Iranian mythology

Iranian mythology encompasses the entirety of the myths of the Iranian peoples . In addition to later stories, this includes traditional legends of early times and antiquity, in which we encounter ancient Iranian deities, the Yazata , and extraordinary and supernatural people and beings. These often and in a characteristic way reflect images and views on the subject of the confrontation between good and evil, depicting the deeds of the gods, heroes and other beings. In the course of their cultural history spanning several thousand years, figures from Iranian mythology frequently and repeatedly show a conceptual and meaning-related further development, for example in the inclusion of some of the characters and concepts of early Iranian mythology in Persian mysticism . The metamorphosis of the image of the bird Simurgh, which already occurs in ancient Iranian texts, to an essential figure of Persian mysticism of the 12th century in the " Conference of the Birds " by the poet Fariduddin Attar can serve as an example .

The area of origin of Iranian mythology and the essential region of its cultural activity include in particular Iran , Afghanistan , Tajikistan , Mesopotamia as well as Kurdistan , the Caucasus , Balochistan and parts of Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent . The book of kings ( Shāhnāme ), the life's work of the Persian poet Abū l-Qāsem-e Ferdousī , which is comparable in its meaning to Homer's Iliad , is decisive for the tradition of mythology . The scope of Homer's work is far exceeded by Persian. Other essential sources of Persian mythology are various sections of the Avesta , such as the Yashts and the writings of Vendidad , as well as the Pahlavi literature. The Iranian creation myth is particularly focused in the Middle Persian book Bundahishn .

The terms “Iranian mythology” and “Persian mythology” are often used synonymously, even if the ethnic component of the term “Iranian” appropriately includes all Iranian tribes beyond the Persian line of the Iranians . This is in addition to the Iranian languages existing designation of customary in the West term Persia as Iran based, among others, that substantial parts of the Iranian mythology in the Persian language, in this case, particularly in Central and in New Persian, were laid down and the Persian language in culturally, it occupies a special position in Central and Southwest Asia as a language that is often used jointly and partly as a lingua franca .

Reliefs on the tomb of the Persian poet Firdausi near Tūs (Tous, Iran ) with scenes from Iranian mythology

Figures and terms of Iranian mythology

The following section provides an overview and, in view of the broad spectrum of Iranian mythology, does not constitute a complete list of all terms and figures.

Abanagan ("Ābānagān"), Ābāngān; Festival in honor of the water, especially the deity Aredvi Sura Anahita

Abbot ("Ābtin"), Avestisch Āθwya; in the Shāhnāme father of Faridun; according to Avesta he is a priest of Haoma, to whom Faridun is born as a reward .

Adargan ("Ādargān"), Āzargān; a festival in autumn, a festival in honor of fire and the deity Ātar

Aeshma , Xišm, Xašm; Daeva of anger, anger

Afrasiab ("Afrāsiāb") Fraŋrasyan, Frāsiāv, Frāsiāk; early Iranian mythical king of the Central Asian Iranian tribes; significant, negative figure in shāhnāme; in the Avesta and in Pahlavi writings involved in a less anthropomorphic form in the struggle between good and evil; murdered Siyawasch, whose son Kai Chosrau, grandson of Afrasiab, later fought him; tries in Zamyad Yasht to seize Xwarenahs (Farr) and swims in Farāxkart (Vorukaša); according to Bundahischn and Zadspram active in the fight against Iran against the rain, but is defeated by Spendarmad (Spenta Armaiti) ; as a good deed, defeated the Arab occupier Zeyngave Dorvand .

Agash , Daeva of the Evil Eye, meets us in the Great Bundahishn

Ahriman , Angra Mainyu . Spirit of Evil Creation, Destructive Spirit, Primal Sphere of Evil Creation; opposed to him Spenta Mainyu and Ahura Mazda

Ahura Mazda , Hurmazd, Hormuzd, Ohrmazd, Ormazd; “The Wise Lord”, Creator; Ahura Mazda already appears in the oldest Iranian texts, for example in the Gathas and in the ancient Persian , Achaemenid documents, there for example in the trilingual Behistun inscription .

Airyaman Ishya , Airyaman Išya (Avestan); Middle Persian Ērmān or Irmān; Iranian deity of healing and medicine; appears in Ardwahisht Yasht, among others.

Airyanem Vaejah , Ērānwēz; "Far country of the Aryans", original home of the Iranians in the Avesta

Airyava , Airyāva ( Avestan "helpers of the Iranians"); Name of the house Iradsch in the Avesta

Aka Manah , Akōman, Akvan Div; Daeva and opponent of Vohumanas , an arch demon
Akatash , Daeva, "creator of evil," according to the Bundahishn, preventing people from doing good

Ama ; Deity of courage and strength; in the Avesta as well as in the Pahlavi literature; often appears with Verethragna

Amschaspand (Amesha Spenta), "Promoting Immortals", "Holy Immortals". Aspects of Ahura Mazda, supreme powers in the realm of light

Anagran , Anagrān ( Avestian Anagra Raocah ), also Garudemān and Garzmān; highest level of light in the kingdom of Ahura Mazda, without beginning and unlimited; at the same time a deity. In the literature, Anagrān sometimes appears in the modified form Aniran, not to be confused with the term Aniran as "non-Iran".

