation myth and a vision of afterlife, which Islam shares with the other Abrahamic . Rustum (Rostom, Rustam) the great hero of the Shahnameh, grandson of King Sam, son of the hero Zal and the Princess Rudaabeh. 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 . Karmak continuously fed on human beings and livestock until killed by the hero Karsasp who showered it with arrows. They are Armaiti (Devotion), Asha Vahishta (Truth/Righteousness), Haurvatat (Wholeness), Khshathra Vairya (Desirable Dominion), Vohu Manah (Good Purpose), Spenta Mainyu (Holy Spirit), Ameretat (Immortality). When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. The early Iranian deities were almost completely reimagined by Zoroaster but many retained their original function to greater or lesser degrees. Web. These stories concern the origin and nature of the world, the lives and activities of deities, heroes, and mythological creatures . Hushedar-mar would continue the work begun by Hushedar, but this would be interrupted by the demonic dragon Azhi Daraka who would break his chains and wreak havoc on the world before his defeat and death, which would signal the coming of the last messiah, the Saoshyant. The Avesta (Zoroastrian scriptures) is the primary source in the section known as the Yasht which deals with pre-Zoroastrian deities, spirits, and other entities. World History Publishing is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. 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. Sraosa works with the Holy Maiden Daena and, like her, reflects the conscience of the soul after death. The dog was considered the best protection against these spirits as well as their physical manifestations. 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. Indar the early god of courage, bravery, heroism, and warfare. Ancient Persian Mythology is the term now referencing ancient Iranian religion prior to the rise of Zoroastrianism between c. 1500-1000 BCE. 1) The Bundahishn, which means 'the Creation', is one of the great Pahlavi texts, Zoroastrian sacred literature written in the middle-Persian language. 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. Most famous of these is the Simurgh, a large, beautiful, and powerful bird; and the Huma bird, a royal bird of victory whose plume adorned Persian crowns. Help us and translate this article into another language! We care about our planet! https://www.worldhistory.org/Ancient_Persian_Mythology/. Her name means evil eye. At death, after three days, the urvan is reunited with the fravashi who assists it in crossing the Chinvat Bridge. 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. 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. Srosh an angel, possibly the same as Sraosa/Suroosh, who announces the time of death of the king. Founded by Zoroaster, an Iranian prophet, In 6th Century BC. Many creation myths draw on trees as symbols of life. 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. 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. These include the Zoroastrianism creation myth and the tale of King Yama and the salvation of the earth. 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 oldest Persian deity was Mithra, who was identified with the sun. Zal Taken by the Simurgh (Public Domain). The world, seen and unseen, was created by Ahura Mazda, the source of all good and all life. Even so, the oral tradition of the Persians is thought to have influenced the religious systems of other cultures many centuries earlier. Please support World History Encyclopedia. The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology: An A-Z Guide to the Myths and Twelve Ancient Persian Mythological Creatures, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. World History Publishing is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. World History Encyclopedia. She was among the most popular deities of the pantheon and was retained as a divine emanation in Zoroastrianism. Suroosh symbolized protection and Daena one's own conscience. World History Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. Gavaevodta's corpse is taken to the moon and purified, and from the bull's purified seed, all animals come into being. 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). Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University. 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. Cite This Work 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. was Ahura Mazda 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. Also known as Sepandarmaz who inspires the day of devotion to women celebrated annually in Iran as Sepandarmazgan (also given as espandegan). His white hair was taken as an ill omen, and he was left abandoned on the slopes of the Alburz Mountain. It was probably compiled in the eighth and ninth centuries, though it reflects ancient Zorastrian (and pre-Zorastrian) teachings. When Hushedar appeared, people would stop eating meat and the sun would stand still for ten days. Then Ahura Mazd created Gaymart . She was closely associated with the god Mithra and her sacred animals were the dove and peacock. It is considered the first mountain from which all others came and the source of water and light. They were a specific type of a larger group of nocturnal predator demons known as Umm Naush. We want people all over the world to learn about history. The following are all drawn from the sources listed below in the bibliography. Saena (Senmurv) the great falcon who sits in the top branches of the Tree of All Seeds. It restored health when eaten and its juice granted vision and immortality to the resurrected dead. Anahita (Ardvi Sura Anahita) goddess of health, healing, water, and wisdom. 