Tishtrya: The Star-Yazata of Rain
Tishtrya, the Zoroastrian star-yazata of rain (the star Sirius), who battles Apaosha the demon of drought to free the waters, honoured at the Tiregan festival.
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Verethragna (Bahram): The Yazata of Victory
Verethragna, or Bahram, the Zoroastrian yazata of victory: his ten dazzling incarnations, his ancient Indo-Iranian roots, and the Atash Bahram fire of victory.
Read article →The Faravahar: The Winged Symbol of Zoroastrianism
The Faravahar, the winged-disc symbol of Zoroastrianism: its ancient origins, its contested meanings, and its modern revival as an emblem of Iranic identity.
Read article →Bizhan and Manizheh: The Great Love Story of the Shahnameh
Bizhan and Manizheh, the great love story of the Shahnameh: an Iranian hero, a Turanian princess, a pit-prison, and the daring rescue led by Rostam.
Read article →Esfandiyar: The Invulnerable Prince of the Shahnameh
Esfandiyar, the invulnerable prince of the Shahnameh and champion of Zoroaster's faith, doomed by his father's broken promise to a fatal duel with Rostam.
Read article →Kay Khosrow: The Ideal King of the Shahnameh
Kay Khosrow, the ideal just king of the Shahnameh, son of Siyavash, who avenged his father, won the great war against Turan, then vanished into the mountains.
Read article →Siyavash: The Pure Prince and Martyr of the Shahnameh
Siyavash, the pure prince of the Shahnameh who rode unharmed through fire yet was betrayed and martyred in exile, his spilled blood giving rise to a flower.
Read article →Sohrab: The Tragic Son of Rostam in the Shahnameh
Sohrab, the tragic son of the hero Rostam in the Shahnameh, slain unknowing by his own father in single combat: the most heartbreaking tale of Iranic epic.
Read article →The Amesha Spentas: The Bounteous Immortals of Ahura Mazda
The Amesha Spentas, the seven Bounteous Immortals of Zoroastrianism: the holy emanations of Ahura Mazda through whom the Wise Lord created and governs the world.
Read article →Ahriman: The Destructive Spirit of Iranic Myth
Ahriman, or Angra Mainyu, is the destructive spirit of Zoroastrianism, the cosmic adversary of Ahura Mazda and the dark power behind the serpent-tyrant Zahhak.
Read article →Ahura Mazda: The Wise Lord of the Iranic World
Ahura Mazda, the Wise Lord, is the supreme God of Zoroastrianism, creator of all good and foe of Ahriman, with deep echoes in the Kurdish and Yazidi worlds.
Read article →Zoroaster: The Prophet of the Wise Lord and His Kurdish Revival
Zoroaster, or Zarathustra, the ancient Iranic prophet who taught the Wise Lord Ahura Mazda and the struggle of good and evil, and whose faith Kurds are reviving today.
Read article →Anahita: The Iranic Goddess of the Waters and Sovereignty
Anahita is the great Iranic goddess of the waters, fertility and sovereignty, worshipped beside Mithra and echoed in the sacred springs of Kurdistan. Explore the legend.
Read article →Mithra: The Ancient Iranic God of the Sun and the Covenant
Mithra, or Mehr, is the ancient Iranic god of covenant, light and the sun, honoured at Mehrgan and Yalda and echoed in Kurdish sun-reverence. Explore the legend.
Read article →Zal: The White-Haired Hero Raised by the Simurgh
Zal is the white-haired hero of the Shahnameh, abandoned at birth and raised by the Simurgh, who became the father of Rostam. Discover the Iranic legend.
Read article →The Shahnameh: The Book of Kings Behind Kurdish and Iranic Myth
The Shahnameh, Ferdowsi's Book of Kings, is the great Iranic epic behind Zahhak, Kawa, Faridun and Rostam. Discover the poem and its Kurdish inheritance.
Read article →Jamshid: The Golden King Whose Fall Made Way for Zahhak
Jamshid is the golden king of Iranic myth whose long reign founded the arts of civilization and the first Newroz, until pride cost him the farr and raised Zahhak.
Read article →Dewreshe Evdi: A Kurdish Epic of Love, War and Loyalty
Dewreshe Evdi is the Kurdish epic of the warrior Dewresh, his horse Hadban and a tragic love barred by faith, sung by the dengbej. Discover the legend.
Read article →Faridun: The King Who Chained the Serpent-Tyrant
Faridun is the Iranic hero-king who, with Kawa the Blacksmith, overthrew the tyrant Zahhak and chained him beneath Mount Damavand. Discover the legend.
Read article →Rostam: The Greatest Hero of the Shahnameh
Rostam is the mightiest hero of the Shahnameh: champion of the Seven Labours, the tragic father of Sohrab, saved and aided by the Simurgh. Discover Rostam.
Read article →The Simurgh: The Great Healing Bird of Iranic Myth
The Simurgh is the great benevolent bird of Iranic mythology, who raised Zal and healed Rostam in the Shahnameh and embodies wisdom and healing. Discover the Simurgh.
Read article →The Dengbej: Keepers of the Kurdish Voice and Memory
The dengbej are the Kurdish bards who carry the epics, laments and memory of their people in song. Discover the voice-tellers at the heart of Kurdish culture.
Read article →Beyta Dimdim: The Kurdish Epic of the Last Stand at Dimdim
Beyta Dimdim is the Kurdish national epic of Khan Lepzerin's last stand at Dimdim Castle against Shah Abbas, second only to Mem u Zin. Discover the epic.
Read article →Zembilfiros: The Basket-Seller of Kurdish Legend
Zembilfiros, the basket-seller, is the Kurdish legend of a prince who gave up power for piety and died rather than betray his faith. Discover the tale.
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