A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| Ab Zohr | Av. ap- zaoϑra-; Phl. āb zōhr | 1. A ritual offering to the waters. 2. The last part of the Yasna ceremony, when the water and haoma juice are returned to the well. |
| Aban/Avan | Av. ap-; Phl. āb | 1. Lit. waters. 2. Day of the month. 3. Name of a month. 4. Name of a niayesh (prayer). 5. Name of one of the Yashts in the Avesta. |
| Abangan | Phl. ābāngān | Celebration on the day of Aban/Avan in the month of Aban/Avan. (See Avan) |
| Achaemenian/Achaemenid | OP. haxāmanišiya– | Name of the Iranian dynasty that founded the Persian Empire, which extended from Central and South Asia to the borders of Europe and North Africa from 550 B.C.E. – 330 B.C.E. |
| achoo michoo | A Parsi symbolic ritual performed prior to stepping onto the wedding or navjote area. Usually done by the mother. Auspicious items such as an egg, coconut, betel nut and leaf, are circled seven times around the candidate before being showered by rice known as ovarna. Not to be confused with sagan. | |
| Adar/Azar | Av. ātar-; Phl. ātaxš, ādur | 1. Lit. fire. 2. Day of the month. 3. Name of a month. (See atash) |
| adaran/adorian | Phl. ādurān | The term commonly used in Iran for a fire temple, which usually has a second grade of fire housed. A second grade fire is composed of 4 fires compared to an atash Behram that requires 16 different fires in order to be consecrated. In some countries, especially in North America, the term Dar-e-Mehr or Darbe Meher are commonly used. The term atashkadeh is also used by Iranian Zoroastrians as a general term for any fire temple. (See agiary and atashkadeh) |
| adarni | A Parsi term for the custom that takes place three days before the wedding and is the occasion when the groom’s family visits the bride’s home (the bride may alternatively go over to the groom’s family home) to present her with additional gifts such as clothes and jewellery. | |
| Adur Burzen Mihr/Azarborzin Mehr | Phl. ādur ī burzēnmihr | One of three important fire temples founded in the Parthian era attributed to the farmer class. |
| Adur Farnbag/Azar Farnbagh | Phl. ādur ī farrbāy | One of three important fire temples founded in the Parthian era, attributed to the priestly class. |
| Adur Gushnasp/Azargoshasp | Phl. ādur ī gušnāsp | One of three important fire temples founded in the Parthian era, attributed to the warrior class. |
| Adurbad Maraspand/Adurbad-i Mahraspandan | Phl. ādurbād ī mahraspandān | Name of the high priest during the reign of the Sasanian king, Shapur II. |
| advanu | A Parsi term referring to the pre-marriage ritual of engagement/exchange of clothes and rings (usually silver bands). The women from each family go to each other’s homes and exchange clothes. A ses with sweet meats and yogurt is prepared known as dahi macchi (a sweet in the shape of a fish). | |
| afarganyu/afargan | A fire holder or fire stand. The Persian word atashdan is also used. In the Zoroastrian Dari dialect it is pronounced Afregooni. (See atashdan) | |
| Afrasiab | Av. fraŋrasiian-; Phl. frāsyāb | 1. Turanian king in the Shah Nameh. 2. An archaeological site in Samarkand. |
| Afrin | Av. ā-frī-; Phl. āfrīn | 1. Blessings. 2. Prayers during the conclusion of the Jashan. |
| afrinagan/afringan | Phl. āfrīnagān | One section of the Jashan ceremony; also performed by itself. Usually performed in memory of the departed along with the farokshi. |
| agiary/dar-e-mehr | Phl. dar ī mihr | A Parsi term for a fire temple of the second grade. |
