Pis gozlari chikhardib ovujuna salasan." Besuzad dar atash-e-taiz The symbolism, is that Zoroastrians are ever vigilant against evil and seek to walk the path of Asha or goodness. On concluding the bath, the person will say their kusti prayers (unless, the nahan is being performed before an initiation or navjote ceremony), clothe themselves and come out of the bath. The rite was later pre-empted for initiation into the priesthood, or for attaining higher statuses within it. The Zoroastrian religious sphere is dominated by the hereditary priesthood responsible for performing the rituals commissioned by the laity, called the Behdins ('of the good faith'). 15 terms. According to Zoroastrian tradition, Zoroaster had a divine vision of a supreme being while partaking in a pagan purification rite at age 30. The achu michu is a ritual that performed by Indian Zoroastrians to remove the evil eye and any evil lurking around a person. The following notes on Na gadar ki, san varsan - dada, bala javansan" All traditional Zoroastrian temples, also know as agiaries or "places of fire," include a holy fire to represent the goodness and purity toward which all should strive. While the items used in the achu michu (coconuts, betel leaves and nuts) have been adapted from Hindu customs and have no explicit support or justification in Zoroastrianism, the ritual itself is likely a version of the espand ritual adapted after the Parsi migration to India. Take out evil eyes and put them in the palm." "Uzarliksan havasan, min bir darda davasan. Another vendor told Jean and Arzu that he takes a small handful of uzarlik and salt which he circles around a person's head three times saying: Because the ritual lasts nine nights, it is known as Barashnm n shaba or "Barashnm of the nine nights". The person being celebrated receives a sudreh (undergarment) and a kutsi (string) which they wear their whole lives. Buscarel, the French ambassador to Persia in 1289 so recounts having to pass through a purification fire. After the last achu michu action, the recipients may choose to touch the officiating woman's feet as a gesture of thanks, humility and respect. In Azerbaijan, black cumin (gara chorakotu) is also used in a manner similar to espand / uzarlik. This practice is popular among the Zoroastrians of Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan and indeed for the rest of the mainly Muslim population in these countries. How is Zoroastrianism practiced? A comprehensive site on the web is: Erowid. [1] Also see details on the Bareshnum ceremony by a Zoroastrian senior Priest and scholar Dr Ervad Ramiyar Karanjia [2] Contents The first thing that happens however, is the signing of the marriage contract by the bride, groom, and their parents. This practice is popular among the Zoroastrians of Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan and indeed for the rest of the mainly Muslim population in these countries. In Zoroastrianism, water ( apo, aban) and fire ( atar, azar) are agents of ritual purity, and the associated purification ceremonies are considered the basis of ritual life. They cover their mouths to prevent their breath from reaching the flame. The first time the initiate undertakes the bareshnum, he does so to cleanse himself. The coming of spring brings hope for a future and enduring renovation of the world cleansed of all evil and one which will be accompanied by a resurrection of righteous souls. While Ahura Mazda is generally viewed as a god without form and a being of entirely spiritual energy rather than physical existence, he has at times been equated with the sun, and certainly, the imagery associated with him remains very fire-oriented. It is not uncommon for the officiating woman to crack her knuckles on the side of her head to mark the end of the process to extricate evil. Chahar Shanbeh means Wednesday and suri means red, ruddy or glowing. The seed produces a red dye that has also been used to alleviate the symptoms of certain skin diseases, skin cancer and subcutaneous cancers. The person performing the espand on someone is called the espandi and espandis can be found selling their services on the street to passers who feel the need to have the effects of the eye evil removed. The Farsi (Tajik) version is: The closing of the ritual includes the woman performing the achu michu places a piece of rock crystal in the mouth of the recipient, in a sub-ritual called mithu-moonu or mouth sweetening to encourage sweet talk. Seven is an auspicious number in Zoroastrian tradition and several items of significance in Zoroastrianism are grouped in sevens. With King Naqshband's blessings / command The coconut must be cracked open - and never used again - after all it is taking all the druj (evil, wickedness, deceit