persian creation myth persian creation myth
Mark, Joshua J.. "Twelve Ancient Persian Mythological Creatures." When she flaps her wings, the seeds are scattered and carried away by the winds, with the help of the bird Chamrosh, to land in the earth. World History Encyclopedia. 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. 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. Geus-Urvani god of cattle and their protector. The first three Fargards contained Zoroastrianism's most ancient tales, some of which date back to the 8th century BC. Iraj's portion was thought the best and so his brothers killed him for it. Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Mark has lived in Greece and Germany and traveled through Egypt. The boy is taken by Simurgh, however, who raises him as her own son, and he develops amazing strength and superhuman powers. 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). Books 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. House of Lies the dark abode of the dead, a hell in which the condemned soul was tormented while simultaneously feeling completely alone. His grandson, Haoshyangha (Hushang), would later rework Gaya Maretan's early efforts and be known as the lawgiver. The trunk separated into a man and a woman, Mashya and Mashyane, and the fruit of the tree became the various races of humankind. was Ahura Mazda Drvaspa goddess of cattle, children, and friendship, who promotes harmony. He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. With your support millions of people learn about history entirely for free, every month. Daevas the mostly male demons in the service of Angra Mainyu who spread lies and disorder in the world. The force equated with fortune or destiny which defined a person's role in life. As with other ancient religions, the cosmological dichotomy of chaos and cosmos figured in both myth and worldview. He inspires the hero Fereydun to lead the revolt. 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. 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. Although this last concept of two possible final destinations is most closely associated with Christianity and Islam in the modern day, it is actually an ancient Persian creation which, along with influences from other cultures, contributed to the visions of both faiths. Zahak was a prince who was corrupted by the lies of Angra Mainyu, killed his father, and took the throne. Buyasta demon of laziness who prevents people from doing what they should. 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. Known as the golden-heeled, he was finally defeated and killed by the hero Karsasp. His name means excellent order or outstanding truth, and he stands in opposition to the forces of darkness and lies. Mao god of the moon in some works although it is more common to find Mah referenced as female deity of the moon. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1488/ancient-persian-gods-heroes-and-creatures---the-co/. 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). 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. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2023) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. Chamrosh and Kamak are also giant birds; Chamrosh a force for good and Kamak for evil. 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. 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. Daena the Holy Maiden who appears to the newly deceased on the Chinvat Bridge and comforts them as they cross. About a thousand years later, a religion known as Zoroastrianism (pronounced zor-oh-AS-tree-uhn-iz-m) emerged in the region. There is little notice of the Persian god in the Roman world until the beginning of the 2nd century, but, from the year 136 ce onward, there are hundreds of dedicatory inscriptions to Mithra. The Persians: Ancient, Mediaeval and Modern Iran, Ancient Persian Gods, Heroes, and Creatures - The Complete List, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Chinvat Bridge the span between the world of the living and the land of the dead. 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. The Persian hero Karsasp finally kills Kamak by showering it with arrows continuously. 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 following are all drawn from the sources listed below in the bibliography. Arash the archer, great hero who fired his arrow to mark the boundary between Iran and Turan. Tawrich demon of hunger, want, and need. Tahmineh mother of the hero Sohrab in the Shahnameh. Apaosha demon of drought who rides a black horse, he is the enemy of the rain god Tishtrya who eventually defeats him. 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 soul then approached the Chinvat Bridge which was guarded by two dogs who would welcome the justified soul and rebuff those who were evil. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1484/twelve-ancient-persian-mythological-creatures/. 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 Manticore (man-eater) is a fearsome beast with the head of a man, body of a lion, and tail of a scorpion (or, alternately, a tail ending in venomous quills which it shot at prey). 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. 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.. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. Ariana possibly a mother goddess, personification of the ancient land of Iran, though poorly attested. A Jinn might grant one wishes but could twist and betray the outcome in doing so or, conversely, could simply be helpful outright. The archenemy of Spenta Armaiti, goddess of devotion, who encourages gratitude and thankfulness. Ahriman Statue Front ViewTouraj Daryaee (CC BY-NC-SA). 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. 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. Ardashir I & Ahura MazdaLutf 'Ali Khan (Copyright). World History Encyclopedia. No matter how many times they were beheaded, new heads grew on them to guard him. On the other side of the fence is Zahhak, a symbol of despotism who was, finally, defeated by Kve, who led a popular uprising against him. We want people all over the world to learn about history. Mark, Joshua J.. "Twelve Ancient Persian Mythological Creatures." Her archenemy is the demon of hunger, need, and want, Tawrich. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Siyavash hero of the Shahnameh symbolizing virtue, innocence, integrity, and courage. A Peri might bring a message from the gods or, alternately, trick someone into believing some untruth or an outright lie. 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. Jinn were thought to especially favor lonely places such as desert plains and oases so amulets were carried by merchants and travelers for protection from their influences. They were allegedly imprisoned in their fairy-form until they had atoned for a past sin but were neither human souls nor immortal entities. Islamic myth and legend. He has a thousand senses and is invincible but, embodied as the tyrant Zahak, was defeated by the hero Thraetaona (Fereydun) who keeps him in chains until the end of the world at which time he will be killed by the resurrected hero Karsasp. 