Anahita
Ancient Persian Goddess & Zoroastrian Yazata
Edited by Payam Nabarz
275 Pages, ISBN 978 1 905297 30 6
Published by Avalonia, 2013
The Indo-Iranian Anahita is an ancient Persian Goddess, who became
a Zoroastrian Yazata (or Angel) and is still part of contemporary
Zoroastrianism. Described as a beautiful maiden, strong, tall
and pure, she is depicted as wearing a mantle embroidered with gold
and holding the baresma (sacred plant) in her hand. She is the
Goddess of all the waters upon the earth, her full title being Aredvi
Sura Anahita which means moist, mighty and immaculate (pure), and
she travels on her chariot pulled by four horses: Wind, Rain, Cloud
and Sleet. Closely associated with the King's investiture she is a
Goddess of Sovereignty, thought by some to be the Persian Aphrodite,
who also has some remarkable similarities to numerous other ancient
goddesses, including Ishtar, Venus, Nana and Isis.
Anahita: Ancient Persian Goddess and Zoroastrian Yazata is a collection
of papers, art and poetry celebrating this fascinating Goddess from more
than 25 esteemed international academics, Zoroastrians, artists and
writers. Each share their research and insights leading the reader
on a journey of discovery - from the Achaemenid Royal Inscriptions
featuring Anahita and Mithra, to the possible relationships between
Anahita and the Dame du Lac of Arthurian Legend, representations of
her in Sassanian art, William Morris Hunt through to Anahita as the
pre-Christian Virgin Mother of Mithra, as well as her role in purification
and purity. Studies of the Sassanian rock reliefs, hot mineral springs,
and her water ritual in Mahayana Buddhism, in addition to an examination
of the Sassanid stucco discovered in the Barz-e-qawela in Lorestan province
of Iran and women in ancient Elam are all brought together illustrating the
significance of Anahita throughout Persian and Middle Eastern history.
This book is the most extensive study of the figure of Anahita in recent
years, and includes new researcg, never previously published. Anahita:
Ancient Persian Goddess and Zoroastrian Yazata is essential reading for
readers interested not just in this Goddess and her history, but also
with a passion for Persian and Middle Eastern history.
Contributors include: Dr. Israel Campos Méndez, Dr. Kaveh Farrokh,
Dr. Matteo Compareti, Sheda Vasseghi, D.M. Murdock, Dr. Sam Kerr,
Rahele Koulabadi, Dr. Seyyed Rasool Mousavi Haji, Morteza Ataie,
Seyed Mehdi Mousavi Kouhpar, Seyyed Sadrudin Mosavi Jashni,
Farhang Khademi Nadooshan, Hassan Nia, Masoud Sabzali,
Dr. Masato Tojo, Behzad Mahmoudi, Amir Mansouri, Dr Kamyar Abdi,
Dr Gholamreza Karamian, Maryam Zour, Saman Farzin, Babak Aryanpour,
Reza MehrAfarin, Akashanath, Shapour Suren-Pahlav, Ana C. Jones,
Katherine Sutherland, and Dr. Payam Nabarz.
(The text above comes from the back of the book)