and lies) from the person over whose head it is waved around seven times." The stems of the plant contain about 0.36% alkaloids, the leaves about 0.52%,the roots up to 2.5% and the seeds around 6%. abustos1. Zoroastrianism is arguably the world's oldest monotheistic religion. As a popular rite nowadays, often only one representative fire is lit with celebrants taking turns leaping over the fire. gomez or taro Fire is also prominent in Zoroastrian eschatologywhen all souls will be submitted to fire and molten metal to purify them of wickedness. On occasion, the priest ladles powdered incense on the fire. In other contexts of the faith, when Zoroastrianism and death are spoken of, believers must avoid defilement or any contact with dead matter. Padyab is the washing of ones body parts, nahn is the washing of the entire body (bath), and bareshnum which is a complicated ritual involving a dog whose left ear you touch and gaze that puts pirits to fight that can last several days. Then its effect will be even stronger." [Shirinmai Mistry adds a humorous note: "The last action is with water in the ses (sace) of course but there are rice grains in it too and that is the one which gets disposed off on both sides (left and right) of the feet of the person being welcomed. Shirinmai Mistry informed this author that she believes the woman performing the ritual is one, "Closest to the child, i.e. He was a priest from ancient Persia, who claimed to receive revelation from Ahura Mazda. Biography of Zarathustra, Founder of Zoroastrianism, The Five Element Symbols of Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Spirit. Asgarov added "You burn uzarlik and then inhale the scent. The second cleansing is on behalf (niyat) of the person in whose memory he is becoming a priest. Fire is incorporated into a number of Zoroastrian rituals. The officiating woman removes an egg from the sace, holds the egg in her right hand supported at the elbow with her left hand. The ritual itself can be performed at the door before guests enter a home to celebrate or participate in an event that has religious significance or within the home in a designated spot cleaned and readied for the occasion. This relationship transmits the beliefs that underlie ritual practices to the Zoroastrian participants in terms of THE FUNDAMENTAL TENETS OF ZOROASTRIANISM. This relationship transmits the beliefs that underlie ritual practices to the Zoroastrian participants in terms of THE FUNDAMENTAL TENETS OF ZOROASTRIANISM. Other properties include effectiveness against protozoans and malaria, and the ability to expel parasitic worms including tape worms. Catherine Beyer is a practicing Wiccan who has taught religion in at Lakeland College in Wisconsin as well as humanities and Western culture at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. Espand commonly refers to the dried seed of Peganum harmala, a perennial herb shrub from the Zygophyllaceae or Caltrop family, sometimes mistakenly called wild or Syrian rue. In the case of the navjote and wedding ceremonies it is performed after the nahan or ritual bath and immediately before a person enters the sacred space in which the ceremony is to be performed. Updated on April 23, 2019. The rituals arise from the cosmic and ethical dualism of good and evil, purity and pollution, upon which Zoroastrianism is based. There are three types of purification, in order of increasing importance: the padyab, or ablution; the nahn, or bath; and the bareshnum, a complicated ritual performed at special places with the participation of a dogwhose left ear is touched by the candidate and whose gaze puts the evil spirits to flightand lasting several days. Blog A person who wishes another ill, is jealous, envious, or angry towards another person, is said to have the evil eye. Prayers are primarily invocational, calling upon and celebrating Ahura Mazda and his good essence that runs through all things. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The person performing the espand on someone is called the espandi and espandis can be found selling their services on the street to passers who feel the need to have the effects of the eye evil removed. In addition, the Younger Avesta comprises devotional texts recited by both priest and lay members of the community, male and female alike. which conception see Apam Napat). Zoroaster had a divine vision of a supreme being while partaking in a pagan purification . While the items used in the achu michu (coconuts, betel leaves and nuts) have been adapted from Hindu customs and have no explicit support or justification in Zoroastrianism, the ritual itself is likely a version of the espand ritual adapted after the Parsi migration to India. She then circles her hand