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. 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. Saena Tree (Tree of All Remedies, Tree of All Seeds) the great tree and mother of all trees, mother of all plants which grows in the middle of the Vourukasha Sea and sends the seeds of all vegetation out into the world when the Saena Bird, who lives in its branches, flaps its wings. He is the father of Apam-Natat, the god who provides these waters to humanity. Injuring, or attempting to injure, the Huma Bird would bring a lifetime of bad luck. In this view, Angra Mainyu takes on sentience and power from the act of creation but is himself a created being and, ultimately, will fail against the greater power of the creator. He is eventually defeated and destroyed by Ahura Mazda at the end of the world. God splits heaven from earth, darkness and light, night and day, evening and morning, water and sky, sets of . The Vendidad text provides insight on how one should practice Zoroastrianism and mentions various entities and rituals which predate the founding of the religion. She is one of the seven Amesha Spentas and is also the patron goddess of plants and flowers. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2023) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. They were neutral in the war between the forces of Good and those of Evil and based their actions on circumstance rather than ideology. Tascheter one of the Four Royal Stars (modern designation Aldebaran) who worked for the good forces of Ahura Mazda. His name means evil spirit, and he is the archenemy of Ahura Mazda and the forces of light. Rustum and Sohrab meet in battle, neither knowing the other's identity, and Sohrab is killed. 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. 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. Their name means immortal spirits. Simurgh the dog bird who cares for the hero Zal after he is abandoned by his father Sam in the Shahnameh. 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. Eranvej the Pahlavi name for Airyaneum Vaejah, the center of the world. 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. Her name means immaculate and she is depicted as a beautiful young woman in a white gown brocaded with gold wearing a gold crown and carrying the sacred barsom twigs which represented the earth; sometimes also shown with a water pitcher. The list attempts to be complete but will omit some minor deities and even some heroes whose qualities are represented by others more famous. Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter! 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. War in Europe fuels geopolitical tensions . Her archenemy is Zarich, the demon of ageing. He was associated with Anahita, the goddess of water and of fertility. Roc the giant bird of prey best known from the stories concerning Sinbad the Sailor from One Thousand Nights and a Night. Dev demon of war and the terror of war, one of the most powerful daevas, completely lacking in morality or compassion. His mere existence immobilized Ahriman, the evil spirit who wanted to invade creation. Fourth edition, new print. The Al were invisible unless they wanted to be seen, so only their effects made people aware of their existence. We contribute a share of our revenue to remove carbon from the atmosphere and we offset our team's carbon footprint. 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). 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. 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. Shahriyar adopts a policy of marrying a virgin, spending a night with her, and executing her the next morning. 2) Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed world-religions. Tishtrya god of rain and the harvest, sometimes given a twin, Tiri (god of agriculture). 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. Cite This Work 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. Srosh an angel, possibly the same as Sraosa/Suroosh, who announces the time of death of the king. He protects paradise but also enables human souls to attain it. When he marries Shahrazad, she preserves her life by telling him a story the night of their wedding but not finishing it; to hear the conclusion, he lets her live, and so she continues telling her stories in the same way and escapes execution. 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. In Persian mythology and folklore, Jamshid is described as the fourth and greatest king of the epigraphically unattested Pishdadian . A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. Souls were protected from demonic attack by the angel Suroosh and were threatened by the demons Asto Vidatu and Aesma Daeva. African mythology commonly depicts the cosmos anthropomorphically. After Zoroastrianism's development, he became the only god of the new faith; later known as Ormuzd and Hormuzd. Jinn (Djinn) supernatural entities, neither immortal nor human spirits, who are better known as genies. Zahhak (Avestan: Ai Dahka) was guarded by two vipers which grew out from both of his shoulders. President Joe Biden spoke about the creation of new manufacturing jobs Tuesday at the . It restored health when eaten and its juice granted vision and immortality to the resurrected dead. 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. We want people all over the world to learn about history. Duzhyairya demon of want, who causes bad harvests; archenemy of Tishtrya, god of rain. He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. 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. He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. Al (Hal) nocturnal predator demons who fed on newborns and could harm or kill women in late-stage pregnancies. She was closely associated with the god Mithra and her sacred animals were the dove and peacock. World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia. Hushedar the first of three saviors to appear before the end of the world. Umm-Naush nocturnal demonic predators who threatened human lives and cosmic order. Kamak plays precisely the opposite role, feeding on Persians and their livestock and bringing destruction. 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. Venant (Vanant) one of the Four Royal Stars (modern designation Regulus) who worked for the good under Ahura Mazda. Once animals were created, Ahura Mazda then created human beings and then fire, but Gavaevodata was the first unique entity on earth and establishes the high value the Persians placed on animals. World History Encyclopedia, 10 Dec 2019. Asha Vahishta god of Truth/Righteousness, one of the seven Amesha Spentas. He also carries daggers, throwing-axes, and his famous mace which is his most powerful weapon. 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. 