Anahita ("Anāhitā"), Aredvi Sura Anahita ("Arədvī Sūrā Anāhitā"); Deity of water, cosmic flow and fertility; in the Pahlavi literature association with the planet Venus corresponding to Pahlavi Anāhid and later Nāhid in Neupersian

Anaya - demonic monsters

Andar , Indra; Daeva, opposed to the “Best Truth” Ardvahišt ( Aša vahišta, Ordibehesht) , an arch demon
Apam Napat ( Avestan and Old Persian , "grandson of the waters"); in Middle Persian also as Ābān and Borz or Burz and Borzizad ("deity Borz"); Deity of water; appears inter alia in Zamyad-Yasht, here in close relation to Farr and in opposition to Afrasiab's efforts to seize it. See also Abanagan and Varuna .
Apaosha , Daeva of drought and drought, antagonist of the deity Tištrya

Depiction of the deities Anahita and Ahura Mazda in Taq-e Bostan : rock sculpture with the Persian great king Chosrau Parwiz in the middle, Anahita on the left and Ahura Mazda on the right. Iran

Arasch ("Ārasch"), also Ārash , Avestisch Erexša , "swift arrow"; glorious hero and archer
Arjāsp , king (of Turan ) in the Avesta and in the Shāhnāme (grandson of Afrasiab)
Aržang , evil div in Mazandaran
Ashi ("Aši"), Avestian also Ashi Vanguhi ("good wages"), corresponding to Middle Persian Ahrishwang, Ashishwang, Ard, Art; Goddess of good wages; fulfills the wishes of those people who live on the basis of truthfulness and are righteous, gives them happiness and wealth and rewards them in the hereafter; dedicated to her Ard Yasht; associated with spring blossoms.
Ashtad ("Aštād", Pahlavi), also Arštād; Avestian Arštāt and Aršti; Iranian deity; associated with Rashnu and of eschatological importance; Representation of sincerity and justice.
Asman (Avestian), Pahlavi Asmān, Neupersisch Āsmān; Heaven, patron deity of heaven; he donates wealth; in the fight against Ahriman he tames addition to the Daevas and Ahriman himself.
Astovidatu , Daeva of Death
Ātar or Ātaš, also Atar, Adar; Iranian deity of fire; Helper Amshaspands ASA vahišta , "Son of Ahura Mazda"; Ātar already appears in the Gathas and is increasingly personified in later literature ; fights in Vendidad against Azhi Dahaka .
Az ("Āz", Middle and New Persian), Avestian Āzi; Daeva of Greed and Desire; appears in Middle Persian literature in particular in Manichaean and Zurvanist- influenced texts and occupies a considerably higher position in the hierarchy of demons than in Avestan writings, for example in the Zurvanist-oriented work "Wizidagīhā-ī Zātspram" as "Commander-in-Chief" of the demonic powers and in a Manichaean representation as the "mother of all demons"; In contrast to the avestic Āzi, which has more of the meaning of the demon of greed, the figure also includes sexual desire in the later period.

Azargoschasp, an angel guarding the fire

Azhi Dahaka , Aži Dahāka (Avestic, Aži : snake, dragon; originating from Aži Dahāka , Middle Persian Aždahāg and Dahāg, later New Persian Eždehā for "dragon", in Shāhnāme Zahāk or Zohāk ); very early, negative figure; appearing in the Avesta in the book Yasna as div and creature of Ahriman with "three heads" and "six eyes", there defeated by Faridun ; In Shāhnāme, cruel successor to King Jamschid, murdered his own father at Ahriman's instigation , nourishes snakes that grow from his shoulders after Ahriman's kiss , with the brains of young men, is beaten by Faridun after a popular uprising and chained to Mount Damavand .

Bahram or Verethragna , deity of victory, see also Verethragna .

Bijan , young Persian prince with a fateful love for Manisheh

Chista ("Čistā"), Tschista; Deity of knowledge and understanding; The Yasht, named after Daena, can be assigned to Chista in terms of content.

Cinvat Bridge , "Tschinwat-peretu" in the Avesta; “Bridge of Divorce”, the test of which the souls of the deceased must stand and pass

Daena , deity of inner vision and knowledge; appearing in the Vendidad and in the Denkard as personification of the deeds, of the “conscience” of the deceased; At the Cinvat Bridge , Daena guides the soul of the dead to the “House of Song”, corresponding to “Paradise”, or to the “House of Lies”, “Hell”.

Daeva , initially "false gods" in the Avesta, later increasingly appearing as demons (divs)

Damavand ("Damâvand"), highest peak in Iran, mountain with mythological significance; especially appears as a symbol of resistance to foreign rule and despotism; see Azhi Dahaka and Ārash

Dastan ("Dastân"), name of the hero Zal . See Zal . In Shāhnāme, Dastan's son, the glorious hero and warrior Rostam, is mentioned as "Dastan's Rostam" ("Rostam, son of Dastan"), Persian Rostame Dastân .

