Although there are two Avestan hymns dedicated to the Moon, he is not a prominent divinity. In both the third Nyaish as well as in the seventh Yasht, the 'moon' more commonly spoken of is the physical moon. In these hymns, the phases of the moon are described at length. Ahura Mazda is described to be the cause of the moon's waxing and waning, and the Amesha Spentas evenly distribute the light of the moon over the earth.[2] The Fravashis are said to be responsible for keeping the moon and stars on its appointed course.[3] The sun, moon, and stars revolve around the peak of Hara Berezaiti.[4]
The Moon is however also "bestower, radiant, glorious, possessed of water, possessed of warmth, possessed of knowledge, wealth, riches, discernment, weal, verdure, good, and the healing one".[5] "During the spring, the Moon causes plants to grow up out of the earth".[6]
The Moon is repeatedly spoken of as possessing the cithra[a] of the primeval bull. This is an allusion to a cosmological drama that is however only properly attested in the texts of Zoroastrian tradition (see below).
In tradition
Coinage of Kushan ruler Huvishka, with the Lunar deity Mah (Mao) on the reverse, 2nd century CE. The lunar crescent appears behind the shoulders.[7]
Herodotus states that the moon was the tutelary divinity of the Iranian expatriates residing in Asia Minor.[8] The divinity Mah appears together with Mithra on Kushan coins.
In the Zoroastrian calendar, the twelfth day of the month is dedicated to and is under the protection of the Moon.
The Moon plays a prominent role in Zoroastrian cosmogony, in particular as described in detail in the Bundahishn, a text finished in the 12th century. The legend runs as follows:[9]Ahriman (Av: Angra Mainyu) incites Jeh (Jahi) the primeval whore to kill the primordial bovine Gawiewdad (Av. Gavaevodata). Jeh does as told, but as the creature lies dying, the chihr[a] is rescued and placed in the care of the moon. This chihr is then the "prototype" (karb) of all creatures of the animal world.
In the hierarchy of yazatas, the Moon is the assistant (or 'cooperator', hamkar) of Vohu Manah (MP: Bahman), the Amesha Spenta of animal welfare, in particular of cattle. The identification with Vohu Manah - the hypostasis of "Good Purpose" or "Good Mind" - is reflected in other texts where the moon is associated with mental harmony and inner peace.[b]
^ abcThe precise meaning of the word cithra in this context is unknown. It is traditionally translated as "seed", which in the sense of "prototype" carries the connotation of a particular physical form or appearance. It can also mean "seed" in the sense of "race", "stock", or progeny.
^Mah is also the Persian language name of a species of fish, which gives rise to the Persian language expression, az mah ta mahi, "from the moon to the mah-fish", to mean "everything". That expression has its origin in Persian mythology, where the world is believed to sit on a rock, on the back of a bull, on a kamkam, on the back of the mah fish, on water, on wind, and on the veil of darkness.[citation needed] c.f. The Rubaiyat, Omar Khayyam,:[10]
Whose secret Presence, through Creation's veins
Running, Quicksilver-like eludes your pains:
Taking all shapes from Mah to Mahi; and
They change and perish all – but He remains;
References
Dhalla, M. N. (1938). The History of Zoroastrianism. New York: OUP. pp. 213–214.
Kreyenbroek, Philip G. (1993). "Cosmogony and Cosmology I: In Zoroastrianism". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Vol. 6. Costa Mesa: Mazda. pp. 303–307.
^Kanga, Kavasji Edalji (1909). An English-Avesta Dictionary (in Persian). Printed at the Fort Printing Press.
^Khayyam, Omar. The Rubaiyat. Translated by Fitzgerald, Edward. stanza 52.
