Basic Information
Alternative names: See The Many Names and Meanings
Title/Epithet: Druj, the embodiment of deception, [9] The Daeva of Daevas [12]
Type/Species: Great Serpent
Slayer: Keresaspa
Origin: Iranian Mythology, Persian Mythology, Zoroastrian Mythology, Mazdaism Mythology
The Many Names and Meanings
Ahriman appeared across time periods and in many cultures, so he inherited many names and epithets. He also had connections to various mythological figures, including the Babylonian dragon Tiamat and Hittite dragon Illuyankas. [2,11]
The following names were used for Ahriman:
| Name | Language | Translation and Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agri-manios | Greek [9] | |
| Agro-manyus | Persian [16] | |
| Aharman | Persian [16] | Later name [9] |
| Ahriman | Modern Farsi [4] Middle Persian [4] Pahlavi dialect [9] |
'fiendish spirit' [11] |
| Ahrimanes | Persian | Later name [9] |
| Angra Mainyu | Avestan | 'destructive thought' [1] 'evil spirit' [4] |
| Angro Mainyus | Persian | 'angry spirit' [9] |
| Anro-mainyus | Persian [17] | |
| Areimanios | Greek [9] | |
| Arimanius | Greek [6,9] | |
| Drauga | Old Persian [9] | |
| Manyu | Persian | Later name [9] |
About Ahriman
According to the prophet Zoroaster (c. 628 - 551 BC), the founder of Zoroastrianism, [1] Ahriman existed in permanent opposition to Ahura Mazdah ('Wise Lord'), [3] the embodiment of creation and good. [1] Ahriman was a twin, either brother to Spenta Mainyu ('Holy Spirit'), or Vohu Mainyu (the spirit of 'right thought'). [3] Some sources claim he was twin to Ahura Mazda, also called Ormazd, himself. [2]
Ahriman inhabited the underground realm of the eternal darkness, [4] a place where all evildoers go after their own deaths, a parallel to the Christian Hell. [11]
He also lived in the north, the region of the daevas, for he was the chief of the daevas. [12] From his dwellings, he brought smoke, blackness, sickness, and death into the world. [4] The hero Keresaspa said that Ahriman's words deceived even the wind. [12]
Throughout his life, the great dragon Ahriman sought to destroy the faithful, and his most profound satisfaction derived from turning a mortal away from Ormazd. [9] His weapons of choice were lust and desire, through which he hoped to devour all, including his own creations. [11]
Thus, when the prophet Zoroaster was born, Ahriman tempted him to the works of evil. [10] When the prophet refused, he ordered legions of demons to attack, but Zoroaster scattered them. [12]
Some spheres venerated Ahriman as a deity, and members of his cult performed rituals that included the sacrifice of the animals he created. [5] Others acknowledged Ahriman as a deity of darkness but refused to worship him, for he lead forces against the hosts of the Spenta Mainyu ('Holy Spirit'). [11]
Denkard wrote that Zoroaster taught his followers to avert all ill things by sacrificing to Ahriman, but other sources stated that the Fravasis protected people from Ahriman and his evils. [12] The purifying fire in the Parsi temples provided protection from Ahriman and his forces, [7] waiting until his defeat at the end of time, for he will become powerless and sink into the darkness. [4]
Various Greek writers acknowledged him by the name Ariamnius. Plutarch (46 - 120 AD) said this dragon was the embodiment of Hades, invoked by Persian Magi. Herodotus (484 - 425 BC) wrote that he was the deity of the underworld kakodaimon. [6]
The Origins of Ahriman
The creation of Ahriman varies by source, and the origin stories changed over time, gradually becoming more if a spiritual allegory as the personification of evil tendencies within each person. Eventually, the concept of Ahriman as a physical entity dissipated completely. [12]
In an early version, the dragon simply rose from the abyss of endlessness. [9]
A later version arose after Zurvan Akarana entered into the cosmology. The primeval being Zurvan produced the duality of the world, [2] for in the beginning, he offered a gift. In this moment, his doubt generated Ahriman and his sacrifice, Ormazd; [7] thus, Zurvan conceived them together as twins, [2] Ormazd, embodying goodness, and Ahriman, personifying evil. [7] When he vowed that his firstborn would reign as king, Ahriman ripped open his mother's womb, so he would be born as the heir, leaving his brother as the second born. Zurvan declared that Ahriman would rule for nine thousand years; thereafter, his brother would reign. [11]
The Battle between Good and Evil
Ahriman played a central role in the battle between good and evil. In the Gathas, these two opposite, primeval choices drove the great drama that predominated humanity's destiny. [12] Zoroaster explained that the great serpent Ahriman was the evil force that opposed the good of Ormazd, [3] for he ruined plans for a paradise, creating monsters of every kind, including the dragon Azi Dahaka. [1]
Over time, the cosmological view of the world shifted, so later beliefs don't reflect this level of duality. [12] Instead, Ahriman lived as the personification of evil and its creator, the eternal destroyer of good, and the bringer of death and disease. [11] Ormazd and Ahriman fought the perpetual war between good and evil, [2] but the dragon was never a true antithesis to Ormazd. No symmetry existed between their physical creations, such as the animals and the monsters; eventually, Ahriman will cease while Ormazd will not. [12] This is because Ahriman constantly labored to destroy Ormazd's good work, but the dragon did not possess his brother's ingenuity. He existed to destroy and not to create. [8]
For every good thing Ormazd made, Ahriman attempted to poison it. [8] The chart below lists some examples.