Derafsch Kaviani ("Derafše Kâviâni"), Derafshe Kaviani; Kaveh's flag; see Kaveh .

Divs , demonic beings, see also Daeva

Drvaspa ("Drwāspā"), Darvāsp; a deity; Representation and guardian of farm animals; shares attributes of Anahitas and Ashis in Drvasp Yasht .

Dschahi , Jahi (Avestian), Middle Persian Jēh; Demoness, Ahriman's wife

Jamschid , Yima, Yima Xšaēta; a central, early figure, in the Shāhnāme king of the Pishdādiān dynasty before Sohāk (Azhi Dahāka), who had him murdered.

Esfandiyar , Spandyat, in the Avesta Spentodata; Son of Vishaspas; The victorious warrior Esfandiyar falls in the Shahnameh in the fight against Rostam, whose confrontation he had reluctantly sought out of respect for its merits and only at the behest of Vishaspa .

Ezida

Faravahr (Pahlavi), Avestisch Fravashi, Neupersisch Foruhar . Even before the materialization of creation, individually applied power to all created things, which also survives the end of this worldly being of every creature, in humans as one of the five inner forces, among others next to Daena . Fravashi of good people appear as protective forces after their death. Also Ahura Mazda and Amshaspands have their Fravashis. In the Vendidad the divs are to be understood as the Fravashi of deceased sinners.

Farāxkart , Vourukaša; mythological sea; see Vourukaša .

Faridun , Fereydūn, Avestisch Traetaona ("Θraētaona"); Hero of the Pishdādiān dynasty in the Shāhnāme, together with Kaveh defeats the cruel ruler Zahhak or Azhi Dahaka and becomes king, reigns as a symbol of the just and generous ruler; in the Avesta he slays the dragon Azhi Dahaka; Father of Iradschs, Salms and Turs; see also Azhi Dahaka and Zahhak .

Farr , Xwarenah, Xwarrah, Khwarenah, Khwarrah . Of God or the gods, power sent to the elect; "Splendor and Glory", "the charisma of majesty passed down by the gods"

Frawardigan ("Frawardigān"), also Farwardigān . Festival in honor of the Fravashis (Faravahrs) in the first month of the Iranian calendar

Fire in Iranian mythology, see Ātar and the typology under Nariosang

Frashokereti , Frashkard. Renewal of the world after the day of divorce and thus after the defeat of'Ahriman and the end of the evil creatures; Age when the righteous live in the peace of a renewed world.

Detail of the portal of the Nader-Divan-Beghi-Madrasah with the representation of Simurgh ( Pahlavi : Senmurv), Bukhara , Uzbekistan

Garschasp , Garšāsp (New Persian), Avestian Kərəsāspa and Middle Persian Kirsāsp; Son of Sam, who was the third person to prepare the drink Haoma and to whom Garschasp and his brother were given as a reward; one of the most glorious figures in Iranian mythology; Transition of the Farr of Courage and War from the apostate Jamschid to Garschasp; The book Garschāspnāme by the Persian poet Asadi Tusi is also dedicated to Garschasp ; various information on Garschasp's ancestors and descendants depending on the source; in Shāhnāme father of Narimān and grandfather of Sāms

Garsivaz , Garsiwaz; Brother of Afrasiab, takes care of the clouding of the relationship between Afrasiab and Siyawasch, who is eventually murdered at Afrasiab's instigation.

Garudemān, Garzmān; see Anagran .

Gayomarth , the first human being (Avestisch Gayō Maretan ), murdered at Ahriman's instigation; in Shāhnāme as Kaiumar's king and founder of the Pishdādiān dynasty; see also Maschia and Maschiana .

Geush Urvan (Avestian), the soul of the “cow” created next to Gayomarth in the beginning, to which the good creation and its spirit go back; see also Mah .

Gīv , Giv, Gew, Pahlavi Vēv; Bijan's father and Gudarz's son , went to the land of Turan in search of Kai Chosrau and saved him after seven years.

Gordafarid ("Gordāfarīd"); Iranian warrior, fighting Sohrab; clever heroine and symbol of a courageous warrior

Goshtasp , Goštaspā ,, king of the Kayanid dynasty . See also Mishap .

Gostahm (Neupersisch), Avestisch Vistauru, Pahlavi Vistahm and Vistaxm; Hero figure in the shahnameh; Son of Nowzar and brother of Tus; already appears in Avesta; glorious military leader in the fight against the land of Turan; like his brother Tus, prays to the deity Anahita; after it splits the water masses of the river “Vitanguhaiti” in response to his prayer, Vistauru crosses the river bed.

Deities; see Yazata .

Gudarz , Iranian general and advisor to the king during the reign of Kai Kawus and Kai Chosrau; Son of Keschwad and father of Gīv and Rohhāms . According to Ferdousi, in addition to the house of Sām, the "Gudarz-e-Kešvādegān" family was of great importance in the Kayanid era .