and egg around the heads of the receiver six times in a clockwise motion, and once in an anti-clockwise motion, for a total of seven circles after which she breaks the egg is then broken on the ground, or on a stone tile, symbolically destroying any collected evil, or as some believe - the evil eye. Beyer, Catherine. However, many Turks adopted the area's Zoroastrian or Aryan customs and traditions) presented the delegation with iron (which we wonder had any significance with the tradition noted above of souls passing through molten metal) and then performed a cleansing ritual to ward off evil, the significance of which completely eludes Menander. The ritual starts with woman performing the achu michu and the recipient or recipients standing in front of one another either at the doorway or on a spot such a low stool called a patlo or yet an area decorated with chalk designs called rangoli. https://www.learnreligions.com/purity-and-fire-in-zoroastrianism-95754 (accessed November 10, 2022). When nirang-taro is not available, pomegranate juice can be used as a substitute. Alternatively, the two hug each other. They also sit on a white sheet spread on the floor. 26 terms. It centers on the words of the prophet Zarathushtra, called Zoroaster by the ancient Greeks, and focuses worship upon Ahura Mazda, the Lord of Wisdom. purification rituals There are three purification rituals in Zoroastrianism; padyab, nahn, and bareshnum. The priest will have added to the nirang, a pinch of the bhasam or the consecrated ash from a fire at the fire-temple. the mother, at the time of the navjote/besna ceremony or the prospective mother/s-in-law at the time of the wedding" and further that the woman should be married and not a widow. abustos1. The achu michu is a ritual that performed by Indian Zoroastrians to remove the evil eye and any evil lurking around a person. The Zoroastrian guiding principle of moderation in lifestyle choices applies. Espand grows in the arid regions Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan and India (where it is called harmal or harmala) to a height of thirty to sixty centimetres (one to two feet). Perhaps the leaping over the fires at Chahar Shanbeh Suri is not just cleansing but an expression of the hope that the celebrant's soul will survive the ordeal of fire. While the nahan or ritual bath, is a physical and spiritual cleansing ritual, the achu michu removes and protects the person against evil and the evil eye. Cleansing is conceived as a cosmic and individual activity is an essential element in Zoroastrianism, which teaches that the assault of the Evil Spirit, Angra Mainyu (see ahriman), brings defilement on all the good creations of Ahura Mazd and that they, in their struggle for salvation, must ceaselessly strive to rid themselves of it. Eyes of friends, eyes of enemies Eyes of none, eyes of relatives The Khizi mountains are located a few hours' distance north of Baku on the road to Guba. When tending to the fire, a cloth known as a padan is worn over the mouth and nose so that breath and saliva do not pollute the fire. With some families, the achu michu can be found being performed by the eldest woman of a family before a ceremony such as a navjote, wedding or jashan ceremony. While strange today, thousands of years ago, the practice was an effective control against the spread of disease and saved lives. Zoroastrians are focused on keeping their mind, body, and environment pure to defeat evil (Angra Mainyu). The concept of the evil eye and removing the effect of the evil eye has no discernable foundation in Zoroastrianism other than the determination to combat evil in all its forms at all times. It also acknowledges two competing principles representing good and evil: Spenta Mainyu . On the basis of the documentation and analysis it is suggested that these rituals replicate the universal struggle between good and evil. Nasu (Also; Druj Nasu, Nasa, Nas, Nasu) is the Avestan name of the female Zoroastrian demon of corpse matter.She resides in the north (Vendidad. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. A mixture of crushed espand seeds, honey, wine, chicken gall, saffron and fennel juice, is said to help strengthen weak vision. Barakati Shah Naqshband As the esfand burns, it pops and crackles producing an aromatic smoke that adds to the mystique. The evil eye can have negative consequences for the target of the ill feelings and there are rituals to remove the ill effects of the evil eye. The officiating woman applies a tila mark (long for a man and round for a woman) of kunkun on the forehead of the recipient and presses rice in the palm of her hand on to the wet tila paste, to which the rice adheres. Disciplinary perspectives include, among other