Iranian Mythology
Written by Sean Michael Smith
Ahura Mazda: He was the supreme god of ancient Iran and Zoastrianism, the “Wise Lord.” He was regarded as the all encompassing sky. Until the time of the great reformer Zoroaster, who lived around 1200 B.C., the Iranians worshipped numerous gods. Zoroaster denounced the old gods and Ahura Mazda came to be regarded as the one true creator god who was constantly beleagured by Angra Mainyu, or Ahriman, the principle of evil. After creating the Amesa Spentas and Yazatas, Ahura Mazda made people, cattle, fire, earth, sky, water, and plants. Zoroaster taught that Ahura Mazda made light visible, so the god was often depicted as the sun. Sometimes, however, the sun and moon are described as Ahura Mazda's eyes. Using the purifying quality of fire, Ahura Mazda was able to distingish between good and evil, and he bestowed fire, the symbol of truth, to his followers. Under the Achaemenians, who ruled from 558-330 B.C., Ahura Mazda was adopted as the patron of the royal house and was represented as a pair of vast wings. In the centuries following Zoroaster, a movement known as Zurvanism developed. Both Ahura Mazda and Agra Mainyu came to be regarded as descendants of Zurvan Akarana, or “Infinite Time.” This helped to circumvent the problem of Ahura Mazda having created evil or, at least, having allowed it to exist. At the end of time, it was said that, "Ahura Mazda will reign and will do everything according to his pleasure."
Amesa Spentas: These were the holy imortals of Zoroastrainism. They probably belonged to the pantheon of ancient Iranian gods which existed before Zoroaster's time. It is possible that, although the religious reformer denounced the old gods, he assimilated the Amesa Spentas into his teachings as aspects of Ahura Mazda, the one and only true divine spirit set in opposition to Angra Mainyu, the spirit of evil. The Amesa Spentas were said to serve Ahura Mazda, the Supreme Lord. Otherwise known as Ameshas Spenta or Amshaspends, each of them ruled over a particular aspect of reality, such as a category of beings or a part of the year. Vohu Mano reigned over useful animals, including cattle. Asha-Vahista looked after cosmic fire; Khshathra-Vairya moved the sun and heavens and ruled over metals; Spenta Armati ruled over the earth; Haurvatat governed waters; and Ameretat governed plant life. Spenta Mainyu who rules over humanity is either numbered with the others or identified as a direct emanation of Ahura Mazda himself.
Anahita: This was the Iranian goddess of water and fertility, widely worshipped in Achamanian times (558-330 B.C.) and was often associated with the great god Mithra. In the fourth century B.C. the ruler Artaxerxes II ordered that images of Nahita should be erected in all the principal cities of the empire. Her following later spread throughout Asia Minor and the West. Anahita assisted Spenta Armati and was associated with Haoma, the god who conferred immortality. Occasionally identified with the planet Venus, she is said to have originated from Ishtar, the Babylonian fertility deity who is associated with the same planet. Her name means immaculate. Anahita was often represented dressed in gleaming gold with a crown and jewels. The dove and peacock were her sacred creatures, and sacred prostitution formed part of her cult.
Angelic Hierarchy, Angels, Angra Mainyu: Also known as Ahriman, this god was the principle of darkness and evil in ancient Iranian mythology, the equivalent of Lucifer in Christian doctrines. He was set in opposition to Ahura Mazda, the principle of goodness and truth. Ahura Mazda planned to make Iran into an Earthly Paradise, but Angra Mainyu interfered, creating harsh weather conditions, smoke, darkness, sickness, disease and all manner of other evils. His was a world of death in which summer lasted for only two months and winter for ten. Where people had faith, Angra Mainyu sowed the seeds of doubt, and where there were riches, he created laziness and poverty. Such was the extent of his evil doing that he was often accused of killing the sacred cosmic bull. His symbol was the snake.
In later times during the reign of the Sassanian kings (226-652 A.D.) the idea of Zurkan Akarana, or Infinite Time, developed. Both Angra Mainyu and Ahura Mazda were regarded as the offspring of Zurvan Akarana, who had promised authority to the first born. As a result Angra Mainyu tore his way out of the womb before his brother and held the reigns of power for several thousand years. However, later Zoroastrians believe that there will come a day when Ahura Mazda will succeed to power and Angra Mainyu will be destroyed, sinking into eternal darkness.
Atar: "Fire" was said to be the son of the Iranian deity Ahura Mazda, although fire worship probably existed long before the naming of the supreme being. According to the teachings of Zoroastrianism, fire was one of Ahura Mazda's seven creations. Atar, fire, was said to bring men comfort and wisdom, and defend the world from evil. It represented the light of truth and the divine spark in humankind, which signified the presence of the supreme god. The monstrous dragon, Azhi Dahaka. sought to extinguish the divine fire in battle, which took place over land, sea and air. Eventually Atar caught the dragon and chained it to a mountain.
Baraq: This was a fabulous beast of Islamic mythology. Part human, part animal, the Prophet Muhammad was said to have ridden on its back on the night of his ascension to heaven. The creature’s name means “Lightning.”