Haft Keshvar (Neupersisch), in Avesta Haptō Karšvare, here in the Gathas as Haptaiti Bumi; the “seven countries” according to the division of the earth into seven regions in Iranian mythology, this on the basis of the Indo-Iranian myths also in India and accordingly in Sanskrit as Sapta Dvipa .

Haoma , plant, ritual intoxicating drink, at the same time a deity, see also Hom

Hokar , Avestisch Hukairya; Summit mentioned several times in the Avesta, from the height of which the river Anahita ("Aredvi Sura Anahita") flows into the sea of Vourukasha ; appears in Yashts 10 and 12 as well as in Visperad and Bundahischn .

Hom or Haoma; heroic holy figure in the Yashts and in the Shāhnāme; Both avestic sources and the description in Shāhnāme reveal an essential role Homs played in the fight against Afrasiab, specifically the capture and, according to some of the information, the death of Afrasiab after his defeat by Kai Chosrau . See also Haoma .

Homa (Persian), Avestisch Humāya and Pahlavi Humāy; mythological bird of blessings and joy. The shadow of the flying Homas give happiness; if Homa cast his shadow in circles on a person or if he sat on his shoulders, kingship was predetermined for him. Here a clear context with Farr (Xwarenah) . The bird Homa appears in the “ Conference of Birds ” by the Persian poet Fariduddin Attar from the 12th century, and it forms the emblem and name of the Iranian national airline Iran Air, founded in 1946 .

Homa Tschehrsad , Homāy Čehrzād, Homāy Čehrāzād, Avestisch Humāyā / Humaya, Pahlavi Homāk; Iranian queen from the Kayanid dynasty ; already appears in the Avesta in the Drvasp Yasht and in the Farvardin Yasht, as well as in the Bundahishn, in the Shāhnāme and in other sources; in the Pahlavi story “Yadegar-e Zariran” she appears as the daughter of Wishtaspa and as the most beautiful woman in Iran.

Human ("Hōman"); Turanian warrior who keeps Rostam's identity a secret from Sohrab in the battle between the two heroes; Human, brother of Piran in Shāhnāme and the younger Pilsam , is one of the sons of the House of Viseh and appears in the Bundahishn as the son of Visak (Avestisch Vaesaka, Neupersisch Viseh ). He is defeated by Bijan in the Shāhnāme in the course of the war between Kai Chosrau and Afrāsiāb , while in the Avesta the "sons of Vaesaka" are killed in the battle against Kavi Hausravangha (Kai Chosrau) .

Hōšang , Avestisch Haošyaŋha, Haošangha; in Shāhnāme king of the Pishdādiān dynasty; appears in the Avesta with the Avesta root of the name of the ruling house ( Paradāta corresponding to Pishdād), among others in the Zamyad Yasht, where it is reported that he ruled over "seven countries".

Hvare Xšaēta , Xwaršēd, Khorshid : “Radiant Sun”; Deity of the sun, sun; Hvare Xšaēta is particularly dedicated to a Yasht of the same name in Avestan literature, and a Niyâyeš in the Khordeh Avesta .

Iradsch , Iradj, Avestisch Airyava Êreač; Son of Faridun, king of the Pishdādiān dynasty; installed by Faridun as heir to the throne of Iran, while Salm received the western territories, often identified with the great Sarmatia , and Tur the eastern regions beyond the Oxus, henceforth called Turan . See also Salm and Tur and Turan .

Joshamin

Rachsch kills the beast while Rostam sleeps. Episode from Haft Xāne Rostam . Persian miniature from a manuscript by Schahname .

Kai Bahman (Persian), Middle Persian Wahman; corresponding to the avestical form "Kavi Vohumana ", but not appearing in the Avesta; King of the Kayanid dynasty and son of Esfandiyar, in the Middle Persian Denkard counted among the outstanding Zoroastrian kings of Iran; in more recent literature partly understood as a combination of historical great kings from the Achaemenid period; On the occasion of the death of his father Esfandiyar in the fight against Rostam , Bahman successfully led his troops into the Sīstān area , home and seat of the House of Rostam, according to Shāhnāme .

Kai Kawus , Kavi Usan; King of the Kayanid dynasty ; Father of Siyawasch and grandfather Kai Chosraus; depicted in many traditions and adventures in the Avesta, the Pahlavi writings and in the Shāhnāme. Support from Rostam in several episodes ; was carried into the sky by a flying device - consisting of a special throne and eagles.

Kai Chosrau , Kavi House Ravangha; one of the most distinguished and wisest royal figures, king of the Kayanid dynasty ; Parallels to the historical figure of Cyrus the Great ; defeated Afrāsiāb, who murdered his father Siyawasch ; after further years of reign he decided of his own accord against the throne and went into nature, followed by his resurrection; will return with the Savior ( Saoshyant) for Frashokereti, the day of the renewal of the world.

Kai Kobad ("Kai Qobād"), Kavi Kavāta, Kai Ghobād; Founder of the Kayanid dynasty ; wages victorious war against Afrasiab and rules as the just king of Iran.