things, anthropology, history, religious studies, art and aesthetics, cognition, classical studies, archaeology, and philosophy: in other words, a rich diversity of humanistic and scientific perspectives. Those who partake of the espand ritual, attest to its efficacy especially during times of sorrow or depression, when it lightens the heart, raises the spirit and produces feelings of well-being, contentment and confidence. Espand stop (band) evil (bla or balla) They then ran around the baggage beating a drum, ringing a bell carrying leaves (likely a descriptive error) of burning incense flaming and crackling (this sounds entirely like burning esfand - see above). Anti-cancer and anti-tumour properties are reported including cytotoxicity to HL60 and K562 leukemia cell lines. Elsewhere Carpini notes (as chronicled by Henry Yule who translated the travellogue of Marco Polo) "To be brief, they believe that by fire all things are purified. Chashm-e-adam-e bad andaysh As the esfand burns, it pops and crackles producing an aromatic smoke that adds to the mystique. And then a sombre note: "The cracking of knuckles (together with the motion of the hand of the Northwest of Iran in the country of Azerbaijan, the land of the eternal fires, espand is called uzarlik. Even though some may relegate the concept to superstition, the various rituals to remove the evil eye add interest and tradition to the ceremonies of which they are a part. After removing the chewed leaf, the person also either sips or places her or his lips to a small metal container containing nirang (consecrated white bull's urine called taro or gomez when not consecrated). The Zoroastrian "Great Purification" rite The "Great Purification" rite ( baresnum) of Zoroastrianism originally was intended for purification from serious polluting contacts, especially for corpse bearers after contact with death. Northwest of Iran in the country of Azerbaijan, the land of the eternal fires, espand is called uzarlik. The Journal of Ritual Studies, founded in 1987, is a broadly based interdisciplinary journal, concentrating on the diverse, creative and globally significant topic of ritual studies. The closing of the ritual includes the woman performing the achu michu places a piece of rock crystal in the mouth of the recipient, in a sub-ritual called mithu-moonu or mouth sweetening to encourage sweet talk. Zarathushtra eventually came to be regarded as the founder and prophet of the . The priest will have added to the nirang, a pinch of the bhasam or the consecrated ash from a fire at the fire-temple. In addition to relieving depression, the smoke from the seeds kills algae, bacteria, intestinal parasites, moulds, insects and inhibits the reproduction of the Tribolium castaneum beetle. What did Zoroaster teach? The nirang (taro) ritual is part of an ancient practice when taro was used externally (for washing items and the body) and internally as a disinfectant before the advent of modern anti-bacterial agents. The espand plant is a rich natural source of five alkaloids, harmane, harmine, harmaline, harmalol and tetrahydroharmine (from the Indian name for the plant, harmal), the MAOI-A (monoamine oxidase inhibitor A), substances that have been used in modern medicine to treat clinical depression. Ingestion in excess can have harmful consequences, as can excessive inhalation of the smoke. The procedure is repeated with a coconut. One method for removing the effects of the evil eye is the burning of espand/esfand seeds. 585 -529 B.C.). it is tended by white-gloved priests who have undergone the most rigorous purification. Plano Carpini, a 13th century Italian traveller, and one of the first Europeans, who visited the Mongol court forty years before Marco Polo, wrote in his travelogue that "before we were taken to his court we were told we would have to pass between two fires, which we refused to do under any consideration. The uzarlik in the palm is then cast into a fire and burned. The single fire used in the popular rite is representative of the seven cleansing and purifying fires described below. Today, the steps are of symbolic importance. Burn in this glowing fire. The taro is ritually consecrated to nirang in advance and is believed to have cleansing properties (also see Darmesteter 5.5). They receive the shirt (sadre) and the girdle (kusti), which they are to wear their whole life. Those who partake of the espand ritual, attest to its efficacy especially during times of sorrow or depression, when it lightens the heart, raises the spirit and produces feelings of well-being, contentment and confidence. The symbolism, is that Zoroastrians are ever vigilant against evil and seek to walk the path of Asha or goodness.
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