Daevas: These were gods of the Indo-Aryan period of ancient Iran. The religious reformer Zoroaster initially regarded them as unimportant, but he later came to view them as enemies of the true religion. Whereas the Drujs were usually female, most daevas were male. Angra Mainyu, or Ahriman, the principle of evil was said to rule over the demons. They specialized in trickery and deceit, and in putting obstacles in the way of efforts of achieving the good. Many of the daevas stood in direct opposition to one of the Amesa Spentas or “Holy Immortals.” One demon would lie in wait on the Chinvat Bridge, which souls had to cross in order to reach Ahura Mazda's paradise. If the creature caught them, he would throw them into the depths below. Another demon would attempt to persuade rulers to be tyrannical, and a third promoted pride and rebellion. Some demons brought about old age and senility, and others caused rage and devastation. In India however the daevas are regarded as devas, as gods and those beings living in many heavenly abodes.
Drujs: According to ancient Iranian mythology, Drujis were the enemies of the Asha, the universal law. The monstrous, demonic beings, usually female, made every effort to further the course of evil. The horrific dragon or snake Azhi Dahaka was one their number, as was Nasu, who was said to settle on dead bodies in the form of a fly with the intention of hastening their decay. The Druj Jahi was a symbol of the evil within women. Angra Mainyu, the principle of evil, kissed Jahi and thus introduced menstruation in women.
Fatima: The prophet Muhammad's daughter is regarded by Ismaili Sufis as the “the Mother of the Holy Imams.” The Imams are the semi-divine leaders of Shi'ia, one of the two main forms of Islam, of which the Ismailis form a sub-sect. Fatima is revered within esoteric Islam and is seen as symbolizing the "super celestial earth." She is considered the source of the Imam's wisdom because she is, according to the Quran, "the hidden tablet upon which God has written..."
Feridun: According to ancient Iranian mythology, Feridun was the hero destined to overthrow Zohak, the evil king sometimes regarded as the emanation of the terrifying monster Azhi Dahaka.
Fravashis: In the myths of ancient Iran they were the benevolent spirits, or guardian angels. They helped Ahura Mazda create the world and defended heaven from its enemies with their sharp spears while riding their fleet-footed steeds. They were believed to be the ancestral spirits of believers, a part of the human soul that Ahura Mazda had created before each individual's birth, and thus might be regarded as prototypes for living beings. Fravashi is usually translated as "She who was Chosen."
Gayomart: He was the primeval being of ancient Iranian mythology. His corpse, together with that of the primeval bull Geush Urvan, was said to have given rise to all life. According to tradition, Gayomart existed for 3000 years as a spirit until, in the second great epoch, he was made into a physical being by Ahura Mazda, the principle of goodness. He was killed by Angra Mainyu, the principle of evil. According to one myth, all the parts of the universe were created from his body; another tells how the the seed of gayomart was buried in the ground for 40 years, until it gave rise to the first human couple, mashya and Mashyoi, as well as the seven metals. Gayomart's name means “Mortal Life” or “Dying Life.”
Geush Urvan: The primordial bull of ancient Iranian mythology was created, along with primal man Gayomart, by Ahura Mazda, the essence of good. Angra Mainyu also killed Geush Urvan either directly, or by using an assassin god named Mithra. All kinds of plants and animals were said to emerge from his corpse. Widely regarded as guardian of cattle, his name means "soul of the cow." The sacrifice of a bull was an important part of Mithraic rituals.
Haoma: One of the helpers of Iranian mythology, and in Zoroastrainism, is comparable to the soma of India, a god and amrita sacrificed to the gods to receive empowerment, visions, and enlightenment. Haoma was able to heal all afflictions for the righteous believers in Ahura Mazda.
Houris: In Islamic, ancient Iranian and proto-Hebraic Kabiri culture, Houris are angelic women, similar to dakinis of Indian lore. They exist in the higher worlds, and in Islam all righteous people receive eternal sexual delight from 72 Houris in Paradise. They are beautiful with ever renewing virginity. In esoteric Islam the story of the 72 Houris is a secret way of conveying the older Hebrew teaching of the 72 Names of YHVH as well as encoding the 72 quinaries of the zodiacal wheel into the Qu'ran.
Hushedar: According to ancient Iranian mythology, he is a savior and a son of the Prophet Zoroaster. Hushedar would be succeeded every thousand years by other saviors, culminating in Saoshyant, who is expected to bring the universal judgment upon mankind. Eventually, after a final conflict between good and evil, the universe will be made pure again, and humanity will dwell in perfection with Ahura Mazda.
Keresaspa: From Iranian myth, he was a hero and killer of primeval monsters such as Gandarewa, a nasty water demon king who lived in streams and oceans. His hordes planned to populate the whole earth after eating the people and all good things. Keressaspa was the prophecied victor over the terrible dragon Azhi Dahaka. He battled and killed the great bird Kamak, whose wingspan would cover the sky.
