Persian Mythology, Gods and Goddesses
A Pictorial Research and Guide
by Ahreeman X
December 10, 2006

Part Two

Persian Goddesses

Ameh
Goddess of victory and Glory
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Allatum
Or Ellat, Goddess of the Underworld in early Iranian mythology (The Kingdom Era). She is believed to be of the Mesopotamian origin. When Mesopotamia (present Iraq) became a Khashtara (State) of Iran, then Allatum also entered our culture. Allatum was a Masculine Female Goddesses, an ancient feminist!
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Anahita
Goddess of Water. Also known as Ahurani (She who belongs to Ahura) or Anahita (Nahid in modern Persian). Anahita (meaning unstained, clean and innocent) is Goddess of water, fertility, greens and plants. According to some Ancient scriptures, roots of Anahita The great ancient Persian water goddess goes back to Pre Vedai Era. Anahita was an ancient Persian deity. Her following were strongest in Western Iran. She is the deification of the planet Venus. She is named the eternal virgin (however she had many sexual encounters), goddess of war, love, and fertility. In Modern Persian Nahid (Anahita) is the name of the planet Venus. Anahita is from the body of Venus. According to Persian Mythology, Anahita is the Immaculate Virgin Mother of Mitra. Christians basically borrowed their Holy Scriptures from Ancient Persian Mythology. Christians named "Anahita" as their Virgin Mary and they named "Mitra" as their Jesus Christ! The bases for the Christian Doctrine and writings in many versions of Bible, written by Christian Scholars and Saints has been practically borrowed (Stolen) material from Persian Mythology and Mithraism! The Anahita Temple at Kangavar in western Iran (Kermanshah) is the most important of The Anahita Temples.

Artaxerxes II, Shahanshah of Iran (left) is paying his respect to Anahita standing on Aryan Lion's back with Mitra (The Sun) behind her (404 BC - 359 BC).

Anahita and Mitra Banner

Anahita with Qoqnos (Phoenix) Bird.

Anahita Temple of Kangavar
Anahita Temple of Kangavar, Kermanshah is the largest Anahita Temple of Iran.

Official Inauguration of Bahram by Goddess Anahita
Anahita (right) grants the Ring of Power to Bahram Chubin Shahanshah of Persia (center).

Anaram
Goddess and guardian of 30th of each month
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Arishvang
Goddess and the guardian of wealth, economy and power
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Ashi
Goddess of happiness and fulfillness

Ashtad
Goddess of guiding people into good deeds
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Azarvan
Goddess of palm trees and the guardian of greenery
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Izha
The Indo-Iranian Goddess of the Sacrifice. Her name means "Offering".
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Drvaspa
The ancient Persian Goddess who protects cattle, children, and friendship. The fourteenth day of
the month is dedicated to her.
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Piti Ram
Goddess of Relaxation and peacefulness. Piti Ram has sexual and erotic aspects to her and her roots goes back to Vedai Era.
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Sepandar Maz
Lady Goddess and guardian of the Earth which brings fertility.
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Persian Arch-Angels and Angels (Amesha Spentas)

Amshaspanadan or Amesha Spentas are The Zoroastrian Arch-Angels. In Zoroastrianism, the name of the seven divine beings who belong to the retinue of the highest god (Ahura Mazda), The Amesha Spentas (beneficent immortals), comes directly after him, and can be compared with arch-angels. They are gods without being gods and creatures without being creatures. Ahura Mazda connects with the material world through Seven Emanations called Amesha Spentas. Zoroastrians do not worship them but worship through them to Ahura Mazda. Each Amesha Spenta has an Arch-Rival Daeva (Div) who battles them. Amesha Spentas are of 3 Angels (Females) and 4 Arch-Angels (Males) which makes 7. Number 7 is the holy Zoroastrian number. The Holy Seven Amesha Spentas are: Ameretat, Armaiti, Haurvatat, Sraosa, Arashtat, Khshathra Vairya, and Vohuman.

Ameretat
Angel (Female)
She is one of the Amesha Spentas, Ameretat meaning Immortal (not dying, living) is the personification of immortality. Ameretat associates with plants. She is the protector of plants. The fifth month is dedicated to her. Her eternal opponent is the Arch-Demon of aging, Zarich.

Armaiti
Angel (Female)
Meaning The Beneficent of Devotion, she is one of the great Amesha Spentas. Armaiti (Beneficent Devotion and Holy Serenity) is the personification of holy devotion, the daughter of the creator and represents righteous obedience. She is associated with the earth and in that capacity she is the goddess of fertility and the dead, who are buried in the earth. The fifth day of every month and the twelfth month of every year are dedicated to her. Her eternal opponent is the Arch-Demon of discontent, Nanqaithya.

Haurvatat
Angel (Female)
Meaning Wholeness and Integrity is one of the seven Amesha Spentas. She is the personification of perfection and is associated with water and life after death. She brings prosperity and health. The third month of the Zoroastrian calendar is dedicated to her. She is the eternal opponent of the Arch-Demoness of Hunger, Tawrich.

