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gods
Ahuramazda
is a wise master, ultimate God, absolute good, wisdom and recognition, the
creator of the Sun, stars, darkness and light, human beings and animals
and all mental and physical activities. Ahriman is an evil spirit, the
opposite of Ahuramazda who always tries to destroy the truth and world and
harms human beings and animals.
In this world, life
is a reflection of universal struggle between Ahuramazda and Ahriman. All
men must choose either of these too.
Anahita
is the goddess of all waters on the earth and the source of all oceans in
the universe. She is on a chariot being drawn by four horses: wind, rain,
cloud and hail. Because of Anahita?s connection with life, warriors ask
her to keep them alive and give them victory during wars.
Verethraghna
is the god of warriors and assaulters and is the source of victorious
power against demons. Ahuramazda advised Zoroaster to take a feather of
Verethraghna from a bird?s body while trapped in adversary?s magic.
Mithra
is the most famous ancient Iranian goddess. She was believed to watch
human beings and their actions, agreements and contracts. She led people
in the right path and protected them from attacks. She controlled the
order prevailing in the universe.
Vayuo
is the god of wind attacking evil spirits in supporting Ahuramazda?s good
creatures. He reigns between the realms of Ahuramazda and Ahriman, meaning
between light and darkness.
Tishtar
is the god of rain originating from Varukasha Sea
(Farakhkart) and distributing water among all countries.
Atar,
fire, is Ahuramazda?s son. People were expected to present meat to fire as
sacrifice while having a bunch of sacred plant called barsom in their
hands.
Hoom
is a god who presents health and power and blesses children and crops.
The Creation of Universe
Ancient Iranians
believed that everything was created in a specific order beginning with
heaven, water, earth, fire, human being, respectively. Some of the things
created first were very well respected like the Alborz, the first
mountain, Simorgh, the first bird, etc.
When the first sin
was committed, the whole creation was filled with corruption and decay and
replaced peace and order.
Demons & Evil Forces
Some evil forces
attack human bodies directly and some indirectly. Demons are false gods
and fairies are female evil spirits acting during nights. They all serve Ahriman.
Legendary Beings
Simorgh
nests on the tree of all seeds and disseminates seeds by flapping wings
all around the world.
Kar
is a fish that lives around the tree of all seeds and keeps all harmful
beings away from this tree.
Qoorbagheh,
frog, tries to chew the roots of this sacred tree.
Karshaptar
is a swift-winged bird that spreads Zoroaster?s words here and there.
Joghd,
owl, is a bird that casts away demons by uttering holy words.
Chamroosh,
a patriot bird, vanquishes lran?s adversaries and helps to spread the
seeds of the tree of all seeds.
There were also some
unpleasant creatures like rodents, lizards, turtles, spiders, bees, ants,
beetles, etc. There were some legendary monsters against whom human heroes
struggled. They were often in form of snakes or dragons the most
significant of whom was called Azhdihak, a three-headed monster
devouring human beings. It is called Zahak in Shahnameh.
The First Men & Heroes
Kyumars,
meaning mortal, is the first legendary man who is described as a handsome
and attractive man and as bright as the Sun. It is believed that he has
been born out of the earth.
Hooshang
is the first king founding the first legendary dynasty of Iran called
Pishdadian. He promotes civilization in the world, exploits iron, uses
ironsmith techniques, produces and uses tools and weapons, etc.
Jamshid
is the greatest hero who is introduced as the king of the whole world.
Everything is good during his ruling period.
Fereydoon,
another king, is always remembered for his struggle against Zahak. He does
not kill him, but imprisons him forever in the mount
Damavand.
Rostam
is one of the greatest mythical heroes in Shahnameh. He turns out to be
the symbol of physical as well as spiritual power and devotion for his
country. He is such a strong man who can defeat an elephant instantly by
his mace.
Rakhsh
is Rostam?s horse and the only horse whose belly does not reach the ground
when Rostam presses his hand on its back. So, it is chosen by him to be
his faithful servant. It passes through all hardship and battles along
with Rostam and eventually dies with him.
Sohrab
is Rostam?s son who grows up to be a strong brave young boy. His father,
who does not know his son before giving him the last deadly blow,
ultimately kills him.
Siavash
is a prince who learns all the techniques and skills of princedom from
Rostam. Since he refuses to answer positively to the temptations of his
father?s wife, his father wants him to pass through fire to prove his
innocence. This was a pre-Zoroastrianism tradition. At last, he becomes
the victim of Garsivaz? intrigues and is killed an innocent death.
Mythical
Creatures
In addition to
Rakhsh and Simorgh mentioned earlier, there are other mythical creatures
like:
White Demon
is an old demon imprisoning Kavoos, Iran?s king. After a lot of hard
struggle, Rostam succeeds to kill White Demon and free the king, Kavoos.
Akvan-e-Deav
is the most famous demon that attacks kings? herds. Rostam is called for
help and at last defeats it.
Ezhdeha,
dragon, is another legendary creature who fights against Rostam. A more
astonishing battle happens between dragon and Esfandyar, another legendary
hero. Esfandyar shatters its brain into pieces in the end.
Conclusion
Ancient Iranians?
legends and myths still continue in People?s beliefs in various ways. It
can be even traced in Iran?s
present adjacent countries.
In fact, the secret
of the survival of Iranian culture and language together with all rich
traditions and social concepts can be found out in keeping these legends
and myths directly or indirectly.
Written By: Rahman Mehraby |
