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Iranian Religions: Zoroastrianism
ZOROASTRIAN CALENDAR
From ancient times the Iranians had a year of twelve months with thirty days each. The Zoroastrian calendar, created probably in the 38 century BCE, was distinctive simply through the pious dedication of each day and month to a divine Sprit.
The dedications are first through the innovation of the thirty calendar divinities in Y.16.3-6. Four days were devoted to "Dadvah (Creator) Ahura Mazda, probably as an estertic acknowledgment of Zurvan, who was worshipped as a quaternity. In later use the first of the four days is named for Ohrmazd, the other three for him as "Creator", Dai (Pahlavi for Dadvah).
The three 'Dai' days are distinctive by adding to each the name of the following day, e.g. Dai-by-(the day) - Adar. The forms of the calendar names in current use are close the Pahlavi ones.
The Twelve months also received dedications, which coincide with those of twelve of the days. The month names are first attested in Pahlavi.
Name of the Months (New-Persian):
- Farvadin
- Ordibehest
- Khordad
- Tir
- Amordad
- Shahrivar
- Mehr
- Aban
- Azar
-
Day
-
Bahman
-
Esfand
Name of the days:
|
Avestan |
Pahlavi (Middle-Persian) |
New-Persian |
English |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dadvah Ahura Mazda |
Ohrmazd |
Urmazd |
Creator Lord Mazda |
|
Vohu Manah |
Vahman |
Bahman |
Good Thought |
|
Asha Vahista |
Ardvahisht |
Ordibehesht |
Best Truth |
|
Khshatra Vairya |
Shahrevar |
Sharivar |
Desirable Dominion |
|
Spenta Armaiti |
Spendarmad |
Spandarmaz |
Holy Devotion |
|
Haurvatat |
Hordad |
Khordad |
Wholeness |
|
Amertat |
Amurdad |
Amordad |
Immortality |
|
Dadvah Ahura Mazda |
Dai-pad-Adar |
Day-be-Azar |
Creator |
|
Atar |
Adar |
Azar |
Fire |
|
Apo |
Aban |
Aban |
Waters |
|
Hvar Khshaeta |
Khvarshed |
Khur/Khir |
Sun |
|
Mah |
Mah |
Mah |
Moon |
|
Tishtrya |
Tir |
Tir |
Rain Star |
|
Gaush Urvan |
Gosh |
Gush?Gaush |
Existance |
|
Dadvah Ahra Mazda |
Dai-Pad-Mihr |
Day-be-Mehr |
Creator |
|
Mithra |
Mihr |
Mehr |
Contract, Love |
|
Sraosha |
Srosh |
Sorush |
Hearkening |
| Rashnu | Rashn | Rashn | Judustice |
| Fravashyo | Fravardin | Farvardin | Progress force |
| Verthraghna | Vrahram | Vrahram | Victory |
| Raman | Ram | Ram | Peace, Happiness |
| Vata | Vad | Bad | Wind |
| Davah Ahura Mazda | Dai-pad-Din | Day-be-Din | Creator |
|
Daena |
Din |
Din |
Inside Vision |
|
Ashi |
Ard |
Ard (Ashi) |
Recompense |
| Arshtat | Ashtat | Eshtad | Justice, Truth |
| Asman | Asman | Asman | Sky |
| Zam | Zamyad | Zamyad | Earth |
| Mantra Spenda | Mahraspand | Mantraspand | Holy Word |
| Anagranam Raochangha | Angran | Anaram | Endless Light |
|
|
|
"History is the Light on the Path to Future" |
|
Encyclopaedia Iranica
The British Institute of Persian Studies "Persepolis Reconstructed"
The British Museum
The Royal Asiatic Society
|