Sraosa
Arch-Angel (Male)
Or Spenta Mainyu (Holy Creative Spirit) is the great Amesha Spenta. He is the personification of obedience and the messenger of the great god Ahura Mazda. He associates with human beings. He also guides the souls of the deceased to find their way to the after-life. His symbolic animal is the Rooster, whose crowing will call the pious to their holy Aryan duties. The seventeenth day of the month is dedicated to Sraosa. His eternal rival is the Arch-Demon Aesma the Daeva.

Arashtat
Arch-Angel (Male)
Or Arash-Tat or Asha Vahishta (Truth and Justice) is The "excellent order" and personification of the 'best and real truth". He is the God of truth and the guardian of honesty. Arashtat protects the physical and moral order on the Earth. Arashtat associates with fire. He is the most prominent of the (male) Amesha Spentas and the principal adversary of the world of the demons. Arashtat and his scale spread justice around the globe. The second month of the calendar is dedicated to him. His eternal opponents are the Demoness of lie, Drug and the Arch-Demon of apostasy, Indra.

Khshathra Vairya
Arch-Angel (Male)
One of the Amesha Spentas, Khshathra Vairya (Desirable Dominion, Righteous Power) is the personification of desirable dominion and is associated with sky and metal. Even though he would rather defend the royalty, yet he is the protector of the poor. He enforces peace by using his various weapons. His attributes are the helmet, the shield and the spear. The sixth month of the calendar is dedicated to him. His eternal opponent is the Arch-Demon Saurva.

Vohuman
Arch-Angel (Male)
Vohu Manah or Vahuman (good sense) is one of the Amesha Spentas, and the personification of wisdom. He is the protector of the animals. Vohuman especially protects the cow. The Sacred Cow of Zoroastrians who feeds milk to the Aryans, labors their farms and assists with their agriculture. Vohuman takes the souls of the just to Paradise. The eleventh month is dedicated to him. His eternal opponent is the Arch-Demon Aka Manah.

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Faravashis (Foruhars)

Or Arda Fravash (Guardian Angels) are personal guardian angels. Every person is accompanied by a guardian angel, who acts as his or her guide through life. Ahura Mazda ordered Zarathushtra to call upon Faravashis for help as needed. Faravashis ultimately become one with people's souls in after life. They are the manifestation of Ahura's will. Faravashis are often represented as bird-like angel creatures. Faravashis' shapes are originated from Faravahar, the winged symbol of Zoroastrianism which itself represents a Dual Creature of half man (Ahura Mazda) and half beast (Ahreeman). In original Zoroastrian doctrine, Ahura Mazda and Ahreeman were two faces (sides) of one being.

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Persian Mythical Characters, Creatures and Plants

Camros
A bird creature from Persian mythology which collects the seeds of Gao-kerena, the Tree of Life. Camros brings those seeds to the God Tir (The Rain God) who mixes them with water. The mixture provides the people of Iran with life, but nothing is left for those who strive for the destruction of Iranians.
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Div
Div or Deeb or Deev are a Persian Mythical race of creatures basically living in North Iran's Caspian Sea Shores and Jungles. They have horns and are of monstrous looks and powers.

Div in Shahnameh
Rostam (Persian Hero) battles Foulad Zereh Div
Shahnameh (Book of Kings) is Master Abolqasem Ferdowsi Tusi's masterpiece.

L. Div in Shahnameh: Rostam battles Div-e Sepid (The White div).
R. Modern representation of Div

Gao-kerena
Tree of Life in ancient Persian mythology. The Tree of Life whose roots are situated in the middle of the world ocean Voura-kasa. The bird Camros perches in the top of this tree. The seeds of the tree can resurrect the dead and grant immortality to those who eat them. It is a very Valuable Tree.
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Homa
Mighty Mythical Persian Bird, carrier of Aryans. Later on Homa became the emblem of Iran Air.

Karshipta
A bird in Persian mythology which can speak. Karshipta was sent to spread the faith of Ahura Mazda to the men who were gathered to protect themselves from the harsh winter that was to destroy the mankind.
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Khara
A massive three-legged jack-ass which stands in the middle of the sea Vourukasha. The creature has nine mouths, one horn and six eyes: two are on the usual place, two are on top of its head, and two are in the hump. With the help of his sharp eyes he overcomes the evil and helps to order the globe.
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Paris (plural) - Pari (singular)
Paris or Peris according to ancient scriptures are Female mythical creatures. The Paris (Pari is singular and Paris are plural) are Persian spirits of great beauty who guide the mortals on their way to the Land of the Blessed. Paris also battle the Daevas. Paris are in addition, the messengers between gods and men.
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Persian Sphinx
Winged man-beast or Winged lion.

Qoqnos (Phoenix)
Or Qoqnus is a Mythical Persian version of Phoenix. A Bird which burns and then rises from the ashes of defeat to gain the glory of victory. Qoqnos never dies because when she is near death, then the bird will burn herself to once again arise from her own ashes on to her next life!

Qoqnos is caught so he burns himself to death; therefore, he can rise from the ashes (Suicide Rebirth)! No one could capture Qoqnos alive!