| Ahriman | Phl. ahreman; NP. ahriman | 1. The New Persian term for destructive mentality. 2. In later Zoroastrianism, Ahriman represents the embodiment of evil. |
| Ahunavaiti/Ahunavad | Av. ahunauuaitī– gāϑā-; Phl. ahunawad gāh | 1. Name of the first Gatha, which includes Yasna chapters 28-34. 2. Named after the Ahunavar prayer. |
| Ahunavar | Av. ahuna- vairiia-; Phl. ahunawar | 1. Name of one of the most ancient sacred Zoroastrian prayers, which consists of 21 words. The name is derived from the older form Ahuna Vairyo. 2. Commonly known as Yatha Ahu (Vairyo), which are the opening words of this prayer. |
| Ahura Mazda | Av. ahura- mazdā-; Phl. ohrmazd; NP. hormazd; PGuj. hormuzd | 1. ‘The Lord of Wisdom’ or ‘the Wise Lord’. 2. Day of the month. 3. Name of a month. 4. Name of a yasht. (See Hormuzd and Ohrmazd) |
| airyaman | OAv. airiiə̄man-; YAv. airiiaman-; Phl. ērmān | 1. Common noun, meaning “member of the community or of a tribe”. 2. The proper noun is the name of the Yazata of friendship. |
| Airyana Vaeja | Av. airiiana- vaējah-; Phl. ērānwēz | Avestan name for Iran in ancient times. |
| Airyemo ishyo | OAv. ā. airiiə̄mā. išiiō | Name of a prayer contained in Yasna 54. It is one of the oldest Zoroastrian prayers along with Yatha Ahu Vairyo, Ashem Vohu, and Yenghe Hatam. |
| Aiwisruthrem Gah/Aiwisruthrem Geh | Av. aiβisrūϑrima- gāϑā-; Phl. ēbsrūsrim gāh | Fourth watch of the day (prayer time) from sunset to midnight. |
| Alborz/Elburz | Av. harā- bərəzaitī-; Phl. harborz; NP. alburz | Name of a mountain range in northern Iran. The highest peak of this range is Mount Damavand. |
| Ameretat/Amardad/Amordad | Av. amərətāt-; Phl. amurdād; NP. amordād | 1. Immortality or continuity of life; also one of the Amesha Spentas. 2. Day of the month. 3. Name of a month. |
| Amesha Spentas/Amshaspandan | Av. aməṣ̌a- spəṇta-; Phl. amahraspand(ān); NP. amešasfand(ān) | 1. The name given to the bounteous immortals or the beneficient attributes of Ahura Mazda. 2. Amshaspand is the singular form of the Persian ‘Amshaspandan’. |
| Amordadgan | Phl. amurdādgān | 1. Celebration on the day of Amordad in the month of Amordad. 2. The last day of the eighteen-day muktad. (See Ameretat) |
| Amu Nowruz | 1. In Iran it is the name of the benevolent character that represents gift-giving during Nowruz (similar to Western Santa Claus). 2. The term is used interchangeably with ‘Haji Firuz’, or ‘Khawje Piruz’, but there is a legend that connects Haji Firuz with a hero from the Sasanian period, who fought against the Arab-Islamic invaders of Iran. | |
| Aneran/Anaram | Av. anaγra- (raocah-); Phl. anagrān | 1. Day of the month. NOTE: Aneran is not to be confused with a similar sounding term that means non-Iranian. |
| Angra Mainyu | OAv. aṇgra- mańiiu-; YAv. aŋra- mainiiu-; Phl. ahreman; NP. ahriman | 1. The Avestan term for destructive mentality. 2. In later Zoroastrianism, Angra Mainyu represents the embodiment of evil. |
| anjuman/anjoman | Av. haṇjamana-; Phl. hanjaman; NP. anjuman, anjoman | Lit. association. |
| Ara Antar/hathavero | 1. A Parsi term referring to ‘Tying the knot’. 2. A possible derivation is that a cloth is placed aaru (sideways) between (antar) the couple] after the hathavero. (See hathavero) | |
| aramgah | NP. ārām-gāh | Final resting place (a cemetery or tomb); for instance, Cyrus’s tomb is referred to as an “aramgah”. |
| Arda Viraz Namag/Arda Viraf Nameh | Phl. ardā wīrāz nāmag; NP. ardā virāf nāmeh | Title of a book written in Middle Persian (Pahlavi) authored by Arda Viraz (also spelled Arda Viraf). |
