Khshathra Vairya: The Desirable Dominion
Khshathra Vairya in Zoroastrian myth: the holy immortal of desirable dominion and righteous power, the divine strength of Ahura Mazda's kingdom, who presides over metals and the sky.
Read article →Kurdish History Journal
Kurdish Art and Culture
Articles filed under Kurdish Art and Culture.
Vohu Manah: The Good Mind of the Wise Lord
Vohu Manah in Zoroastrian myth: the holy immortal of the good mind, the divine wisdom that guided Zoroaster to Ahura Mazda, presides over the animal creation, and opposes the evil mind.
Read article →Spenta Armaiti: Holy Devotion and the Earth
Spenta Armaiti in Zoroastrian myth: the holy immortal of devotion and the earth, daughter of Ahura Mazda, mother of the bountiful earth and its fruitfulness, guardian of piety and the faithful.
Read article →Mah: The Moon and the Keeper of the Seed
Mah in Zoroastrian myth: the divinity of the Moon, in whose light the seed of the slain Primordial Ox was purified to bring forth the animals and plants of the world.
Read article →Asha Vahishta: Truth and the Order of the Cosmos
Asha Vahishta in Zoroastrian myth: the holy immortal of truth, righteousness, and cosmic order, the keystone of the faith, who presides over the sacred fire and opposes the lie.
Read article →Vayu: The Divinity of the Wind and the Two Natures
Vayu in Zoroastrian myth: the dual-natured divinity of the wind and atmosphere, the good Vayu of the upper air who aids the creation and the dreaded aspect of death, a complex and ancient figure.
Read article →The Fravashis: The Guardian Spirits of the Soul
The Fravashis in Zoroastrian myth: the pre-existent guardian spirits and ideal selves of the righteous, who guide the living, are honoured as the dead, and help uphold the cosmos against evil.
Read article →The Saoshyant: The Future Savior of the World
The Saoshyant in Zoroastrian myth: the future world-savior, Astvat-ereta, born of Zoroaster's preserved seed, who will raise the dead and bring about the final renovation of the world.
Read article →Daena: Conscience and the Maiden of the Soul
Daena in Zoroastrian myth: the personification of conscience and religion, the maiden who meets the soul at the Chinvat Bridge as the embodiment of one's own deeds, fair to the righteous and hideous to the wicked.
Read article →Ashi: The Yazata of Reward and Fortune
Ashi in Zoroastrian myth: the yazata of reward, recompense, and good fortune, daughter of Ahura Mazda, who bestows blessings on the righteous and drives the chariot of Mithra.
Read article →The Primordial Ox and the Soul of the Ox
The Primordial Ox and Geush Urvan in Zoroastrian myth: the uniquely-created bovine slain at the dawn of creation, from whose body came the animals and plants, and whose soul lamented the world.
Read article →Faridun Tests His Sons: The Dragon and the Naming
Faridun tests his three sons in the Shahnameh: the dragon-trial by which the king judged their characters and gave them their names, Salm, Tur, and Iraj.
Read article →Mardas: The Pious Father of the Tyrant
Mardas in the Shahnameh: the pious and just king, father of the tyrant Zahhak, betrayed through the plot of the evil spirit so that his corrupt son could seize the throne.
Read article →Siamak: The First Death in the World
Siamak in the Shahnameh: the beloved son of the first king Kayumars, slain by the Black Div, whose death is the first in the world and the first grief, avenged by his son Hushang.
Read article →Kay Qobad: The First King of the Kayanians
Kay Qobad in the Shahnameh: the founder of the Kayanian dynasty, the reclusive prince of Mount Alborz brought to the throne by Rostam to restore Iran after the fall of Nowzar.
Read article →Zav: The Just King of the Troubled Age
Zav in the Shahnameh: the aged and just king of the Pishdadian line, chosen after Nowzar's fall, who restored order and made peace with Afrasiab during a time of war and famine.
Read article →Nariman: The Forefather of the House of Heroes
Nariman in the Shahnameh: the great hero and forefather of the House of Nariman, son of Garshasp, father of Sam, and ancestor of Zal and the mighty Rostam.
Read article →Mehrab Kaboli: The King of Kabul and Grandfather of Rostam
Mehrab Kaboli in the Shahnameh: the wise king of Kabul, descended from Zahhak, father of Rudaba and grandfather of the great hero Rostam.
Read article →Abtin: The Noble Father of Faridun
Abtin in the Shahnameh: the noble father of Faridun, a descendant of the ancient kings slain by the tyrant Zahhak, whose death set his son on the path to free the world.
Read article →Faranak: The Mother Who Saved Faridun
Faranak in the Shahnameh: the brave and devoted mother of Faridun, who saved her infant son from the tyrant Zahhak and raised the hero who would free the world.
Read article →Arnavaz and Shahrnaz: The Princesses Freed from Zahhak
Arnavaz and Shahrnaz in the Shahnameh: the princesses of Jamshid's house, seized by the tyrant Zahhak and freed by Faridun, who became the mothers of Salm, Tur, and Iraj.
Read article →Kahram: The Commander Who Sacked Balkh
Kahram in the Shahnameh: the Turanian commander and son of Arjasp who led the army that took Balkh, killed the aged Lohrasp, and was slain by Esfandiyar.
Read article →Peshotan: The Righteous Immortal Prince
Peshotan in the Shahnameh and Zoroastrian tradition: the righteous brother of Esfandiyar and son of Goshtasp, one of the deathless immortals who awaits the renovation of the world.
Read article →Jamasp: The Sage Who Foretold the Future
Jamasp in the Shahnameh: the wise grand vizier and astrologer of King Goshtasp, who read the horoscopes and foretold the deaths of Zarir and the tragic Esfandiyar.
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