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. 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. Geus-Tasan god of cattle and their creator. 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. English/Language Arts: The study of creation myths from around the world can be an incredibly engaging and meaningful activity. World History Encyclopedia, 10 Dec 2019. Web. 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. 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. 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. Norse* mythology says that the first man and woman . 2) Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed world-religions. He may have been later replaced by Mithra or, more likely, worked with Mithra in dispensing justice after death. 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. Sohrab is born while Rustum is away at war and, when he is grown and has become a great warrior, goes to find him. The list attempts to be complete but will omit some minor deities and even some heroes whose qualities are represented by others more famous. Khrafstra evil demons who manifest themselves physically in the form of frogs, lizards, wasps, annoying insects such as stinging ants, and beasts of prey. The Kara fish swim constantly around these in order to drive away evil spirits who try to destroy them. It struck without warning but, sometimes, would announce itself with a growl like a trumpet. Gaokerena the healing and life-giving haoma plant which grew nearby the Tree of All Seeds in the center of the Vourukasha Sea. 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. 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. 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. They can also appear as rats, shooting stars, or in other forms. Following his father's footsteps, Zoroaster entered the priesthood from a young age and seems to have been born into a relatively wealthy family. Royal Stars the four major stars which influenced or, at times, governed human events. Their name means immortal spirits. Known as the Watcher of the South. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Sohrab grows up to become a great warrior and is given the armband so he can prove to Rustum he is his son when they meet but, when this happens, they are fighting on opposite sides and Rustum kills Sohrab before the armband is shown. He was later recognized in the post-Zoroastrian movement of Zorvanism as god of limited space and time. Ahura Mazda thereby sets the paradigm, repeated in many other instances, of turning Angra Mainyu's efforts at destruction to positive ends. It flew over the earth constantly, never landing, and it was thought that if its shadow passed over a person it would bring good fortune (in some versions, the shadow would predict future kingship). The Al was part of a larger group of evil demons known as the Umm Naush nocturnal predators who were themselves a subgroup of the larger assortment of demons known as khrafstra harmful spirits or demons who disrupted and destroyed lives. Her archenemy is the demon of hunger, need, and want, Tawrich. A creation myth (or creation story) is a cultural, religious or traditional myth which describes the earliest beginnings of the present world. The Vendidad text provides insight on how one should practice Zoroastrianism and mentions various entities and rituals which predate the founding of the religion. If someone saw or even thought they saw the bird flying overhead, however, it was a great blessing. Thraetaona also known as Fereydun, the great hero-king of the Shahnameh who defeats the dragon Azhi Dahaka. 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. Dogs dogs feature prominently in Persian mythology as forces for good. His name means Lord of Wisdom. 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. Atar the god of fire who is also the personification of fire and physically present when fires are lighted. Zal Taken by the Simurgh (Public Domain). He is also known as Ahriman, especially in later texts on Zorvanism, where he is referenced as Ahura Mazda's twin brother. Tistar god of rain, possibly another form of Tishtyra but most likely a separate deity. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. 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. Shahriyar allows her to live so he can hear the ending. In their time, however, they would have served the same basic purpose as the scripture of any religion does in modern times: to teach important spiritual and cultural values and assure people of order and meaning in the face of an often chaotic and frightening world. Books 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. [note 3] It roughly corresponds to the Iranian plateau and its bordering plains. Ahura Mazda was uncreated and eternal and, by his goodness, made all that was known in seven steps: Sky was an orb suspended in the midst of nothingness and, within it, Ahura Mazda released waters and then separated the waters from each other by earth. Mao god of the moon in some works although it is more common to find Mah referenced as female deity of the moon. The sky element rose high above the earth and passed beneath it. 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. 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. He has a magic cup used in divination which was thought to contain the elixir of immortality.

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