''Mångha'' (') is the

Avestan Avestan (), or historically Zend, is an umbrella term for two Old Iranian languages: Old Avestan (spoken in the 2nd millennium BCE) and Younger Avestan (spoken in the 1st millennium BCE). They are known only from their conjoined use as the scrip ...

for " Moon, month", equivalent to Persian ''Māh'' (;

Old Persian Old Persian is one of the two directly attested Old Iranian languages (the other being Avestan language, Avestan) and is the ancestor of Middle Persian (the language of Sasanian Empire). Like other Old Iranian languages, it was known to its native ...

). It is the name of the lunar deity in Zoroastrianism. The Iranian word is masculine. Although Mah is not a prominent deity in the Avestan scripture, his crescent was an important symbol of royalty throughout the

Parthian Parthian may be: Historical * A demonym "of Parthia", a region of north-eastern of Greater Iran * Parthian Empire (247 BC – 224 AD) * Parthian language, a now-extinct Middle Iranian language * Parthian shot, an archery skill famously employed by ...

and Sassanid periods. The Iranian word is cognate with the English ''moon'', from PIE '' *mēns''

Avesta

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 Ahura Mazda (; ae, , translit=Ahura Mazdā; ), also known as Oromasdes, Ohrmazd, Ahuramazda, Hoormazd, Hormazd, Hormaz and Hurmuz, is the creator deity in Zoroastrianism. He is the first and most frequently invoked spirit in the ''Yasna''. ...

is described to be the cause of the moon's waxing and waning, and the

Amesha Spenta In Zoroastrianism, the Amesha Spenta ( ae, , Aməša Spəṇta—literally "Immortal (which is) holy/bounteous/furthering") are a class of seven divine entities emanating from Ahura Mazda, the highest divinity of the religion. Later Middle Persian ...

s evenly distribute the light of the moon over the earth. The Fravashis are said to be responsible for keeping the moon and stars on its appointed course. The sun, moon, and stars revolve around the peak of Hara Berezaiti. 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". "During the spring, the Moon causes plants to grow up out of the earth". The Moon is repeatedly spoken of as possessing the ' 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

Herodotus states that the moon was the tutelary divinity of the Iranian expatriates residing in Asia Minor. The divinity Mah appears together with Mithra on

Kushan The Kushan Empire ( grc, Βασιλεία Κοσσανῶν; xbc, Κυϸανο, ; sa, कुषाण वंश; Brahmi: , '; BHS: ; xpr, 𐭊𐭅𐭔𐭍 𐭇𐭔𐭕𐭓, ; zh, 貴霜 ) was a syncretic empire, formed by the Yuezhi, i ...

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:''Bundahishn'' 7 Ahriman (Av: Angra Mainyu) incites Jeh (

Jahi Jahi is the Avestan language name of Zoroastrianism's demoness of "lasciviousness." As a hypostatic entity, Jahi is variously interpreted as "hussy," "rake," " libertine," "courtesan" and "one who leads a licentious life." Her standard epithet ...

) the primeval whore to kill the primordial bovine Gawiewdad (Av. Gavaevodata). Jeh does as told, but as the creature lies dying, the ''chihr'' 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 ''yazata''s, the Moon is the assistant (or 'cooperator', ''hamkar'') of Vohu Manah (MP: Bahman), the

of animal welfare, in particular of cattle. The identification with Vohu Manah - the

hypostasis Hypostasis, hypostatic, or hypostatization (hypostatisation; from the Ancient Greek , "under state") may refer to: * Hypostasis (philosophy and religion), the essence or underlying reality ** Hypostasis (linguistics), personification of entities ...

of "Good Purpose" or "Good Mind" - is reflected in other texts where the moon is associated with mental harmony and

inner peace Inner peace (or peace of mind) refers to a deliberate state of psychological or spiritual calm despite the potential presence of stressors. Being "at peace" is considered by many to be healthy (homeostasis) and the opposite of being stressed or an ...

Footnotes

References

* * {{Zoroastrian Calendar Yazatas Lunar gods

Avesta

In tradition

See also

Footnotes

References