Kaveh ("Kāveh"); Hero in the fight against Zahhak; after eighteen of his sons were murdered by Zahhak , Kaveh leads the people against Zahhak in order to overthrow him; Kaveh's blacksmith's apron ( Derafsche Kaviani) , set with precious stones by Faridun and other kings , became the symbol of freedom and the nation and later the flag of the Sassanid Persian Empire ; Ancestor of the House of Karen from the seven leading families of the Parthian nobility, which ruled in northern Persia with interruptions until the 11th century AD.

Kavi Siāvaršan See Siawasch

Kayanids , early Iranian mythological dynasty, already mentioned in the Yashts; in the "Farvardin Yasht" under the names: Kavi Kavāta, Kavi Aipi Vanghu, Kavi Usaδan (Kavi Usan), Kavi Aršan, Kavi Pisina, Kavi Byaršan, Kavi Syāvaršan, Kavi Hausrava (Kavi Hausravangha). The Kayanids also appear in other works of Iranian literature, including in the Shāhnāme with a corresponding neo-Persian modification of the name. See also entries under Kai and Kavi .

Keresaspa, see Garschasp .

Keschwad , Kešvād, Gešvād; Father of Gudarz and ancestor of the house "Gudarz Kešvādegān", son of the hero Bešaxra from the tribe of Kāveh, lived at the time of Faridun

Kianeseh ("Kiāneseh"), Kiānsieh, Kānsieh, Kānsaoyah; Lake of considerable mythological importance, identified with Lake Hāmun .

Lohrasp ("Lohrāsp"), Kai Lohrasp, in Avesta Aurvat Aspa; King of the Kayanid dynasty ; According to Firdausi , Lohrāsp founded the temple “Barzin”, which is partly identified with the fire temple “Azar Barzin Mehr” (“Adur Burzen-Mihr”) , which was outstanding in the Parthian and Sassanid times .

Mah ("Māh", Persian), Avestian Māvangh ; Deity of the moon, moon; After the killing of the first beast created by Ahura Mazda , the first "cow", the primordial "ox", at the behest of Ahriman , the moon takes care of the seed of the beast, primordial germ of all animal creation, and purifies it in its light. See also Geush Urvan .

Manischeh , Manijeh; Daughter of Afrasiab, lover of Bijan

Manthra ("Mānthra") Avestisch, Māntra, Pahlavi Mānsar; verbal poetic thought, “divine word”, “holy word”, meaningful message and motto; at the same time saying and prayer against illness, misfortune and demons, see also Divs and Vendidad.

Manthraspenta , Mānthraspenta (Avestic); Pahlavi Māraspand; manthra endowed with divine power ; in more recent Avestan texts, for example in Vendidad, protective deity of the holy word and deity of the word Ahura Mazdas; depicted as "the white, bright, shining soul of Ahura Mazda".

Manticore , Martyaxwar ( Old Persian : "ogre"); a mythical creature

Manutscher , Persian Manūchehr , Avestisch Manuščiθra; King figure already appearing in the Avesta. In the Shāhnāme grandson of Iradj, ruler of Iran, dynasty of the Pishdādiān

Maschia and Maschiana , Mašyaɣ / Mašyānaɣ, Mahryāɣ / Mahryānaɣ, Mašyā / Mašyānē; according to the eighth book of the way of thinking and there with reference to Chehrdad Nask (Čihrdād Nask), a lost text of the Sassanid Avestas, the first man and the first woman; After Gayomarth's assassination, his seeds give birth to a plant from which Maschia and Maschiana emerge.

Mehrab ("Mehrāb"), mihrab; King of Kabul; Rudabeh's father , Rostam's mother

Mehrgan ("Mehrgān"), Mehregān, Mithrākān; Iranian festival in honor of the deity Mithra . On the last and sixth day of the festival, the cruel King Sohāk was chained to Mount Damavand by Faridun .

Statue of the hero Ārash (Erexša). Imperial palace complexes at Saadabad , Tehran , Iran

Mithra , Mihr, More; Iranian deity of the contract and the oath, protector of truth, later associated with the sun; the deity, which existed in the earliest Iranian times, was integrated into Zoroastrian teaching and worshiped as Yazata .

Nanghait , Nanghaithya; an arch demon, daeva of discontent and pride

Nariman ("Narimān"), father of the hero Sām

Nariosang , Pahlavi Naryosang, Avestisch Nairyo Sangha; Iranian deity ; at the same time, in addition to the five avestic types of fire, Berezisavangha, Vohu Fryāna, Urvāzišta, Vāzišta and Speništa appear as another type of fire presented in the Avesta; Nariosang acts as a deity alongside and partly together with Sraosha, especially in the role of a messenger to Ahura Mazda .

Nouruz , Nowruz, Naurus, Newroz, Noruz; New Year and Spring Festival for the spring equinox, beginning March 20 and 21, respectively; according Shahnameh first introduced by the king Jamshid, accordingly, in the Persian as Nowruze Dschamschidi and as Jamshed Nawroz-i in the parsing ; Cover the tablet Haft Sin ("Sieben S") as one of the essential Nouruz traditions, including seven main components with symbolic meaning and a representation of the seven Amschaspands (Amesha Spenta), corresponding to the first letter of the name Spenta .

