Gaokerena the healing and life-giving haoma plant which grew nearby the Tree of All Seeds in the center of the Vourukasha Sea. The dog was considered the best protection against these spirits as well as their physical manifestations. We contribute a share of our revenue to remove carbon from the atmosphere and we offset our team's carbon footprint. [4][5] The Encyclopdia Iranica uses the term Iranian Cultural Continent for this region.[6][7]. New Year's Image, PersepolisGinolerhino (CC BY). 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. She was closely associated with the god Mithra and her sacred animals were the dove and peacock. Interpreting this as an evil omen, Sam abandons the newborn in the Alburz Mountains and leaves him to die. 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. https://www.worldhistory.org/Ancient_Persian_Mythology/. He may have been later replaced by Mithra or, more likely, worked with Mithra in dispensing justice after death. According to some interpretations, she is the later version of Saena; according to others, a distinct entity. Mark, published on 09 December 2019. 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. The archenemy of Spenta Armaiti, goddess of devotion, who encourages gratitude and thankfulness. Chamrosh and Kamak are also giant birds; Chamrosh a force for good and Kamak for evil. Other information on pre-Zoroastrian religion comes from later works known as the Bundahisn and the Denkard and, to a lesser extent, the Vendidad. Main Carving, Rock-Cut Tombs of QizqapanOsama Shukir Muhammed Amin (Copyright). Please note that some of these recommendations are listed under our old name, Ancient History Encyclopedia. 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). 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 was a god of courage and enlightenment, and led the chariot of the sun across the sky on its daily journey. Thank you! We contribute a share of our revenue to remove carbon from the atmosphere and we offset our team's carbon footprint. It was the first of the seven regions created by Ahura Mazda. Even so, the oral tradition of the Persians is thought to have influenced the religious systems of other cultures many centuries earlier. Its horn was thought to be a powerful antidote to poison and seeing one was thought to bring good luck. 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. The soul would then cross the bridge which became broad and easy for the justified but narrow and difficult for the condemned soul. 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. World History Encyclopedia. The Persians were initially part of a migratory people who referred to themselves as Aryan, meaning noble or free and having nothing to do with race. Pairaka (Pairi) shapeshifting female demons (daeva) who appear as beautiful women to seduce and corrupt men in the night. Please donate to our server cost fundraiser 2023, so that we can produce more history articles, videos and translations. 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 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. Shahrazad preserves her life by telling the king a story their first night together but not finishing it. English/Language Arts: The study of creation myths from around the world can be an incredibly engaging and meaningful activity. These stories concern the origin and nature of the world, the lives and activities of deities, heroes, and mythological creatures . If someone saw or even thought they saw the bird flying overhead, however, it was a great blessing. The list will also include religious concepts and places considered important in ancient Persian religion, such as the Chinvat Bridge which souls crossed from life to death or the House of Song, the Persian vision of paradise. Mark, Joshua J.. "Ancient Persian Gods, Heroes, and Creatures - The Complete List." Originally confined to ideas of social and . Submitted by Joshua J. This exact theme is the foundation of virtually every ancient world religion to one degree or another, but for the Persians, it amounted to the meaning of existence. 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. Winged Figure, Rock-Cut Tombs of Qizqapan. The soul was then called to cross a dark river to the land of the dead during which good souls were separated from bad ones (a process known as the Crossing of the Separator). Rustum is the greatest and best-known Persian champion, invincible in battle, who fights to maintain order and justice against the Kingdom of Turan. Afterwards, he voluntarily exiled himself to the land of Turan where he was killed by the king Afragiab. Their name means immortal spirits. When someone in the community went missing, and there was no clue as to what happened to them, it was judged to be the work of a manticore. Followers who now live in India are called Parsis, or Parsees. The world, seen and unseen, was created by Ahura Mazda, the source of all good and all life. There are two main parts to the Persian creation story this second part of the story is what we shall be focusing on for today's lesson in Persian mythology, the spirit of good, one of the original beings in the universe, was the creator of the world his name. 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. 