| Ormazd | Ahriman |
|---|---|
| The brightness of day [8] | The dark of night [8] |
| Stars [11] | Planets [11] |
| The season of winter [1,8] | The harsh coldness of winter [1] |
| The season of summer [8] | The unbearable heat of summer [1] |
| The heavens [11] | Azi Dahaka [11] |
Table 1. The creations of Ormazd and Ahriman.
When Ormazd made seasons of pleasant warmth and coolness, [8] Ahriman added the harshness of winter and the cruelest summer heat, [1] rendering either time of year difficult to survive. [8] He also created a great lizard and set it to Vourukasha to destroy the Gaokerena Tree. [9] And when Ormazd created the heavens, Ahriman crafted and made Azi Dahaka,* who flew into the sky as a writhing snake. [11]
Ormazd created humanity, and the female fiend Jahi convinced Ahriman to pour poison over the body of the first human to spawn disease, sin, and misery. [9] In another version, the female counterpart of Ahriman, Az, manifested in Jeh, the accursed whore. She defiled men with her spirit and thereby brought fear, lust, greed, and jealously into the world. [11]
Ormazd responded to the dragon's evil works. He transformed illnesses into health and evil creatures into domesticated animals. [8] He also fought back at the beginning of creation, when he recited the Ahuna Vairya prayer, which caused Ahriman to flee as he recoiled from Mithra's mace. [12]
As Ahriman saw how much work was to be done, he created a host of demonic warriors to serve him in his battle to overcome the servants of good. [9] Among his many desires, he wanted to stop the waters from flowing and the plants from maturing on earth. [12] As the demon of all demons, the Karapans and the Kavis attended him, and the supernatural servants under his command included the Drugas, the Daevas, Pairikas, and the Yata. [9]
The Defeat of Ahriman
Ahriman's eventual defeat and destruction vary by source, though all agree that the dragon's demise will come.
In one version, at the moment of resurrection, he will be slain by Keresaspa on Mount Damavand [9] or annihilated.
In another, Ahriman will be led back through the hole where he first entered the world, [12] and Keresaspa will imprison him for eternity, [9] reducing him to complete incapacity. [12]
However the means, his disposal would bring about the removal of evil from the entire world. [9]
Physical Description
In some conceptions, Ahriman had no material existence, but he was able to manifest in various shapes, including a snake, fly, lizard, or human. [12] Alternatively, he could manifest himself as a lizard, snake, or a young man. [9]
Ahriman could also take the form of any of his own creations, including Azi Dahaka.* The forms of his creations were not their own, but borrowed for a limited time, for they will be annihilated in the millennium of Zoroaster. [12]
His symbol was the serpent. [4]
Quick Facts
- The dragon Ahriman rose from the abyss of endlessness. [9]
- Ahriman represented the evil forces of the world. [4]
- The prophet Zoroaster said that Ahriman existed in permanent opposition to Ahura Mazdah / Ormazd. [3]
- Ahriman had many names and epithets from the various cultures in which he appeared. [9]
- He lived underground in the realm of the eternal darkness. [4]
- He was the chief of all daevas. [12]
- He brought smoke, blackness, sickness, and death into the world. [4]
- He created legions of demonic warriors, including the Yata, the Drugas, Pairikas, and the rest of the Daevas. [9]
- Ahriman will be defeated. Either by the hero Keresaspa, [9] or by eternal imprisonment. [12]
- He could take the form of a serpent, lizard, or human. [9]
Related Articles
Term Reference
Footnotes
- Cotterell 56
- Cotterell 57
- Leeming 18
- Lurker 11
- Lurker 12
- Lurker 35
- National Geographic [Essential] 56
- National Geographic [Essential] 57
- Turner 53
- Turner 54
- Angra Mainyu entry in Encyclopedia Mythica
- Ahriman entry in Encyclopedia Iranica
- Turner 138
- Turner 370
- Turner 514
- Turner 27
- Turner 55
For more information on footnotes and references, please see the bibliography.