| Ardibehesht/Ordibehesht | Av. aṣ̌a- vahišta-; Phl. ardwahišt, ašwahišt; NP. ardibehešt, ordibehešt | 1. Day of the month. 2. Name of a month. 3. Name of one of the Yashts in the Avesta. (See Asha Vahishta) |
| Ardvisura Anahita | Av. arəduuī- sūrā- anāhitā- | The protector of waters and symbol of fertility. |
| (Spenta) Armaiti/Aspandarmad | Av. (spəṇtā-) ārmaiti-; Phl. spandarmad; NP. aspandarmad, asfandarm | 1. Lit. serenity, right-mindedness. 2. One of the seven Amesha Spentas responsible for protecting the Earth. 3. Day of the month. 4. Name of a month. (See Spenta Armaiti) |
| Artaxerxes | OP. artaxšaça– | 1. Name of an Achaemenid king. 2. In New Persian it is rendered to Khashayarsha. |
| Asfandarmad | Av. (spəṇtā-) ārmaiti-; Phl. spandarmad; NP. aspandarmad, asfandarmad | 1. Day of the month 2. Name of a month (See Armaiti, Spendarmazd, Esfandegan) |
| Asha | Av. aṣ̌a– | This word does not lend itself to a simple translation. In Zoroastrian teachings, it can mean, truth, universal law, natural order, or righteousness. |
| Asha Vahishta | Av. aṣ̌a– vahišta– | 1. Lit. the best Truth. 2. One of the seven Amesha Spentas. |
| ashavan | Av. aṣ̌auuan– | One who follows Asha. |
| ashirvard | Skr. āśīrvāda– | A Parsi term, which means wedding blessings. |
| Ashishvangh/Ard | Av. aṣ̌i- vaŋuhī-; Phl. ard, ahrišwang, ašišwang | 1. Day of the month. 2. Name of one of the Yashts in the Avesta. |
| Asman | Av. asman-; Phl. asmān | 1. Sky in Avestan and New Persian. 2. Day of the month. 3. Name of one of the Yashts in the Avesta. |
| Astad | Av. arštāt-; Phl. aštād | 1. Day of the month. 2. Name of one of the Yashts in the Avesta. |
| astodan | Phl. astōdān | Ossuary. Lit. bone holder. |
| Astvat ereta | Av. astuuaṯ.ərəta– | 1. He who embodies Asha. 2. The name of the final saoshyant. |
| atash | Av. ātar-; Phl. ātaxš, ādur; NP. ātaš, ātar, ādar, āzar | 1. Fire in Persian. 2. Other cognates include Azar, Atar, Adur, and Athra. |
| atash Bahram/atash Behram | Phl. ātaxš ī wahrām | Highest grade of fire in Zoroastrian tradition—a ‘cathedral’ fire temple, which is consecrated using 16 different fires and lengthy rituals. (See Bahram/Behram) |
| Atash Niayesh | Phl. ātaxš niyāyišn; NP. ātaš niyāyeš | Devotional prayer recited unto the fire. |
| atash-e-Adaran | Phl. ātaxš ī ādurān | 1. Second grade of ritual fire in fire temples that is consecrated using 4 different fires. 2. Also known as ‘agiary’. |
| atash-e-Dadgah | Phl. ātaxš ī dādgāh | Third and lowest grade of fire, which can be in a house or minor fire temple. |
| atashdan | Phl. ātaxšdān; NP. ātašdān | The vessel/container in which the fire is placed in a temple. (See afarganyu/afargan) |
| atashgah/atashkadeh | Phl. ātaxšgāh; NP. ātaš-kadeh | The Persian term used by Iranians for a fire temple. Lit. place of fire/house of fire. (See agiary and adoran/adorian) |
| athravan | Av. āϑrauuan- | Priest or “fire tender” in Avestan. |
| Avan/Aban | Av. ap– ; Phl. āb | See Aban. |
| Avesta | Phl. abastāg, abestāg; NP. avestā | Corpus of Zoroastrian religious texts in the Old Iranian (Avestan) language with Middle Persian (Pahlavi) commentaries, referred to as Zand or Zend. (See Zend Avesta) |
| Avesta ye koshti | NP. avestā-ye košti | Prayer for tying the koshti. |
| Avestan | English adjective derived from NP. avestā | The Old Iranian language used in the Avesta, which has an older and a younger dialect. |