Nowzar , heroic king and son of Manucher, Pishdādiān dynasty of the Shāhnāme, fell fighting Afrasiab; in the Avesta Nautairia as the house of Nowzar, "Nowzar's family"

Pari ( New Persian), Pahlavi Parīg, Avestisch Pairikā; according to Vendidad, beings originally worshiped as deities, represented in comets and moving celestial bodies; later increasingly negative evaluation as part of the armies of Ahriman, who worked in heaven against Tishtrya and thus against the rain, as in Tishtar Yasht; in the course of the course increasingly anthropomorphic appearing design as the Daevas and Divs corresponding, in the form of beguiling female beauties appearing beings with high magical power, which, like the early Pairikā , are able to fly. In the more recent Persian literature, it is rated positively as a symbol of innocent female beauty.

Paschang ("Pašang"); according to Shāhnāme father of Afrasiab and from the house of Tur, one of the three sons of Faridun, according to Bundahishn brother of Visak (according to Vaesaka or Viseh )

Peschu-Pana ("Pešu-Pāna"); two dogs whose job it is to guard the Cinvat Bridge .

Pilsam Brother of Piran in Shāhnāme, defeated in battle by Rostam; appears in the Bundahishn as San ("Sān").

Piran Viseh ("Pirān-Viseh"), corresponding to the Avestan name of the family Vaesakya; multi-layered, tragic and dazzling Turan figure in the Shāhnāme; seeks to reconcile the warring relatives of Iran and Turan after the Iranian Prince Siyawasch, who fled to Turan and protected by him , was murdered on Afrāsiāb's orders; protected against the wishes of Afrāsiāb, Siyawasch's young son Kai Chosrau, the future Iranian king; nevertheless fights in the dispute between the Iranians and Afrāsiāb on the Turanian side and falls in a duel with Gudarz .

Pishdādiān , corresponding to Avestic Paradāta . Dynasty of early Iranian mythical kings before the house of the Kayanids . In the Avesta the term appears in the Yashts as well as in Vendidad and for the first time with King Haošangha (Hōšang) . Beginning of the dynasty with Kaiumars (Gayomarth) in Shāhnāme .

Qaf ("Qāf"), Kuh-e Qāf, Qāfkuh; a mountain range that surrounds the entire world; The sun shines over him every morning; The most diverse myths and ideas entwine around the mountain; significant importance for Persian literature and Persian mysticism, thus to be found, for example, in Firdausi and Fariduddin Attar . The bird Simurgh (Senmurv) lives on Mount Qāf .

Rachsch , horse of the hero and warrior Rostam

Rama (“Rāma”), Rām, Rāman (Avestic “rest” or “peace”, corresponding to Persian Ārāmeš ); a deity, in the Bundahishn, in contrast to the Avestic Ram Yasht, identified with the deity Vayu and represented, among other things, as "the entire creation" pleasing and pacifying

Rashnu (Avestisch), Pahlavi Rashn, in Avesta also as Rašnu Razišta; Deity of righteousness, after Mithra and Sraosha third deity at the Cinvat bridge ; Son of Ahura Mazdas and Spenta Armaitis and brother Mithras, Sraoshas, Ashis and Daenas

Rātā , protective deity of generosity

Rostam , great hero and warrior, partly identified with Surena ; Son of Zal and father Sohrāb; one of the most colorful figures of the shahnameh

Rudabeh , mother of Rostam, wife of Zal

Sadeh Festival , Sada; Feast of the fire, on which bonfires are kindled, one hundred days after the beginning of the great winter Zayana and fifty days and fifty nights before the New Year and Spring Festival Nowruz, thus before the "great summer" Hama and in two ways related to the number "hundred", New and Middle Persian “sad”.

Salm , Avestisch Sairima, Pahlavi Sarm; one of the three sons of Faridun, who inherited one of three parts of the kingdom; In research it is often regarded as the forefather of the Iranian people, the Sarmatians and Alans, as well as the Ossetians who emerged from them (self-designation in Ossetian as “irættæ”: “Iranians”). See also Iradsch and Tur .

Sām , Zal's father and Rostam's grandfather in Shāhnāme; also occurring in the Avesta, see also Garschasp

Saoschjant , Sošiānt; Figure of the savior of the world

Saurwa , an arch demon , Daeva of oppression and bondage

Shagād , half-brother of Rostam

Shangol, King of India, ally of Afrasiab in the fight against Iran

Siamak ("Siāmak"), beloved son of Kaiumars (see Gayomarth ), fell in the fight against a Div

Simurgh (Persian), Pahlavi Sēnmurv, Avestisch Mərəγō Saēnō ("The Bird Saēna"); mythological bird in Avestan , Middle Persian and Persian literature; in the Shāhnāme he appears, among other things, in connection with the hero Zal, whom he rescues as an infant and educates with wisdom and love.

Simurgh tree , tree of Simurgh in Lake Farāxkart or, according to Shāhnāme, in the heights of the Elburs Mountains

Siyawasch , prince, son of Kai Kawus . In the Avesta Siāvaršan and in the Pahlavi literature Siāvaxš; marries in Shāhnāme Farangis, the daughter of Afrasiab, but is later killed by Afrasiab ; Symbol of the noble person and at the same time the most worthy prince.