Simorq
Simorq (30 Birds) is a massive bird with the body of peacock, beast-like head and the sharp claws. Its natural habitat is a place with plenty of water. According to the legend, the creature is so old that it has seen the world destroyed three times over. In all that time, Simorq has learned so much that it is thought to possess the knowledge of all ages.

Anahita on Simorq's back, flies the skies of Persia.

Simorq carries baby Zal (Shahnameh)

Yima
The Persian version of Noah of Ark. Yima the Persian patriot was warned by Ahura Mazda about the coming of a disastrous winter. He was told to build a vara (enclosure) wherein he was to shelter himself and all living things man and beast. When the winter was over, Ahura Mazda sent the Karshipta bird to spread the good words. Do you see yet another Biblical borrow and adaptation by Christianity from Persian Texts?!

There are many other Persian Mythical creatures but above are the important ones.

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Persian Arch-Demons and Demonesses (Daevas and Drugs)

Persian Zoroastrian Mythology has seven demons who cause plagues and diseases and who fight every form of faith. Daevas are the male servants of Ahreeman The Dark Lord. Drugs are the female servants of Ahreeman. They fight Amesha Spentas. The term "Devil" and "Div" (Deev) are derived from Daeva. The Daevas and Drugs are of 2 Demonesses (Females) and 5 Demons (Males) which makes a total of 7. Number 7 is the holy Zoroastrian number. The seven Daevas and Drugs are: Aesma Daeva, Aka Manah, Indra, Nanqaithya, Saurva, Tawrich and Zarich.

Aesma Daeva
Demon (Male)
One of the Daevas, Aesma Daeva (Madness or Fury) is the demon of lust and anger, wrath and revenge. His wrath is mainly directed towards the cow. He is the personification of violence, a lover of conflict and war. Together with the demon of death, Asto Vidatu, he chases the souls of the deceased when they rise to heaven. He is rival to Sraosa.

Aka Manah
Demon (Male)
One of the Daevas. He is the personification of sensual desire. He came to tempt Zarathustra. His Arch-Rival is Vohuman.
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Indra
Demon (Male)
Indra is one of the seven Daevas and the personification of apostasy. Not to be confused with the Indira, The Aryan God of Thunder. His eternal Amesha Spenta enemy is Arashtat (Asha vahishta).
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Nanqaithya
Demon (Male)
He is the personification of discontentment. Her eternal opponent is Armaiti.

Saurva
Demon (Male)
He is one of the seven main Daevas. His eternal opponent is Khshathra Vairya.
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Tawrich
Demoness (Female)
The Drug Tawrich. She is the personification of hunger. She is obsessed with blood. Her eternal opponent is Haurvatat.

Tawrich and Ahreeman

Zarich
Demoness (Female)
Drug Zarich is one of the female members of the Daevas and Drugs. She is very masculine. She is the personification of aging. Her eternal opponent is Ameretat.

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Persian Minor Demons (Khord Daevas)

Apaosa
A demon who brings drought and aridity. He rides a black horse, symbol of darkness. At last, Tir had defeated Apaosa.
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Asto Vidatu
The Persian Demon of Death. No one escapes him.

Bushyasta
In Zoroastrian mythology, the yellow demon of lethargy and sloth. He is the evil genius which causes men to oversleep and to neglect their Holy duties. An ancient Persian demon of laziness who tries to prevent people from working. He is one of the Daevas.
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Dahaka
An ancient Persian God of Death and demon of deceit and mendacity. He loves destroying life. Dahaka is usually depicted with three heads, while scorpions and lizards crawl all over his body.

Gandarewa
A Persian water-demon who continually tries to devour the good things of creation.
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Azhi-Dahak
Azhi Dahak (Ezhdeha or Dragon) is a storm demon from Iranian mythology. He steals cattle and brings harm to humans. It is a snake-like reptile monster, sometimes portrayed with one or three heads and two or six eyes who also personifies the Babylonian oppression of Iran. The monster will be captured by the warrior God Thraetaona and placed on the mountain top Damavand. In a final revival of evil, it will escape its prison, but at the end of time (Fraso-Kereti) it will die in the river of fire Ayohsust. Azhi-Dahak also symbolically represents Astiak, the last Shah of Media overthrown by Cyrus The Great.

One Headed Azhi-Dahak

Traditional Persian Azhi-Dahak (Dragon)

Azhi-Dahak and Maiden

Three Headed Azhi-Dahak

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Persian Minor Demonesses (Khord Drugs)

Agas
The Evil Eye Demoness. Persian Demoness of illness. She personifies evil that is perceived or performed by the eye. Her name means "evil eye".

Drug
"The Drug" Demoness of Lies, is one of the most famous Drugs. She is the eternal enemy of Arashtat.

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At Last

I hope this research can help to quench and feed some of the never ending thirst for knowledge which you, the young generation and lovers of Iran may have. In the up coming days, we will have many more researches on Persian History, gathered, prepared and published for you.

Always remember,

"There are two types of people:
Those who are Persians,
And then
Those who want to be Persians!
It is Great to be Persian."

"How can you build your future if you do not know your past?"

"Regain your national identity to regain your Persianhood, so you can insure the survival of Iran."

Pure Persian Pride

Dr. X

Part One
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