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. The stories which form the basis of Persian mythology come from early Persian religious belief. Zam the earth, home of the mortals, which should be cared for as one cares for one's own house. Mithra is depicted riding in a great chariot drawn by white horses, armed with a silver spear, bow, and arrows of gold. Spenta Mainyu Holy Spirit, one of the seven Amesha Spentas, the embodiment of the light and goodness of Ahura Mazda. It held on to many of the earlier beliefs but added new themes, gods, and myths. It was said to be so large it could easily stride the seven regions of the earth and people could climb on its back to travel from one place to another. Tistar came to earth three times bringing rain in such quantity it flooded the earth. Zal Taken by the Simurgh (Public Domain). 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. Dogs would welcome a justified soul and reject those who had been condemned. They were thought to inhabit lonely places outside of towns such as caves or hills and had power to influence human thought and action. 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. 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. 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. Tushnamatay goddess of thought and meditation. However one chose would then dictate the quality of one's life and, naturally, one's afterlife. The regal period, 753-509 bc Thank you! Please note that some of these recommendations are listed under our old name, Ancient History Encyclopedia. Help us and translate this article into another language! 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. Many of the other gods of the original Early Iranian Religion were forgotten, however, and are only known through brief reference in Zoroastrian scripture, religious literature, and the tales collected and written down in works such as the Shahnameh and One Thousand Nights and a Night. The resultant discord mirrors the nationalistic ideals of the early Islamic era as well as the moral and ethical perceptions of the Zoroastrian period, in which the world was perceived to be locked in a battle between the destructive Ahriman and his hordes of demonic Divs and their Aneran supporters, versus the Creator Ormuzd, who although not participating in the day-to-day affairs of mankind, was represented in the world by the izads and the righteous ahlav Iranians. Afterwards, his successors must struggle to maintain just rule since deception and trickery will now regularly play a part in politics. Like the unicorn, the karkadann could be tamed by a virgin. Mashya and Mashyana celebrated their union by knitting to the green branches of a plant known as Mord since there was no wedding ceremony. Last modified January 16, 2020. One of the central values of ancient Persian culture was storytelling, and through their rich mythology, they created some of the most memorable characters and tales in world history which have fascinated audiences ever since. Angra Mainyu the chief of the dark spirits of evil and chaos. 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. At this point, Ahura Mazda's supernatural enemy enters the narrative Angra Mainyu (also known as Ahriman) who embodies chaos, darkness, and evil. 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. Yima does so, and the world is saved. 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. To prove his innocence, he rode his great horse Shabrang Behzed through a towering fire and emerged unscathed. After Ahura Mazda created the world and Gavaevodta and set all in motion, the Primordial Bull was killed by Angra Mainyu for no reason other than that he could. Verethragna warrior god whose sole responsibility is to fight against evil. 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. Please donate to our server cost fundraiser 2023, so that we can produce more history articles, videos and translations. He is only finally killed through deceit but still is victorious in maintaining order against chaos. 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. 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. He was a god of courage and enlightenment, and led the chariot of the sun across the sky on its daily journey. 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). When Hushedar appeared, people would stop eating meat and the sun would stand still for ten days. Then Ahura Mazd created Gaymart . Karkadann a horned beast similar to a unicorn. He was considered the greatest protection against evil. 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. 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. Zoroastrianism was developed from this earlier Persian mythology by a prophet called Zarathustra, also known by the Greeks as Zoroaster. Khrafstra evil demons who manifest themselves physically in the form of frogs, lizards, wasps, annoying insects such as stinging ants, and beasts of prey. Ask students to focus on the differences and similarities. Suroosh is the angel who stands on the Chinvat Bridge and Daena is the Holy Maiden who works beside him. Source for information on Persian mythology, ancient: World . 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. 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. Please support World History Encyclopedia. He has a magic cup used in divination which was thought to contain the elixir of immortality. Fravashis guardian angels, an aspect of one's higher self. 30 Apr 2023. The Kara fish swim constantly around these in order to drive away evil spirits who try to destroy them. Ancient Persian Gods, Heroes, and Creatures - The Complete List. Azhdaha dragons, generally; large snakes who prey on people and livestock and are the regular adversaries of the great heroes. Help us and translate this article into another language! A creation myth (or creation story) is a cultural, religious or traditional myth which describes the earliest beginnings of the present world. Tang (Public Domain). 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. The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology: An A-Z Guide to the Myths and Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike, Rashnu an angel; the righteous judge of the dead, Verethragna the warrior god who fights against evil, Vayu god of the wind who chases away evil spirits, Atar god of the divine element of fire; personification of fire, Haoma god of the harvest, health, strength, vitality; personification of the plant of the same name whose juices brought enlightenment. Indra the demon of apostasy who encouraged the abandonment of religious practice and true faith. 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. 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. Last modified December 10, 2019. Mark, J. J. The world, seen and unseen, was created by Ahura Mazda, the source of all good and all life. Zahak (Zohak) the embodiment of the evil Azhi Dahaka. Jahi (Jeh) female demon of lasciviousness referenced as the Whore who defiles altars and corrupts women. Simurgh gave Zal three of her feathers to call upon her if he should ever need help. 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.
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