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. Karmak continuously fed on human beings and livestock until killed by the hero Karsasp who showered it with arrows. Thus, in the first three centuries, a number of ideas from the ancient Middle East, from Hellenistic and especially from Jewish and Christian traditions . The Vendidad text provides insight on how one should practice Zoroastrianism and mentions various entities and rituals which predate the founding of the religion. 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. It is described as having a thousand senses and so is aware of any possible threat and can defend against it while, at the same time, knowing where its prey is at any time. Zal Taken by the Simurgh (Public Domain). He is associated with Simurgh, the dog-bird, whose feathers could be used to invoke her in times of need. 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. Oral tradition was especially important and storytelling a central value in ancient Persian culture, and so the stories of the old continued to be told, and many of the deities, now reimagined, appear in the works of the oldest monotheistic religion, Zoroastrianism, which developed between c. 1500-1000 BCE. 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. Azhi Dahaka. 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. 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. For every good that Ahura Mazda brings into the world, Angra Mainyu finds some way to corrupt or destroy it, and yet Ahura Mazda turns his efforts to positive ends, constantly thwarting his attempts to subvert order and establish chaos. Afterwards, his successors must struggle to maintain just rule since deception and trickery will now regularly play a part in politics. Humans were granted the gift of free will by Ahura Mazda, which is how they were able to choose to believe Angra Mainyu's lies over their creator's truth, and so the meaning of human existence comes down to the exercise of that free will in choosing good over evil, Ahura Mazda over Angra Mainyu. 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. C ., Indo-European peoples migrated south from the steppes into the regions now known as Turkey, Iran, and northern India. The creatures which appear in Persian mythology almost all fall into one of these two camps except for the Jinn (also given as Djinn and better known as Genies) and the Peri (faeries) who defy easy definition as their roles seem more neutral and their actions dependent on circumstance rather than loyalty to a given cause. 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. We care about our planet! . 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 term 'mythology' comes from the Greek mythos (story-of-the-people) and logos (word or speech), meaning the spoken story of a people. The Oxford Companion to World Mythology identifies a number of traditional narratives as "Islamic myths". We care about our planet! Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. Tascheter one of the Four Royal Stars (modern designation Aldebaran) who worked for the good forces of Ahura Mazda. 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. The World History Encyclopedia logo is a registered trademark. Verethragna warrior god whose sole responsibility is to fight against evil. License. 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 19th century CE German Orientalist Martin Haug (l. 1827-1876 CE) sought to resolve this problem of the origin of evil in a world created by an all-powerful and benevolent Ahura Mazda by claiming Angra Mainyu did not actually exist as a deity but was rather the destructive/negative energy-discharge of the creative act of the god. His name means evil spirit, and he is the archenemy of Ahura Mazda and the forces of light. 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. He was considered the greatest protection against evil. He also oversaw the orderly change of the seasons, maintained cosmic order, and was responsible for bestowing divine grace on kings, legitimizing their rule and, as a protector of the faithful, was also invoked by warriors before battle and so became known as a . We contribute a share of our revenue to remove carbon from the atmosphere and we offset our team's carbon footprint. Srisok - the celestial bull known earlier as Hadhayans who brought the three sacred ritual Great Fires, kindled by Ahura Mazda, to earth. 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. 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. Ahuras divine spirits of light, emanations of Ahura Mazda, protectors and defenders of humanity; also known as ahuranis. Even if one never actually saw a Koresk, one could still have hope one would someday and all one's problems would be solved in a sudden streak of supernatural good fortune. The god Mithra might still be invoked and his battle with the dragon Azhi Dahaka still be told, but it was understood that Mithra was now simply Ahura Mazda fighting the forces of evil. She was the agent through whom Angra Mainyu killed the Primordial Bull Gavaevodata and is among Ahura Mazda's greatest enemies. The Arabian NightsK.C. 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. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1484/twelve-ancient-persian-mythological-creatures/. His grandson, Haoshyangha (Hushang), would later rework Gaya Maretan's early efforts and be known as the lawgiver. Tishtrya god of rain and the harvest, sometimes given a twin, Tiri (god of agriculture). Faravahar at PersepolisNapishtim (CC BY-SA). Mithra is the Persian god of the rising sun, contracts, covenants, and friendship. It was thought to live in lonely places outside of communities, could kill anything except elephants, and was invincible because its hide was so thick. Last modified December 10, 2019. These include a creation myth and a vision of afterlife, which Islam shares with the other Abrahamic . The early Iranian deities were almost completely reimagined by Zoroaster but many retained their original function to greater or lesser degrees. The Persians: Ancient, Mediaeval and Modern Iran, Ancient Persian Gods, Heroes, and Creatures - The Complete List, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Simurgh the dog bird who cares for the hero Zal after he is abandoned by his father Sam in the Shahnameh. 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. He is, like Tishtrya, depicted as a white horse battling the demon Apaosha (shown as a black horse). One of the most feared supernatural entities was the Al (also known as the Hal and Umm Naush), a nocturnal demon who fed on the life-force of newborns. Associated with the great dog-bird Simurgh, although some scholars claim they are two distinct entities. Shahrazad (Scheherazade) heroine of the One Thousand Nights and a Night who is married to the king Shahriyar. Their enemies are the daevas, evil spirits of darkness. In the Zoroastrian text Vendidad, it is the mountain in the afterlife on the other side of the Chinvat Bridge, the span between the world of the living and the dead. 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. Persian MythologyPersian Mythology in ContextPersian mythology developed in what is now Iran around 1500 bce. 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. 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. If one chose to follow Ahura Mazda, one would live a good and productive life in harmony with others and one's environment; if one chose Angra Mainyu, one lived in opposition to the truth and became a source of confusion and strife. It is associated with the great bird Simurgh, although they may not be the same, and is most likely the bird depicted in sculpture at Persepolis. House of Lies the dark abode of the dead, a hell in which the condemned soul was tormented while simultaneously feeling completely alone. 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. The conflict between good and evil is prevalent in Persian myths as well as Zoroastrianism. 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. Similar to the Jinn were the Peri (fairies) who could be mischievous or helpful. 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) . Twelve Ancient Persian Mythological Creatures. 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. 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. The Amesha Spentas are yazatas, as are angels and a number of other deities. President Joe Biden spoke about the creation of new manufacturing jobs Tuesday at the . Web. Last modified December 09, 2019. 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. Associated with, but not the same as, the Huma Bird. The deified understanding of the earth. Dog imagery also appears in depictions of the great birds Simurgh (known as the dog-bird) and Chamrosh. Tushnamatay goddess of thought and meditation. They are thought to be spirits imprisoned to atone for past sins but are neither immortal nor human souls. Simurgh gave Zal three of her feathers to call upon her if he should ever need help. Chamrosh a giant bird with a dog's body and the head and wings of an eagle. Yima (Yama) the first mortal king to have ruled. 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. Sohrab the tragic hero and son of Rustum and the princess Tahmineh in the Shahmaneh. She spends a night with Rustum who gives her an armband to give their child. Ahura Mazd was worshipped by the Persian king Darius I (reigned 522-486 bce) and his successors as the greatest of all gods and protector of the just king. Thraetaona then installed Iraj's grandson Manuchehr in the throne of Iran. Chamrosh has a dog's body with the head and wings of an eagle. 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. The stories which form the basis of Persian mythology come from early Persian religious belief. Cite This Work Overall, they were regarded with suspicion, and amulets were carried for protection from their influence. Please support World History Encyclopedia. He fell from divine grace when he began to think more highly of himself than he should have. Royal Stars the four major stars which influenced or, at times, governed human events. 