Mithra: (Known in Indian mythology as Mitra). He was originally a god of contracts and friendships. In Iran he developed into the protector of truth. Before the time of Zoroaster, Mithra was equated with Ahura Mazda, the principle of good. Mithra was the light. He was believed to ride his golden chariot, the sun, across the sky, drawn by four white horses. He had 10,000 ears and eyes, possessed both strength and wisdom, and was renowned for his bravery in battle. He had the power to bless and make rain fall. Mithra had several Mystery Religions based upon his myth in which a bull would be sacrificed.
Rashnu: He was the personification of righteousness and judge over the dead in ancient Iranian mythology. When people died, he weighed their good and bad deeds with golden scales. The good went over the rainbow bridge to Ahura Mazda's Paradise to await the last judgment and battle between good and evil; however the wicked perceived the bridge as narrow and sharp, plunging headlong into demon infested depths in which they are perpetually torn apart until judgment day.
Saoshyant: This is the name of the final savior in Iranian mythology. His appearance will signal the arrival of the last days and the coming of frashkart, the final renewal. Saoshyant will be born of a pure woman, who will be impregnated by the preserved seed of Zoroaster while bathing in his sacred lake. According to one tradition, the cycle of the world is made up of four ages, each lasting 3000 years. The first 3000 year aeon was that of spiritual creation during which Ahura Mazda brought the good spirits and the Fravashis, the guardian angels, into being. In the second cycle of 3000 years, Ahura Mazda created the material world in which Angra Mainyu inroduced evil and destruction. The third cycle of 3000 years was that in which Good and Evil warred and struggled and many angels and demons came to earth. At the beginning of this age, the fourth cycle, Zoroaster appeared. This last age is that of Saoshyant, the savior who will appear in order to renew the world and resurrect the dead. A flood of molten metal will submerge and purify the whole planet, and Angra Mainyu will finally be destroyed. During the final renewal itself, the whole of humanity will be subjected to a burning torrent, which will cleanse them of all their evil ways and thus allow them to live in the presence of Ahura Mazda. Those who have lived blameless lives will feel the Holy Fire as a bath of warm medicinal milk while the wicked will be tormented. Saoshyant will sacrifice a bull and mix its fat with the magical elixir, Haoma, thereby creating a drink of immortality which he will give all humanity in its purified, perfected condition. Saoshyant was absorbed into the Shia Islam tradition of the ever returning Mahdi, the spiritual savior who comes at the end of each world Aeon.
Spenta Armaiti: She was one of the Amesa Spentas, or the Holy Immortals of ancient Iranian mythology. Like the Other Amesa Spentas, she is believed to have originated before the religious reforms of Zoroaster and to have been assimilated into the purified religion as an aspect of Ahura Mazda, the supreme being. Spenta Armaiti was the patroness of the earth, and symbolized submission and devotion. She was widely believed to be the spiritual mother of all human beings. People were taught to say, "My mother is Sendarmat, Archangel of the Earth and my father is Ohrmazd, the Lord Wisdom. Her name means wisdom and devotion and she is said to have created the first glorious humans from golden leaved plants.”
Sraosha: He was known as the Ear of Ahura Mazda, the principle of good in ancient Iranian mythology. He was one of the Yazatas or spiritual beings. As the Ear of the god, he was the means whereby worshippers could get their prayers to Ahura Mazda. During the night he guarded the whole of creation from demons.
Vohu Mano: This was one of the Amesa Spentas or Holy Immortals of ancient Iranian mythology. These divine beings were believed to people the universe and look after humanity. They are thought to have been worshipped before the time of Zoroaster. Vohu Mano was the Good Thought of Ahura Mazda. This Amensa Spenta delivered Zoroaster's spirit directly to Ahura Mazda, instantly bringing him enlightenment.
Yazatas: "Beings Worthy of Worship," these were the protective spirits of Zoroastrianism. Most of them were ancient Iranian gods who were incorporated into Zoroaster's reformed religion as helpers of the supreme being, Ahura Mazda. Some of the Yazatas corresponded to the stars and planets, others to the elements, while many embodied abstract concepts. Sometimes the celestial Yazatas were said to be led by Ahura Mazda and the terrestrial Yazatas by Zoroaster. They included in their number Rashnu and Sraosha.
Zoroaster: also called Zarathustra, was a great religious reformer of ancient Iran. He lived during 1200 BC. The compelling figure of Zoroaster gave rise to many myths. It was said that his birth was foretold from the beginning of time. The moment he was born he burst out laughing and the whole universe rejoiced with him. Although the evil demons, the Drujs, tried to destroy the child, he was protected by Ahura Mazda, the principle of good. When he reached the age of thirty, Zoroaster was given numerous revelations from the Amesa Spentas or Holy Immortals. Once armed with those spiritual insights, Zoroaster was able to resist the temptations of Angra Mainyu, the principle of darkness. Zoroaster denounced the worship of numerous gods, which until then had been prevalent in Iran and instead taught a faith focused on the battle between good and evil. The pattern of his religion was a formula for much of later Judaism and Christianity as well as Gnostic Manicheism.
Zurvan Akarana: This came to prominence in Iranian mythology as the Transcendent Being who gave rise to Ahura Mazda, the principle of good or light and Angra Mianyu, the darkness. This is the Gnostic unity hidden within Zoroastrianism, Zurvan Akarana meaning "Infinite Time."