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. House of Lies the dark abode of the dead, a hell in which the condemned soul was tormented while simultaneously feeling completely alone. Other information on pre-Zoroastrian religion comes from later works known as the Bundahisn and the Denkard and, to a lesser extent, the Vendidad. Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter! The dog was considered the best protection against these demons and also warded off cats. 1) The Bundahishn, which means 'the Creation', is one of the great Pahlavi texts, Zoroastrian sacred literature written in the middle-Persian language. Submitted by Joshua J. He will be resurrected in the final days to slay the dragon Azhi Dahaka. The conflict between good and evil is prevalent in Persian myths as well as Zoroastrianism. It took 800 years to grow and was the source of light and water in the world; light was thought to be reflected from it and water to come from its snow-caps before gathering in the primordial Vourukasha Sea from which all other waters then flowed. The Peris are tiny, lovely, winged creatures neither good nor evil who enjoy playing pranks on people but can also be helpful. Zal becomes a great prince and marries the princess Rudabeh who has a difficult time giving birth to their son. Hadhayans - the celestial bull. 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 . Mark, Joshua J.. "Twelve Ancient Persian Mythological Creatures." We already have a better picture of how 2023 might unfold. Iraj's portion was thought the best and so his brothers killed him for it. A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. 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 protects paradise but also enables human souls to attain it. Zal Taken by the Simurgh (Public Domain). World History Encyclopedia. Chamrosh has a dog's body with the head and wings of an eagle. God splits heaven from earth, darkness and light, night and day, evening and morning, water and sky, sets of . Karsasp (Keresaspa, Garshasp) the great hero who defeated Gandareva, Karmak, and engaged in many other adventures. 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. World History Encyclopedia, 09 Dec 2019. was Ahura Mazda They were allegedly imprisoned in their fairy-form until they had atoned for a past sin but were neither human souls nor immortal entities. Peris are tiny, beautiful, winged creatures usually female who can deliver important messages from the gods or, just as easily, steal and hide some important object or misdirect a person. 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. 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. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Ancient_Persian_Mythology/. 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 stories of these creatures, gods, and spirits as well as the heroes who contended with them were passed down in a long oral tradition until they were included in parts of the Avesta and, more fully, in the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi written between 977-1010 CE. 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. Gavaevodta's corpse is taken to the moon and purified, and from the bull's purified seed, all animals come into being. Known as the Watcher of the North. He becomes the great hero of the Iranian forces against those of Turan and, though eventually killed through deceit and trickery, he prevails and order is restored. We contribute a share of our revenue to remove carbon from the atmosphere and we offset our team's carbon footprint. Related Content Thus, in the first three centuries, a number of ideas from the ancient Middle East, from Hellenistic and especially from Jewish and Christian traditions . Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! The early Iranian deities were almost completely reimagined by Zoroaster but many retained their original function to greater or lesser degrees. Tistar came to earth three times bringing rain in such quantity it flooded the earth. Myth and history represent alternative ways of looking at the past. Jinn were supernatural entities who, like the Peri, were neither immortal nor human souls. Bibliography 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. 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). 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. Chamrosh a giant bird with a dog's body and the head and wings of an eagle. Jahi (Jeh) female demon of lasciviousness referenced as the Whore who defiles altars and corrupts women. They were thought to inhabit lonely places outside of towns such as caves or hills and had power to influence human thought and action. World History Encyclopedia, 10 Dec 2019. 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. Hushedar the first of three saviors to appear before the end of the world. Barmayeh the great cow of the Alburz Mountains who nurses the hero Fereydun and cares for him. From the shadows of a global pandemic has emerged an economic hangover. 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. Founded by Zoroaster, an Iranian prophet, In 6th Century BC. Vohu Manah good purpose, one of the seven Amesha Spentas, represented on earth by domesticated animals, especially the cow. 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. Both assist the newly dead in their crossing from life to death. Thraetaona then installed Iraj's grandson Manuchehr in the throne of Iran. 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. World History Encyclopedia. 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. Zam the earth, home of the mortals, which should be cared for as one cares for one's own house. Sassanian-style Plate with Simurghakhenatenator (Public Domain). Her archenemy is the demon of hunger, need, and want, Tawrich. She was later replaced by Daena who welcomed or rebuked souls arriving at the Chinvat Bridge. His name means radiant sun. Zahak (Zohak) the embodiment of the evil Azhi Dahaka. 