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. World History Encyclopedia. Arash the archer, great hero who fired his arrow to mark the boundary between Iran and Turan. She taught Zal how to deliver a difficult birth through the Caesarian section and also instructed him in medicinal herbs for healing. Archenemy of the Amesha Spenta Haurvatat, goddess of wholeness. Robert Alter in the Art of Biblical Narrative, recognizes that the Persian creation story of Genesis is utterly dualist. (2019, December 09). Suroosh symbolized protection and Daena one's own conscience. Haoshyangha (Hushang) the grandson of the first mortal king, Gaya Maretan, and known as the great lawgiver who established civilization including agriculture. Rakhsh the great stallion of the hero Rustum, mightier and more intelligent than any other horse, and of amazing strength and speed. The World History Encyclopedia logo is a registered trademark. World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. A Peri might bring a message from the gods or, alternately, trick someone into believing some untruth or an outright lie. 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. 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. 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. Souls were protected from demonic attack by the angel Suroosh and were threatened by the demons Asto Vidatu and Aesma Daeva. The ancient Persian religious tradition was passed down orally, and the only written texts relating to it come from after the prophet Zoroaster (c. 1500-1000 BCE) initiated the reforms which would become Zoroastrianism. World History Publishing is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. Between 1500 and 1000 B . Like Simurgh and the later Phoenix, the Huma was thought to live an immensely long life, die in its own flames, and give birth to itself afterwards. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. Mark, J. J. They were a specific type of a larger group of nocturnal predator demons known as Umm Naush. He has a magic cup used in divination which was thought to contain the elixir of immortality. Guardian of the summer solstice. 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. There were two forces at work in the universe which were antithetical to each other and whichever side one aligned one's self with would define one's earthly journey and destination in the afterlife. Now a days the nuber of known followers range from 150- 200,000. 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. The central vision of ancient Persian religion was of a universal struggle between the forces of good and evil, order and chaos. Please support World History Encyclopedia. Kamak plays precisely the opposite role, feeding on Persians and their livestock and bringing destruction. Known as the Watcher of the South. Peri a small, beautiful, winged female spirit better known as a faerie. Founded by Zoroaster, an Iranian prophet, In 6th Century BC. Like the unicorn, the karkadann could be tamed by a virgin. The Al (Hal) is the most feared of these demons as it preyed upon newborns and sleeping mothers and their children. 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. 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. Jahi (Jeh) female demon of lasciviousness referenced as the Whore who defiles altars and corrupts women. 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. Tistar came to earth three times bringing rain in such quantity it flooded the earth. 30 Apr 2023. Hushedar-mar the second of three saviors to appear before the end of the world. Its horn was said to have healing powers. Ancient Persian Mythology. They were neutral in the war between the forces of Good and those of Evil and based their actions on circumstance rather than ideology. According to Herodotus, a 5th-Century Greek writer and geographer often credited with being the first historian, the Amazons maintained an idyllic all-female existence in modern-day Turkey. Last modified January 16, 2020. Khrafstra evil demons who manifest themselves physically in the form of frogs, lizards, wasps, annoying insects such as stinging ants, and beasts of prey. It restored health when eaten and its juice granted vision and immortality to the resurrected dead. Zal is raised by the dog-bird Simurgh and is later reconciled with his father. 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 . The land of Israel, and the Levant more generally, is more subject to drought than floods, so it is natural to suppose that the story originated outside this area. Dev demon of war and the terror of war, one of the most powerful daevas, completely lacking in morality or compassion. The boy is taken by Simurgh, however, who raises him as her own son, and he develops amazing strength and superhuman powers. 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. Zal becomes a great prince and marries the princess Rudabeh who has a difficult time giving birth to their son. It was probably compiled in the eighth and ninth centuries, though it reflects ancient Zorastrian (and pre-Zorastrian) teachings. Gandareva (Gandarewa) a water demon in the form of a great dragon who churned the seas, sank ships, and came ashore to devour people, cattle, and homes. 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. 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. The couple cannot conceive for 50 years after their fall and, when Mashyanag finally does give birth, she and Mashya eat the children because they have lost any sense of balance and reason. The Catholic concept of Purgatory was also earlier imagined by the Persians in their Hamistakan, a place for the souls of .

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