Apaosha

Apaosha is the Avestan name of Zoroastrian demon of drought.

Like all other Daevas ( Zoroastrian demons ) also Apaosha is the adversary of a particular Yazatas, in this case of Tishtyra, Deputy rain. Both in the Avesta as well as in the texts of Zoroastrian tradition (8th- 10th century) Apaosha is represented as a bald, black Ross, from the heliacal rising ( rising at sunrise ) of the constellation Sirius (Av. Tishtrya ) the rainy season seeks to prevent. In the tradition (but indicated in the Avesta only ), the upcoming season change than are an annual 40 -day-long battle between the black Ross ( Apaosha ) and white mold ( Tishtrya ) described.

The tradition after a similar struggle in the winter takes place; in this attempt Apaosha (as frost) the thaw of the earth to prevent. Also, this tradition is related to the rising of the dog star, here the akronychischer Sunrise ( Sunrise at sunset ), the. 2,500 years ago at 21-26 December took place (see Cambridge History of Iran, Vol II, p 787). Up today is the 5th Gahambarfest - one of the seven holiest days in the Zoroastrian calendar - held on 21 December. In Islamic Iran the 5th Gahambarfest was reinterpreted as hard on the winter solstice.

Like all conflicts between good and evil, is also the between Apaosha and Tishtrya the end of time ( Frashokereti, the 'Final Renewal " ) will be resolved in favor of the good, and Apaosha shall become final subject to the Tishtyra.

The 40 Days of taking place in the summer of struggle correspond to the 30 dog days of the Roman- European tradition. To similar mythological- astrological links such as those between Sirius / Tishtrya and water / fertility see Sirius in Sumer and Mesopotamia, as well as Sirius in Egypt. An influence of these cultures on the Zoroastrian - Iranian culture (especially in astrological calendar issues ) is generally believed.

In today's Islamic Iran is the ancient tradition of hard summer and winter days in heavily modified form and with Sufi interpretation. Only the name of these periods - Chelleh " forty " - still has the pre-Islamic tradition, however neither of the two periods is still perceived as a 40 - day. A touch Zoroastrian tradition was revived in the Iranian calendar from 1925, the month, " Tir " ( Avestan Tishtrya ) is again in July-August, so again in about the dog days accordingly. The winter period have also been tied to the solar events, beginning on the night of the winter solstice (that is understood by the general Iranian population as such ), and heralded by a feast of but is still known as Shab -e Chelleh "Night of the forty ( days) ".

  • Zoroastrianism
  • Shape Iranian mythology
  • Demon
  • Festivals and Customs on the season
Avestan language Iranian calendars
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