January 08, 2023
other, uses, disambiguation, mångha, måŋha, avestan, moon, month, equivalent, persian, māh, ماه, persian, 𐎶𐎠𐏃, māha, name, lunar, deity, zoroastrianism, iranian, word, masculine, although, prominent, deity, avestan, scripture, crescent, important, symbol, roya. For other uses see Mah disambiguation Mangha maŋha is the Avestan for Moon month equivalent to Persian Mah ماه Old Persian 𐎶𐎠𐏃 maha It is the name of the lunar deity in Zoroastrianism The Iranian word is masculine 1 Although Mah is not a prominent deity in the Avestan scripture his crescent was an important symbol of royalty throughout the Parthian and Sassanid periods The Iranian word is cognate with the English moon from PIE mens Contents 1 Avesta 2 In tradition 3 See also 4 Footnotes 5 ReferencesAvesta Edit Persepolis mural The death of Gavaevodata Gawiewdad the primordial bovine whose cithra a is rescued by the moon Although there are two Avestan hymns dedicated to the Moon he is not a prominent divinity In both the third Nyaish as well as in the seventh Yasht the moon more commonly spoken of is the physical moon In these hymns the phases of the moon are described at length Ahura Mazda is described to be the cause of the moon s waxing and waning and the Amesha Spentas evenly distribute the light of the moon over the earth 2 The Fravashis are said to be responsible for keeping the moon and stars on its appointed course 3 The sun moon and stars revolve around the peak of Hara Berezaiti 4 The Moon is however also bestower radiant glorious possessed of water possessed of warmth possessed of knowledge wealth riches discernment weal verdure good and the healing one 5 During the spring the Moon causes plants to grow up out of the earth 6 The Moon is repeatedly spoken of as possessing the cithra a of the primeval bull This is an allusion to a cosmological drama that is however only properly attested in the texts of Zoroastrian tradition see below In tradition Edit Coinage of Kushan ruler Huvishka with the Lunar deity Mah Mao on the reverse 2nd century CE The lunar crescent appears behind the shoulders 7 Herodotus states that the moon was the tutelary divinity of the Iranian expatriates residing in Asia Minor 8 The divinity Mah appears together with Mithra on Kushan coins In the Zoroastrian calendar the twelfth day of the month is dedicated to and is under the protection of the Moon The Moon plays a prominent role in Zoroastrian cosmogony in particular as described in detail in the Bundahishn a text finished in the 12th century The legend runs as follows 9 Ahriman Av Angra Mainyu incites Jeh Jahi the primeval whore to kill the primordial bovine Gawiewdad Av Gavaevodata Jeh does as told but as the creature lies dying the chihr a is rescued and placed in the care of the moon This chihr is then the prototype karb of all creatures of the animal world In the hierarchy of yazatas the Moon is the assistant or cooperator hamkar of Vohu Manah MP Bahman the Amesha Spenta of animal welfare in particular of cattle The identification with Vohu Manah the hypostasis of Good Purpose or Good Mind is reflected in other texts where the moon is associated with mental harmony and inner peace b See also EditMen deity Footnotes Edit a b c The precise meaning of the word cithra in this context is unknown It is traditionally translated as seed which in the sense of prototype carries the connotation of a particular physical form or appearance It can also mean seed in the sense of race stock or progeny Mah is also the Persian language name of a species of fish which gives rise to the Persian language expression az mah ta mahi from the moon to the mah fish to mean everything That expression has its origin in Persian mythology where the world is believed to sit on a rock on the back of a bull on a kamkam on the back of the mah fish on water on wind and on the veil of darkness citation needed c f The Rubaiyat Omar Khayyam 10 Whose secret Presence through Creation s veins Running Quicksilver like eludes your pains Taking all shapes from Mah to Mahi and They change and perish all but He remains References EditDhalla M N 1938 The History of Zoroastrianism New York OUP pp 213 214 Kreyenbroek Philip G 1993 Cosmogony and Cosmology I In Zoroastrianism Encyclopaedia Iranica Vol 6 Costa Mesa Mazda pp 303 307 Kanga Kavasji Edalji 1909 An English Avesta Dictionary in Persian Printed at the Fort Printing Press Yasht 7 3 Nyaish 3 5 Yasht 13 14 16 Yasht 12 25 Dhalla 1938 p 214 Yasht 7 5 Nyaish 3 7 Yasht 7 4 Nyaish 3 6 Dani Ahmad Hasan Harmatta Janos 1999 History of Civilizations of Central Asia Motilal Banarsidass Publ pp 327 328 ISBN 978 81 208 1408 0 Herodotus Histories 7 3 7 Bundahishn 7 Khayyam Omar The Rubaiyat Translated by Fitzgerald Edward stanza 52 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mah amp oldid 1117027185, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
