Ahriman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ahriman |
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| Spirit of evil, chaos, destruction, daevas | |
The Middle Persian word ʾhlmn' (Ahreman) in Book Pahlavi script. The word is traditionally always written upside-down.
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| Affiliation | Zoroastrianism |
| Region | Greater Iran |
Angra Mainyu is an important figure in Zoroastrianism, an ancient religion from Persia (modern-day Iran). His name, from the Avestan language, means "destructive spirit" or "evil spirit." He is seen as the main enemy of Ahura Mazda, who is the highest god in Zoroastrianism and represents goodness.
In later texts, Angra Mainyu is often called Ahriman. He stands for chaos, destruction, and all things bad. He is believed to be the source of all evil in the world.
Contents
Angra Mainyu in Ancient Texts
Zoroaster's Teachings
The idea of angra mainyu likely came from Zoroaster himself, the founder of Zoroastrianism. In the oldest holy texts, called the Gathas, angra mainyu is not yet a proper name. It describes a "spirit" or "mind" that is "destructive" or "disorderly."
In these early writings, this destructive spirit is seen as the opposite of the "more giving spirit." Sometimes, it's called aka mainyu, meaning "evil spirit" or "evil thought." This is different from spenta mainyu, which is the "giving spirit" that helped Ahura Mazda create the world.
The daevas, who are seen as demons in later Zoroastrianism, are linked to this evil thinking. Zoroaster taught that daevas were "false gods" that people should reject.
Later Avestan Writings
In newer Zoroastrian texts, Angra Mainyu becomes a more defined evil being.
- He is put into a deep sleep by Ahura Mazda's powerful words.
- Angra Mainyu creates a monster called Aži Dahaka.
- He tries to stop the rains and dry up the earth, but good spirits prevent him.
- Angra Mainyu tries to tempt Zoroaster away from his good religion. He promises Zoroaster power over the world, but Zoroaster refuses.
- These texts say that Angra Mainyu will eventually be defeated. Ahura Mazda will win in the end.
Angra Mainyu and Spenta Mainyu (the good spirit) are sometimes shown battling for "divine glory" or "fortune." In some stories, Angra Mainyu creates bad things like winter, sickness, and evil to counter the good lands created by Ahura Mazda. Angra Mainyu is often described as living in a dark underworld or in the north, where the daevas live. He is seen as the chief of the daevas.
Ahriman in Zurvanite Zoroastrianism
Zurvanism was a different branch of Zoroastrianism. It tried to explain how good and evil came to be. In this belief, Ahura Mazda (Ohrmuzd) and Angra Mainyu (Ahriman) were seen as twin brothers. Ohrmuzd represented good, and Ahriman represented evil.
According to these stories, their father was Zurvan, a god of time. Zurvan wanted children who would create the world. He made a promise that the first twin to be born would rule. Ahriman, being sneaky, broke out of the womb first. So, Zurvan had to give Ahriman power, but only for a limited time (9,000 years). After that, Ohrmuzd would rule forever.
This story suggests that Ahriman chose to be evil, rather than being born evil. It also hints that Ahriman could create things, like the peacock. This is different from mainstream Zoroastrianism, where only Ahura Mazda is the true Creator.
Ahriman in Zoroastrian Tradition
In later Zoroastrian texts from the 9th to 12th centuries, Ahriman's name was often written upside down. This showed disrespect and disgust for him.
Some texts describe Ahriman as having "no reality" or that he "has never been and never will be." This means that evil is not a true, lasting force like good. It is something that will eventually be destroyed.
The Bundahishn, a book about creation, talks a lot about Ahriman.
- When Ahura Mazda creates life, Ahriman tries to ruin it.
- Ahriman realizes that Ohrmuzd is stronger than him. He creates many demons to fight against the good forces.
- The universe is divided between Ohrmuzd and his helpers (the yazads) and Ahriman and his demons (the devs).
- Ahriman kills the first bull, but its seed is saved. From this seed, all animals are created.
- Humans are caught in this battle. Their job is to fight evil with good thoughts, words, and actions.
Some stories say that the world was created by Ohrmuzd as a trap for Ahriman. Ahriman gets busy fighting in this world, using up his power in a battle he cannot win. Ahriman does not know everything, unlike Ohrmuzd.
Ahriman in Modern Zoroastrianism
In the 1800s, a scholar named Martin Haug suggested a new way to understand Zoroaster's original teachings. He believed that Zoroaster taught that there was only one God, Ahura Mazda. Haug thought that the idea of Angra Mainyu being an equal, separate evil spirit was a later change.
Haug argued that both Angra Mainyu and Spenta Mainyu (the good spirit) were created by Ahura Mazda. They were like two different sides of Ahura Mazda's power: one creative and one destructive.
This idea was popular with Zoroastrians in India (Parsis). At the time, Christian missionaries were criticizing Zoroastrianism for having two gods (dualism). Haug's idea made the religion seem more like other monotheistic religions.
Today, many Zoroastrians accept Haug's ideas. They believe that Angra Mainyu is not an equal god to Ahura Mazda. However, some scholars still think that the older idea of Angra Mainyu being completely separate from Ahura Mazda was correct.
See also
In Spanish: Angra Mainyu para niños