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. Mithra's heroic qualities formed the basis for the central figure of the Roman mystery religion known as the Cult of Mithras, but the two deities are not the same. Zahak was a prince who was corrupted by the lies of Angra Mainyu, killed his father, and took the throne. The stories which form the basis of Persian mythology come from early Persian religious belief. Zorvan (Zurvan) the god of time. Haug's answer seems to fit with Zoroaster's original vision but whether it would apply to pre-Zoroastrian understanding is unknown. The strict monotheism of Islam does not allow for much mythological embellishment, and only reluctantly were the scriptural revelations of the Qurn elaborated and enlarged by commentators and popular preachers. Rustum is the greatest and best-known Persian champion, invincible in battle, who fights to maintain order and justice against the Kingdom of Turan. Haoshyangha (Hushang) the grandson of the first mortal king, Gaya Maretan, and known as the great lawgiver who established civilization including agriculture. his approval rating hitting 89 percent at the end of the Persian Gulf War. 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. Thank you! 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. 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. His name means smiting of resistance, and he epitomizes the concept of victory. 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. Zarich the demon of ageing and decrepitude. 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). 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. Angra Mainyu the chief of the dark spirits of evil and chaos. 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. Asha Vahishta god of Truth/Righteousness, one of the seven Amesha Spentas. 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. Jinn (Djinn) supernatural entities, neither immortal nor human spirits, who are better known as genies. Twelve Ancient Persian Mythological Creatures. They bring messages from the gods but might as easily fail to deliver them, or misspeak, as perform their task correctly. 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 . The Al is a nocturnal predator who preys on newborns and was among the most feared of all the evil spirits. We care about our planet! Rustum and Sohrab meet in battle, neither knowing the other's identity, and Sohrab is killed. A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. They were also, like the Peri, adopted by the Muslim Arabs as neutral, though potentially dangerous, supernatural forces. Zoroastrianism was developed from this earlier Persian mythology by a prophet called Zarathustra, also known by the Greeks as Zoroaster. 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. This is also true for many creatures of ancient Persian mythology, the forces for good as well as evil, in that they touch upon universal concerns of the human condition through the specific details of their characters symbolizing various apprehensions and possibilities. 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). Apam-Napat a water god whose name means child of the waters. However one chose would then dictate the quality of one's life and, naturally, one's afterlife. Submitted by Joshua J. He was a god of courage and enlightenment, and led the chariot of the sun across the sky on its daily journey. He was adopted by Simurgh, the dog-bird, and raised as one of her own children, acquiring great strength and wisdom. He was also associated with the haoma plant, as its protector, linking him with enlightenment and guided the faithful toward Truth (Asha) while defending them against the wiles of the forces of darkness. It was the first of the seven regions created by Ahura Mazda. The early Iranian deities were almost completely reimagined by Zoroaster but many retained their original function to greater or lesser degrees. [note 3] It roughly corresponds to the Iranian plateau and its bordering plains. Al (Hal) nocturnal predator demons who fed on newborns and could harm or kill women in late-stage pregnancies. The most feared among them were the Al (Hal) who preyed on newborns and their mothers. With your support millions of people learn about history entirely for free, every month. Indar the early god of courage, bravery, heroism, and warfare. The Amesha Spentas are yazatas, as are angels and a number of other deities. 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. 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. The term 'mythology' comes from the Greek mythos (story-of-the-people) and logos (word or speech), meaning the spoken story of a people. Gaymart's spirit, with that of the primeval ox, lived for 3,000 years during the period in which creation was only spiritual. Traditional legends and stories originally told by ancient Persians and other Iranian peoples, For example, those regions and peoples in the, Indogermanisches etymologisches Wrterbuch, Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of articles related to Persian mythology, Dialect, Culture, and Society in Eastern Arabia: Glossary, Ferdowsi millennial celebration in Berlin, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Persian_mythology&oldid=1146589156, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from September 2021, All articles needing additional references, Articles containing Avestan-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Her name means Belonging to Ahura and, as ahuranis, is also used in reference to divine spirits (ahuras) who fight against evil forces and protect humanity. Izha goddess of sacrifice. His second flood creates the Vourukasha Sea, source of all waters. Siyavash hero of the Shahnameh symbolizing virtue, innocence, integrity, and courage. They were a specific type of a larger group of nocturnal predator demons known as Umm Naush. Khrafstra evil demons who manifest themselves physically in the form of frogs, lizards, wasps, annoying insects such as stinging ants, and beasts of prey. Sam is the grandfather of the great champion Rustum. Please note that some of these recommendations are listed under our old name, Ancient History Encyclopedia. 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. When a person died, their soul hovered around the corpse for three days while the gods tallied up their spiritual credits and debits in life. After the soul has left the body, it was thought to linger on earth for three days while the gods came to a decision regarding one's life and final fate. 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. . The supernatural entities who decided one's fate, and also kept the universe functioning, came into being through the emanations of Ahura Mazda. 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. One of the seven Amesha Spentas. Drvaspa goddess of cattle, children, and friendship, who promotes harmony. florida man april 9, 2007,