Spiritual
Beings 
Zoroastrianism recognizes
various classes of spiritual beings besides the Supreme Being (Ahura
Mazda): The Amesha Spentas, Yazatas, and Fravashis. In practice, Zoroastrians
pick a patron angel for their protection, and throughout their lives
are careful to observe prayers dedicated to that angel.
Amesha Spentas
Zarathushtra tells us that
Ahura Mazda created everything based on the six Amesha Spentas, which
are in fact divine emanations or aspects of the creator. These are:
1. Vohu Mano –
The spirit of the Good Mind
2. Asha – The spirit of Truth and Right
3. Khshatra – The spirit of Holy sovereignty
4. Spenta Armaiti – The spirit of Benevolent Devotion and Love
5. Haurvatat – The spirit of Perfection and Well-Being
6. Ameretat – The spirit of Immortality.
According to Zarathushtra not only the universe was created on the basis
of these six, but also they permeate every aspect of creation including
ourselves.
Arda Fravash
Also known as Arda Fravash ("Holy Guardian Angels"). Each
person is accompanied by a guardian angel (Y26.4, 55.1), which acts
as a guide throughout life. They originally patrolled the boundaries
of the ramparts of heaven (Bd6.3, Zs5.2), but volunteer to descend to
earth to stand by individuals to the end of their days. Ahura Mazda
advises Zarathushtra to invoke them for help whenever he finds himself
in danger . If not for their guardianship, animals and people could
not have continued to exist, because the wicked Druj would have destroyed
them all.
The Fravashi also serves as an ideal which the soul has to strive for
and emulate, and ultimately becomes one with after death.
They manifest the energy of God, and preserve order in the creation.
They are said to fly like winged birds, and are represented by a winged
disk, often with a person superimposed (as in the above representation).
Yazatas
Lit. 'adorable ones', a created
spiritual being, worthy of being honored or praised. Like the Amesha
Spentas they personify abstract ideas and virtues, or concrete objects
of nature. The Yazatas are ever trying to help people, and protect us
from evil. See below for some specifics of the more important Yazatas.
LIST OF YAZATAS:
Aban: See Aredvi Sura Anahita.
Ahurani:
Female Yazads presiding over water
Airyaman: Yazad of friendship and healing. (Indo-Iranian
in origin)
Akhshti: Yazad personifying peace
Anaghra Raocha (Phl. Anagran): Yazad of the 'endless
light' (Var. Aneran)
Apam Napat: Yazad of waters (Indo-Iranian in origin).
aka Ahura Berezant (Phl. Burz Yazad)
Aredvi Sura Anahita: lit. 'strong, immaculate Anahita',
female Yazad personifying water. She resides in the starry regions (cf.
Yt5.85, 88, 132). Her hymn is preserved in Yasht 5. Also known as Aban
Yazad. (Var: Arduisur)
Arshtat (Phl. Ashtad):
Female Yazad personifying rectitude or justice
Ashi Vanghuhi (Phl. Ard): lit. 'good blessings, rewards',
female Yazad presiding over blessings (Var: 'Ashishwangh, Arshishwang'
)
Asman: Yazad presiding over the sky.
Atar (Phl. Adar): lit. fire; yazad presiding over fire.
He is referred to as 'the Son of Ahura Mazda' in the Avesta. (Var: Pah.
'atash, atesh, adur', Av. 'Atar')
Chisti (or Chista): Female Yazad personifying religious
wisdom. Her name probably means 'Instruction'. Also known as Razishta
Chista ('Most Upright Chista')
Daena (Phl Den): Female Yazad presiding over the religion,
also, Inner Self or Conscience.
Dahm (Phl.): Yazad honored on the fourth day after
death
Dahma Afriti (Dahman Afrin): embodiment of power of
benediction
Damoish Upamana: Yazad personifying anathema
Drvaspa: Female Yazad personifying cattle
Erethe: Female Yazad personifying truth
Gaw (Phl.): Yazad personifying cattle.
Geush Urvan (Phl. Goshorun): lit. 'the soul of the cow (or
settlement)'. Personification of animal life
Gowad: See Vayu.
Haoma (Phl. Hom): Yazad presiding over the haoma plant, which
has medicinal and spiritual properties. (Indo-Iranian in origin)
Haptoiringa: A star Yazad, associated with Ursa Major.
Havani (Phl. Hawan): Yazad presiding over the second watch
(gah) of each day (sunrise to midday, i.e., 12 noon).
Hvare-khshaeta (Phl. Khwarshed): lit. 'the shining sun', the
Yazad presiding over the Sun (var. Parsi Pers. Khorshed)
Khwarenah (Phl. khwarrah, farrah): Yazad presiding over Divine
Grace or Fortune.
Maonghah (Phl Mah): Yazad presiding over the Moon.
Manthra Spenta (Phl. Mahraspand): lit. 'Holy Word', Yazad who
embodies the Holy Word
Mithra (Phl. Mihr): Yazad presiding over the contract, personification
of light. (Indo-Iranian in origin)
Nairyosangha (Phl. Neryosang): Yazad who acts as messenger
of Ahura Mazda, associated with prayer. (Indo-Iranian in origin)
Paoiryaenis: Star Yazad associated with the Pleiades.
Parendi: Female Yazad of 'Abundance' or 'Plenitude'. (Indo-Iranian
in origin)
Paurwanya: Star Yazad associated with a constellation of uncertain
identity.
Raman (Phl. Ram): Yazad presiding over Joy or Felicity
Rapithwin: Yazad presiding over the period of the day (gah)
from noon to mid-afternoon
Rasanstat: Female Yazad personifying truth
Rashnu (Phl. Rashn): Yazad of Justice
Rata: Female Yazad (Indo-Iranian in origin) personifying charity
Satavaesa: A star Yazad, perhaps of Fomalhaut
Sraosha (Phl. Srosh): lit. 'Hearkening'; a spirit being who
guards the soul for three days after death
Tishtrya (Phl. Tishtar, Tir): Yazad presiding over the star
Sirius. Tishtrya also directs the rain.
Tishtryaeinis: Star Yazad associated with Canis Minor.
Upa-paoiri: 41 Arietis
Ushah: Female Yazad of the dawn (Indo-Iranian in origin)
Ushahin: Yazad presiding over the first watch (gah) of each
day (from midnight to daybreak).
Uzerin: Yazad presiding over the fourth watch (gah) of each
day (from 3 p.m. to sunset).
Vanant: Star Yazad, associated with Vega.
Vayu (Phl. Wad): Yazad personifying the wind or atmosphere
(Var. Gowad, Govad) (Indo-Iranian in origin)
Verethraghna (Phl. Warharan): lit. 'victory', Yazad personifying
victory (Var: Pers. Bahram, Behram.) (Indo-Iranian in origin)
Visya: Yazad associated with the settlement, invoked along
with
Savanghi
Zamyat (Zam): Female Yazad presiding over the earth
Zantuma: Yazad presiding over the tribe.
Other spiritual beings, not classified with the above:
Thwasha:
Personification of 'Infinite Space'
Zrvan Akarana:
Personification of 'Boundless Time'
Back
to Main Page
Back
to top |