Persian mythology

Persian mythology is a rich collection of beliefs and deities that shaped the spirituality of ancient Persia. Among the most important figures are Ahura Mazda, the supreme deity representing wisdom and goodness, and Ahriman, the personification of evil and darkness. This mythology also features numerous lower-level deities, such as Mithra, the god of justice, and Anahita, the goddess of fertility. An interesting aspect is the dualism between good and evil, which reflects the eternal struggle between Ahura Mazda and Ahriman. The world of Persian mythology is rich in extraordinary figures and myths that have had a significant impact on the culture and religion of the region.

Gods

Abudad - a god in the form of a tree.

Abraxas - in Iranian mythology, a deity identified with Mithra, an intermediary between Ahriman and Ormuzd; according to the Gnostics, the Supreme Being ruling over 365 spirits or emanations belonging to particular days of the year; A deity depicted as a fantastic being, half-human - half-animal; A kabbalistic word engraved on metals and precious stones worn as talismans.

Ahura-Mazda, Armazd, Ormuzd - "The Wise Lord"; the supreme deity of the Persians, representing heaven, "the Omniscient Lord." God of good spells, clarity, goodness, protector of warriors, and creator of the world. He was the embodiment of wisdom, truth, knowledge, fertility, and goodness. His adversary (created by himself) was Angra Mainyu (Ahriman), the god of darkness and sterility. Life was depicted as a struggle between them. In the 7th or 6th century BC, the prophet Zoroaster, founder of Zoroastrianism, proclaimed that only Ahura Mazda was worthy of absolute worship. Ahura Mazda was the essential element of benevolent nature, the creator of heaven and earth, the source of law and morality, and the supreme judge of the universe. His descendants include Gajomart, the forefather of mankind.

Arsztat - a deity personifying sincerity and honesty in thoughts, words and deeds.

Ahriman, Ariman, Ahraman, Dahak, Ahriman – from the Old Iranian Angra Mainyu – "Evil Spirit," "Spirit of Destruction"; the Persian Prince of Evil, god of evil and darkness, lies and destruction, evil spells and black magic; the leader of Evil dwelling in a dark, stinking abyss; the prototype of the Christian Satan. According to Zarathustra, who was tempted by Ahriman but emerged victorious, it was Ahriman who brought death to the earth, killing the prototype of man and animals. In Mazdaism (Zoroastrianism), he was the personification of evil, darkness, and lies; in the dualistic conception of that religion, the enemy of the Spenta Mainyu (i.e., the "Creator Spirit"), an emanation of Ahura Mazda. Angra Mainyu wages an eternal battle with him, the goal of which is to destroy the world. To aid him, he created an army of demons (devas), including envy, jealousy, hatred, greed, etc., including planets – the main source of failure and ill fate. In later sources, Angra Mainyu's opponent is Ahura Mazda himself. However, Angra Mainyu lacks creative power, and at the end of the history of the struggle between good and evil, he will suffer ultimate defeat. In the times before the Sassanid dynasty, Ahriman was not considered a completely evil spirit. Mazdaian magicians offered him sacrifices. Ahriman is equal in power to his twin spirit, Ahura Mazda, but, according to Zarathustra's prophecy, he will ultimately be defeated by the "omniscient lord of heaven and earth." The Manichaeans claimed that "matter" is the source and essence of Ahriman, emerging from the Kingdom of Darkness along with demons, fire, smoke, unfavorable weather, and women. Ahriman, according to Manichaeism, created both Adam and Eve.

Atar - god personifying fire, considered an incarnation of Ahura Mazda, then considered his son.

Baal - god of storms and rain, son of Dagan.

Bahman - in Persian mythology, the good god of justice, peace and divine wisdom, created by Ahura Mazda.

Bahram - Ardibehesht's assistant, fights against evil forces.

Bel - god of summer.

Bhaga - the one who divides and gives everyone what is due to them.

Dagon - an agrarian deity, giver of grain, inventor of the plow and cultivation of the land.

Ea - deity of water, wisdom, magic and medicine.

Yazatas, Yazatas - lower-order deities resembling angels, constituting the closest entourage of Ahuramazda.

Jazdan - the supreme deity of light and goodness.

Mithra - "Contract." An Indo-Iranian sun god, considered one of the yazats. A protector of rulers and warriors, praised in the Rigveda and particularly revered in Iran. The sun god, protector of rulers and warriors, as well as justice. As a god of war, he rode in a golden chariot drawn by four horses to combat demons and their supporters. He was the guardian of order and truth. Myths attribute many extraordinary deeds to him, including the taming and killing of the primordial bull—the first creature on Earth. He was also popular in Persia during the Sassanid dynasty (3rd–7th centuries), when Zoroastrianism was the state religion. In the first century, the cult of Mithra began to spread in Rome. The theme of Mithra killing the bull became widespread in art (cult reliefs in mithraea).

Rapithwina – god of summer and warmth. Rapithwina ruled the earth year-round until the arrival of the demon of winter, when he retreated underground to keep the underground waters warm. He returned with the departure of winter and its demon.

Tishtrya – the rain god. According to one account, he took the form of a white horse to fight Apache. After three days of struggle, Apache was victorious, and drought began to plague the land. Tishtrya appealed to the supreme god Ahura Mazda for help. Ahura Mazda granted him the strength needed to defeat Apache, thus ensuring the return of rain to the earth.

Vayu - Persian and Vedic god of air and wind.