Coin of the Empire of the Hephthalites with the inscription of the name of King Napki Malka in Pahlavi and a fire altar

Sohrab (“Sohrāb”), son of Rostam, falls in a duel against Rostam, in which Rostam feels the high martial art of Sohrāb without recognizing each other as father or son, since Sohrāb could not grow up with his father; Only shortly before the death of the badly wounded Sohrāb does the identity of the two heroes become known, followed by one of the most painful scenes of the Shāhnāme. See also: Rostam and Sohrab .

Spenta Armaiti , Spendarmad, Espand, Esfand; "Holy Devotion", "Holy Humility", "Holy Piety"; an Amshaspand, "daughter of Ahura Mazdas"; in the physical world associated with the earth

Spenta Mainyu , Primordial Sphere of Good Creation Ahura Mazdas, Spirit of good and pure creation; opposed to him Angra Mainyu / Ahriman

Sraosha , Soroush , Surusch , Sarusch ( Sarūš ); Iranian deity of obedience, symbol of conscience, messenger (or angel) Ahura Mazdas and "teacher Daenas"; In comparison to the appearance in the Gathas in more recent Avestan texts, it increasingly assumes properties of the deity Mithra ; fights against the Daevas in Vendidâd , appears partly among the judging deities of the hereafter.

Sudabeh , wife of Kai Kawus with a fateful love for Siyawasch

Tahmina , Tahmineh; Wife of the hero Rostam and mother Sohrābs

Tahmorath , Tahmuras; Son of Hōšang and king, defeated the Divs, king of the Pishdādiān dynasty in the Shāhnāme

Taurvi , Tauriz; Daeva of Hunger, an arch demon

Thrita ("Θrita"), Trita; first doctor and healer on earth; his healing arts appear in the Vendidad and in the Bundahischn ; Treatment with medicinal plants and surgical interventions are reported, as well as therapy against poison, fever and broken bones; partly equated with Θraētaona (Faridun) ; Parallels to the figure of the first doctor or the god of healing in other cultures, such as the Egyptian Imhotep and the Greek Asclepius ; A priest of Haoma from the house "Sāma" (Neupersisch Sām ) appears as Thrita in Hom Yasht , whose knowledge of the Haoma plant is praised and to whom two sons, Garšāsp (Garschasp) and Urvāxšaya, were given as a reward .

Tirgan ("Tirgān"), Tiregān; Iranian festival in honor of the deity Tishtrya, festival of rain. In the course of the territorial dispute between the countries of Iran and Turan , legend has it that the warrior Arash shot an arrow on the day of this festival, which established the border between the two peoples and ended the dispute.

Tishtrya , Tištrya, Tir; Deity of rain, the star Sirius ; Opponent Apaoshas; partly identified with the planet Mercury , whose Persian name Tir is derived from Tishtrya

Tschahar Shanb-e Suri ("Tschāhār Schanbe Sūrī"); Celebration of the triumph of light over the darkness before Nouruz and thus before the equinox of spring; celebrated with bonfires on the eve of the last Wednesday of the Persian year

Tur , son of Faridun, in the Shāhnāme ancestor of Afrasiab and generally of the kings of the land of Turan, whose name makes a literal reference to the figure of Tur.

Turan (mythology) , old Iranian name, most closely related to Central Asia, "Land of Tur". See also Tur .

Tus , Tōs, Tous; Son of Nowzar, appears in the Avesta in the Yashts, in the Pahlavi literature in the Denkard and Bundahishn and in the Shāhnāme. The Shahnameh's report about Tus as the military leader of Iran in the fight against the warring Turanians, specifically the sons of Viseh (Avestisch Vaesaka ), is reflected in the reports of the Yashts. In Aban-Yasht, Tus asks the deity Anahita for victory in this battle, which he ultimately decides in his favor.

Uparatāt ; Iranian deity of superiority, goddess of victory; mostly mentioned in the literature together with Verethragna and Ama .

Vāda , Vāta; a deity of the wind

Vanant (Avestian: "defeating"), Vanand; Iranian deity, mostly identified with the star Vega in the constellation of the lyre ; Vanant is dedicated to a Yasht of the same name.

Varaqna ("Vāraɣna"), Vāreqna, Vāreqan, Vāraghna, Vāreghna, Vāreghan; mythological bird, mostly identified in the animal world as a falcon ; according to Zamyad Yasht, Jamschid's “Farr” (Xvarrah) passes over to Mithra as well as to Faridun and Garschasp after his fall from the right path “in the body of the bird Vāraqna” ; as a bird with superior attributes appears Vāraqna et al. a. in Bahram Yasht, where the possession of his pen and its friction on the body gives the owner Farr and invincibility, which shows parallels to the meaning of Simurgh's pen in Shāhnāme.

