The Khandans: The Sacred Lineages of the Yarsani
The Khandans of the Yarsani faith: the sacred hereditary lineages founded by Sultan Sahak, each led by a Sayyed, that organise the People of Truth and guide every believer.
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The archive
The Farr: The Divine Glory of Kings
The farr in Iranian tradition: the divine royal glory that rests on the just king and abandons the tyrant, the central idea of kingship in the Shahnameh.
Read article →Sekandar: The Alexander of the Shahnameh
Sekandar in the Shahnameh: the Persianized Alexander, made a son of Darab, world-conqueror and seeker of the Water of Life, whose reign closes the legendary age.
Read article →Dara: The Last King of the Legendary Age
Dara in the Shahnameh: the last king of the legendary Kayanian line, half-brother of Alexander, betrayed by his own ministers and mourned by the conqueror who defeated him.
Read article →Darab: The Foundling King
Darab in the Shahnameh: the foundling son of Queen Homay raised by a fuller, who recovered his throne and, in the epic, fathered both Dara and Alexander the Great.
Read article →The Chinvat Bridge: The Crossing of Souls
The Chinvat Bridge in Zoroastrian belief: the bridge of judgment every soul must cross after death, widening for the righteous and narrowing for the wicked.
Read article →Homay: The Queen Who Ruled Iran
Homay in the Shahnameh: the rare reigning queen of Iran, daughter of Bahman, who ruled with justice for years and set her infant son Darab adrift to keep her throne.
Read article →The Yazidi Pilgrimage to Lalish
The Yazidi pilgrimage to Lalish: the sacred journey every Yazidi hopes to make once in life, with its barefoot rites, the Silat bridge, the White Spring and Sheikh Adi's tomb.
Read article →Bahman: The Avenger King of Iran
Bahman in the Shahnameh: the son of Esfandiyar who became king of Iran, avenged his father by destroying the house of Rostam, and fathered the line of Darab.
Read article →Katayun: The Queen Who Chose for Love
Katayun in the Shahnameh: the princess of Rum who chose Goshtasp for love, became queen of Iran and mother of Esfandiyar, and pleaded in vain against his fatal duel.
Read article →Zarir: The Martyr-Hero of the Holy War
Zarir in the Shahnameh and the ancient Memorial of Zarer: the gallant brother of Goshtasp, commander of Iran, martyred in the holy war for the faith of Zoroaster.
Read article →The Kaka'i: The People of Truth in Iraq
The Kaka'i of Iraq: the Iraqi-Kurdish branch of the Yarsani faith, the People of Truth, their beliefs of brotherhood, their secrecy born of persecution, and their endurance.
Read article →Bahram: The Loyal Paladin and the Lost Whip
Bahram in the Shahnameh: the loyal paladin son of Gudarz, who tried to save the prince Forud and met a tragic death returning for his lost whip on the battlefield.
Read article →Goshtasp: The King Who Embraced the Prophet
Goshtasp in the Shahnameh: the king who became the royal patron of the prophet Zoroaster, father of Esfandiyar, whose broken promises doomed his own son.
Read article →Lohrasp: The King Before the Prophet
Lohrasp in the Shahnameh: the king chosen by Kay Khosrow as his heir, father of Goshtasp, builder of the sacred fire, who died defending Balkh against the Turanians.
Read article →Fariburz: The Prince Who Sought the Throne
Fariburz in the Shahnameh: the prince son of Kay Kavus and rival claimant to Kay Khosrow, who failed the test of the demon-fortress and became a loyal champion of Iran.
Read article →The Feqir: The Ascetics of the Yazidi Faith
The Feqir of the Yazidi faith: the devoted ascetics who wear the sacred black khirqa in imitation of Sheikh Adi, keep the great fasts, and serve at the holy valley of Lalish.
Read article →Dunaduni: Reincarnation and Divine Manifestation in the Yarsani Faith
Dunaduni and mazhariyat in the Yarsani faith: the transmigration of the soul through a thousand and one lives, and the successive manifestations of the Divine Essence in human form.
Read article →Gostaham: The Sharpshooter of the Shahnameh
Gostaham in the Shahnameh: the sharpshooter paladin son of King Nowzar and brother of Tus, hero of the Twelve Combats and loyal champion of the House of Nowzar.
Read article →Kurdish Creation Myths: The Origin Legends of the Kurds
Kurdish creation myths and origin legends: Melik Kurdim and Mount Judi, the flight to the mountains, and the ancient stories the Kurds have told of how their people began.
Read article →The Tawusgeran: The Parading of the Peacock
The Tawusgeran, the Yazidi Parading of the Peacock: the sacred sinjaq images of Tawuse Melek carried by the Qewwals in procession through the Yazidi villages.
Read article →Faramarz: The Son of Rostam
Faramarz in the Shahnameh: the heroic son of Rostam, conqueror of India, avenger of his father's death, and the last great heir of the House of Nariman.
Read article →Tus: The Proud Paladin of the Shahnameh
Tus in the Shahnameh: the proud paladin son of King Nowzar, bearer of the Kaviani banner and commander of Iran, whose rashness brought the tragedy of Forud.
Read article →Cejna Ezi: The Yazidi Feast of Ezi
The Cejna Ezi, the Yazidi Feast of Ezi: the great winter-solstice festival of light honoring Sultan Ezi, preceded by the obligatory three-day Rojiyen Ezi fast.
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