Huma Bird a mystical bird who lived an exceptionally long life before dying in its own flames and rising again like the Phoenix. 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. Myth - Myth and history | Britannica About a thousand years later, a religion known as Zoroastrianism (pronounced zor-oh-AS-tree-uhn-iz-m) emerged in the region. 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. Rustum is the greatest and best-known Persian champion, invincible in battle, who fights to maintain order and justice against the Kingdom of Turan. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Like the unicorn, the karkadann could be tamed by a virgin. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2023) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. These include the Zoroastrianism creation myth and the tale of King Yama and the salvation of the earth. Dev demon of war and the terror of war, one of the most powerful daevas, completely lacking in morality or compassion. The stories were passed down orally over the centuries until they were written down as part of the religious tradition of Zoroastrianism in the Avesta (Zoroastrian scripture) during the Sassanian Period (224-651 CE) in the reigns of the kings Shapur II (309-379 CE) and Kosrau I (531-579 CE) and then were fully addressed by the Persian poet Abolqasem Ferdowsi (l. 940-1020 CE) in his epic work Shahnameh (The Book of Kings) written between 977-1010 CE. It was also believed that, because cats at times attack enemies much larger than themselves, a diet of cat's flesh would (by sympathetic . World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. Venant (Vanant) one of the Four Royal Stars (modern designation Regulus) who worked for the good under Ahura Mazda. It was considered invincible since its hide was so thick that no weapon could penetrate it and it moved faster than any other living thing on earth. Robert Alter in the Art of Biblical Narrative, recognizes that the Persian creation story of Genesis is utterly dualist. They are thought to be spirits imprisoned to atone for past sins but are neither immortal nor human souls. 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. 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. They are Armaiti (Devotion), Asha Vahishta (Truth/Righteousness), Haurvatat (Wholeness), Khshathra Vairya (Desirable Dominion), Vohu Manah (Good Purpose), Spenta Mainyu (Holy Spirit), Ameretat (Immortality). A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. 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. A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. He was later recognized in the post-Zoroastrian movement of Zorvanism as god of limited space and time. World History Encyclopedia, 09 Dec 2019. Ancient Persian Gods, Heroes, and Creatures - The Complete List His son, the great Kay Kosrow, later avenged him. Mithraism | Definition, History, Mythology, & Facts | Britannica Barmayeh the great cow of the Alburz Mountains who nurses the hero Fereydun and cares for him. Kara Fish fish that protect the Tree of Seeds and the plant Gaokerena in the middle of the Vourukasha Sea. Thus, in the first three centuries, a number of ideas from the ancient Middle East, from Hellenistic and especially from Jewish and Christian traditions . Silver Coin of Bahram IIOsama Shukir Muhammed Amin (Copyright). Iran almanac and book of facts 19641965. 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. 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. World History Encyclopedia. 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. Governed the autumnal equinox; known as Watcher of the West. Agas demon of illness, especially of the eyes. Mark has lived in Greece and Germany and traveled through Egypt. 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. Bushyasta demon of sloth who causes people to slip toward the forces of darkness as he makes them too lazy to resist comfort and commit to fighting for truth. Hvar Ksata (Hvare Khshaeta) god of the full sun, the many-horsed god who drives his chariot across the sky throughout the day. Islamic myth and legend. Their name means immortal spirits. He is the father of Apam-Natat, the god who provides these waters to humanity. Shabrang Behzad the mighty black horse of the hero Siyavash. Trees in Mythology | Encyclopedia.com World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. According to some interpretations, she is the later version of Saena; according to others, a distinct entity. The dog was considered the best protection against these demons and also warded off cats. It struck without warning but, sometimes, would announce itself with a growl like a trumpet. his approval rating hitting 89 percent at the end of the Persian Gulf War. He was favored by the gods and given supernatural powers. The soul would then cross the bridge which became broad and easy for the justified but narrow and difficult for the condemned soul. 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. Karsasp (Keresaspa, Garshasp) the great hero who defeated Gandareva, Karmak, and engaged in many other adventures. When Hushedar-mar appeared, people would stop drinking milk and the sun would stand still for twenty days. 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. Yima (Yama) the first mortal king to have ruled. Daena would appear and, for the justified soul, would be a beautiful young woman while, to the condemned, she would appear as an ugly hag. The Kara fish swim constantly around these in order to drive away evil spirits who try to destroy them. Sassanian-style Plate with Simurghakhenatenator (Public Domain). The greatest Persian hero is Rustum (also given as Rostom and Rustam) who is the grandson of the hero Sam and son of the equally heroic Zal. 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. Chamrosh is also a protective entity who defends Persians against outside invaders, especially raiders, swooping down upon them and carrying them off. House of Lies the dark abode of the dead, a hell in which the condemned soul was tormented while simultaneously feeling completely alone. Hushedar-mar the second of three saviors to appear before the end of the world. This Persian marvel was lost for millennia Only one ancient account mentions the existence of Xerxes Canal, long thought to be a tall tale. Gavaevodata the Primordial Bull (also known as the Uniquely Created Bull, Primordial Bovine, Primordial Ox), the first unique creature made by Ahura Mazda after the creation of sky, water, earth, and vegetation. Simurgh tells Zal to return to his father and the world of humans but gives him a feather (in some versions, three feathers) which he should use to summon her if he needs help. The Al were invisible unless they wanted to be seen, so only their effects made people aware of their existence. A creation myth (or creation story) is a cultural, religious or traditional myth which describes the earliest beginnings of the present world. Zarich the demon of ageing and decrepitude. Learn more about Afro-Asian Literature by watching this video. 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). Karmak is the evil counterpart of the bird Chamrosh who spreads seeds, encourages fertility, and protects the people of the land. Chamrosh and Kamak are also giant birds; Chamrosh a force for good and Kamak for evil. We want people all over the world to learn about history. The stories which form the basis of Persian mythology come from early Persian religious belief. Indar the early god of courage, bravery, heroism, and warfare. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U W Y Z. Aeshma a demon of cruelty who inspires brutality; later re-imagined as one of the archangels. These include a creation myth and a vision of afterlife, which Islam shares with the other Abrahamic . In both Persian and Arabic sources it is said that by eating the flesh of a black cat one is protected against magic (Je, II, p. 207; IV, p. 42; V, p. 341; Damr, II, p. 37; Qazvn, p. 417). Ahura Mazda was uncreated and eternal and, by his goodness . Mark, Joshua J.. "Ancient Persian Mythology." Bahram god of victory in life and after death, associated with the warrior god Verethragna. He is also known as Ahriman, especially in later texts on Zorvanism, where he is referenced as Ahura Mazda's twin brother. Only Rustum was able to ride Rakhsh as Rustum's superior strength and power would have killed any other horse, although Rakhsh would not allow any other rider through devotion to Rustum. 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. He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. Guardian of the winter solstice. Associated with the great dog-bird Simurgh, although some scholars claim they are two distinct entities. Daevas the mostly male demons in the service of Angra Mainyu who spread lies and disorder in the world. Even so, the oral tradition of the Persians is thought to have influenced the religious systems of other cultures many centuries earlier. One branch of these Aryans settled in and around the region now known as Iran (originally known as Ariana the land of the Aryans) prior to the 3rd millennium BCE and are referred to as Indo-Iranians; another branch settled in the Indus Valley and are known as Indo-Aryans. 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. tell our story about the . He took her up on this offer when his wife, Rudaabeh, was in labor and, by Simurgh's aid and instruction, the great hero Rustum was born. Submitted by Joshua J. World History Encyclopedia. The World History Encyclopedia logo is a registered trademark. Nasu (Naush) demon who contaminates corpses of the newly deceased in the form of a fly. Suroosh is the angel who stands on the Chinvat Bridge and Daena is the Holy Maiden who works beside him. Az demon of lust and greed, one of the more dangerous (female) drujs. This hiking route explores an untouched wilderness in the Western Balkans 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. Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Associated with, and possibly the same demon, as Vizaresha. They were also, like the Peri, adopted by the Muslim Arabs as neutral, though potentially dangerous, supernatural forces. This page was last edited on 25 March 2023, at 20:33. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. 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. He is associated with light, righteousness, and purity. Chamrosh has a dog's body with the head and wings of an eagle. Persian Hero RustumMaksim (Public Domain). 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 dog was considered the best protection against these spirits as well as their physical manifestations. A minor god originally, who later became the Supreme Deity as Lord of the universe embodying Time. 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. Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Persia Creation myths are the most common form of myth, usually developing first in oral traditions, and are found throughout human culture.A creation myth is usually regarded by those who subscribe to it as conveying profound truths, though not necessarily in . 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. Mark, Joshua J.. "Twelve Ancient Persian Mythological Creatures." Buyasta demon of laziness who prevents people from doing what they should. 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. Founded by Zoroaster, an Iranian prophet, In 6th Century BC. Mark, Joshua J.. "Ancient Persian Gods, Heroes, and Creatures - The Complete List." 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. Zorvan (Zurvan) the god of time. World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia. Tahmineh mother of the hero Sohrab in the Shahnameh. 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). Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. 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 dog is led in three times but, if it hesitates, can be led in as many as nine times to make sure all evil spirits have been dispersed. 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. 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. When Hushedar appeared, people would stop eating meat and the sun would stand still for ten days. Mark, Joshua J.. "Twelve Ancient Persian Mythological Creatures." A Peri might bring a message from the gods or, alternately, trick someone into believing some untruth or an outright lie. They were the first seven emanations of Ahura Mazda in his act of creation. He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. The sky element rose high above the earth and passed beneath it. 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 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. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. The most prominent and unique feature of ancient Iranian religion was the development of dualism, primarily expressed in the opposition of truth ( arta) and falsehood ( drug, drauga ). Zam-Armatay Mother Nature, the goddess of deified earth, the earth-energy which makes all things live and grow. The evil demons known as khrafstra tried to kill it, taking on the form of a frog and a lizard to eat it, but the plant was protected by the Kara fish who swam around it and kept them away as well as by the Righteous Ass, a pure-white donkey with a single golden horn on his forehead, three legs, nine mouths, and six eyes. Zoroastrianism was developed from this earlier Persian mythology by a prophet called Zarathustra, also known by the Greeks as Zoroaster. Eranvej the Pahlavi name for Airyaneum Vaejah, the center of the world. Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter! Righteous Ass the white donkey with a golden horn protruding from its forehead with three legs, nine mouths, and six eyes who guards the Tree of All Seeds and the great haoma plant, Gaokerena, in the midst of the Vourukasha Sea. Zal albino, the white-haired hero born to the king Sam and father of the champion Rustum. 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. God splits heaven from earth, darkness and light, night and day, evening and morning, water and sky, sets of . Satevis one of the Four Royal Stars (modern designation Antares) who worked for the good on the part of Ahura Mazda. 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. 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. 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. Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University. 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. Help us and translate this definition into another language! Airyaman god of friendship, healing, reconciliation. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. CAT I. In Mythology and Folklore - Encyclopaedia Iranica 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. 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.
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