Varuna , Iranian deity, to be distinguished from Varuna in India

Vayu , another deity of the wind

Varzesch-e Pahlavani , a Persian martial art

Verethragna ( Avestish Vərəθraγna ), Varahran, Vahram, Bahram; Deity of victory; Verethragna is dedicated to Bahram Yasht, where "conquering superiority" is ascribed to the deity; Named after Verethragna are several Sassanid great kings and princes as Bahram , as well as the planet Mars in Central and Neo-Persian.

Viseh (Neupersisch), Middle Persian Visak, Avestisch Vaesaka; Father of the Turan warriors and princes Piran Viseh, Pilsam and Human, the House of Vaesakya going back to him .

Goshtasp's polo game at the court of the Roman emperor. Persian miniature from a manuscript by Shahnama

Vivanghan ("Vivanghān"); according to Avesta first priest of Haoma, to whom a son, who later became King Jamschid, was given as a reward .

Vourukasha ("Vourukaša", Avestisch), Pahlavi Farāxkart; mythological sea, the origin of which can be found in Tir-Yasht; afterwards the deity Tishtrya waged a war against Apaosha in order to free the rain from its clutches; the victory achieved in three stages was followed by a rainy season of ten days and ten nights, the water masses of which finally destroyed Ahriman and the Divs and gave rise to the Vourukaša Sea. Considerable mythical significance, as various events in Iranian mythology are reported in connection with this sea, including in connection with Anahita, Simurgh and Afrasiab .

Wishtaspa , Kavi Wištaspā; King in the time of Zarathustra , Goshtasp in Shāhnāme; Differences in the figure of Wishtaspa between Avestan texts and the Shāhnāme

Wis and Ramin , Vis and Ramin ("Wīs and Rāmīn"); Love story from the Parthian Empire , in which two Parthian ruling houses are involved; originally written in Middle Persian, later in the New Persian version by the Persian poet Gorgani zu Isfahan.

Yatu ("Yātu", Avestian and Old Persian), Pahlavi Jādūg; Wizard; corresponding to New Persian Jādu for magic, spell, witchcraft, witchcraft

Yazata ( Avestan ), Iranian deities with Ahura Mazda as creator. Yazata as deities include Mithra, Anahita, Verethragna, Sraosha, Atar, Hvare Xshaeta, Vad, Vayu, Tishtrya, Zam (Zamyad), Rashnu and the six Amschaspands . Yazata in Avesta also as the truthful and rightly guided (called Ashavan according to the Asha principle ) with Zarathustra as their highest.

Yima , Yima Xšaēta . See Jamshid

Zahhak , Sahhāk, Sahāk, Sohhāk, Sohāk; See in addition to Zahhak the keyword above Azhi Dahaka and the corresponding article under Azhi Dahaka .

Zairicha , Zairiz; Daeva of Thirst, an arch demon

Zāl ("Zāl", also Dastan ), Rostam's father ; rescued and raised in love as an infant by the bird Simurgh on the summit of Mount Damavand , Zal later returned to the Sām who had abandoned him

Zam , Zāmyazd, Zāmyād; Deity of the earth, Zam at the same time as earth; among the “Yashts”, “Zāmyād Yasht” bears the name of the deity; the 28th day of the month is dedicated to her.

Zau , descendant of Faridun and successor of Nowzar, in the Shāhnāme member of the Pishdādiān dynasty

Zurchāneh , traditional Iranian sports venue

Zurvan Zurvān, Zruvān, Zarvān (Middle Persian "time" corresponding to Avestian Zruvan and Persian Zamān ); Creator God and Father Ahura Mazdas in Zurvanism

literature

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Hashem-e Razi. Chronology & Ancient Iranian Festivals . Behjat, Tehran, 2004. ISBN 964-6671-37-3 .
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Friedrich Rückert: Firdosi's Book of Kings (Schahname) Sage XV – XIX. Edited from the estate by EA Bayer. Reprint of the first edition. epubli Berlin, 2010, ISBN 978-3-86931-407-5 (details).
Friedrich Rückert: Firdosi's Book of Kings (Schahname) Sage XX – XXVI. Edited from the estate by EA Bayer. Reprint of the first edition. epubli Berlin, 2010, ISBN 978-3-86931-555-3 (details).
Friedrich Rückert: Rostem and Suhrab. A hero story in 12 books. Reprint of the first edition. epubli, Berlin, 2010, ISBN 978-3-86931-571-3 (details).
Friedrich Rückert: Rostam and Sohrab . New edition. Epubli, 2010. ISBN 978-3-86931-684-0 (details).
Friedrich Rückert: Rostam and Sohrab . New edition of the e-book. Epubli, 2011. ISBN 978-3-86931-939-1 (details).
Vesta Sarkhosh Curtis. Persian myths . Reclam, Ditzingen, 1994. ISBN 3-15-010399-1 .
EW West. Pahlavi Texts. Translated by EW West . 5 volumes. Routledge Curzon, 1895-1910, 2004. ISBN 07007-1544-4 .
Geo Widengren : Iranian Spiritual World: From the Beginnings to Islam. Holle Verlag, Baden-Baden 1961
RC tens. Zurvan. A Zoroastrian dilemma . Biblo and Tannen, 1972. ISBN 0-8196-0280-9 .