| Ayathrem gahanbar | Av. aiiaϑrima- + Phl. gāhānbār | 1. Lit. Bringing home the herds. 2. The fourth seasonal festival of the year in honour of plants (one of the seven creations). |
| Azargan | Phl. ādurgān; NP. āzargān | Celebration on the day of Azar in the month of Azar. |
| Azi Dahaka | Av. aži- dahāka-; Phl. azdahāg; NP. aždahā, zahhāk | A serpentine creature or dragon that is a villainous character in the Shah Nameh. (see Zahak) |
B
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| Baad | Av. vāta-; Phl. wād | 1. Lit. Wind. 2. Day of the Month. (See Govad) |
| Bahman | Av. vohu- manah-; Phl. wahman; NP. bahman | 1. Refers to the good mind, which is an abstract idea in Zoroastrian philosophy as propounded by Zarathushtra in his Gathas. 2. The second Amesha Spenta. 3. Guardian responsible for protection of the animal kingdom. 4. Day of the month. 5. Name of a month. (See Vohu Manah) |
| Bahmangan | Phl. wahmangān; NP. bahmangān | Celebration on the day of Bahman in the month of Bahman. |
| Bahram/Behram | Av. vərəϑraγna-; Phl. wahrām, warahrān; NP. bahram, behram | 1. Lit. Victor/victorious. 2. Name of a Yazata. 3. Day of the month. 4. Name of one of the Yashts in the Avesta. 5. Name of several Iranian kings. (See Vahram) |
| Bahrot Caves | Location in India, where Iranshah fire was kept in hiding for 12 years from 1393 CE to 1405 CE after Muhammad bin Tughluq attacked Sanjan. | |
| baj/vaj | Av. vac-; Phl. wāz; NP. bāj, vāj | 1. Practice of praying in undertone. 2. Maintaining silence. 3. A higher liturgy used to consecrate dron/dorun. 4. It may also refer to one’s death anniversary among the Parsis. |
| Balkh | Av. bāxδī-; Phl. bāxl; NP. bālx | 1. Name of a city historically in eastern Iran (currently in Afghanistan), where King Vishtaspa (Goshtasp) was believed to have adopted Zoroastrianism. 2. Legends say that Zarathushtra was killed in Balkh. |
| Bareshnum | Av. bar(ə)šnūm; Phl. baršnūm (ī nō šab); NP. barešnom | Nine-night ritual of ablution and purification. Iranian Zoroastrians also use the term ‘noshveh’. |
| Barsom | Av. bar(ə)sman; Phl. barsom; NP. barsam | 1. Derived from the Avestan noun baresman, which refers to sacred twigs of the Tamarisk tree. 2. Represents an important part of the Zoroastrian liturgical apparatus. |
| baug | Phl. bāγ; NP. bāγ | 1. Derived from the New Persian word Baagh, which means garden. 2. A place where weddings or initiations are celebrated. 3. A term referring to Parsi housing estates in India. |
| behdin | Av. vaŋuhī- daēnā-; Phl. weh dēn(ān); NP. behdin(ān) | 1. A follower of the Good Religion—a Zoroastrian. 2. Of the ‘Good Religion’. 3. Also denotes a layperson in Zoroastrianism versus a priest. |
| Behistun/Bisotun | Structures that contain major bas reliefs in Kermanshah province of Iran, dating back to the reign of the Achaemenid King Darius in Kermanshah. | |
| Boi ceremony | Av. baoδah-; Phl. bōy; NP. bōy | 1. Lit. fragrance. 2. It refers to tending to the fire and ringing of the bell at the change of each gah. |
| Bukhara (Uzbekistan) | Part of the Old Achaemenid empire. | |
| Bundahishn | Phl. bundahišn | 1. Lit. The beginning of creation. 2. Name of a Pahlavi text written in the 9th century and based on the Avestan Damdad and Chihrdad Nasks. |
C
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| Chahar-Shanbe Suri | NP. čahār-šanbeh suri | Final Tuesday before Norooz. At twilight, people jump over lit bonfires. |
| chaharom/chahrum | Phl. cahārom; NP. cahārom, cahrum | The rituals on the fourth day after death. |
| chahartagh | NP. cahārtāq | ‘Four-arched’ edifice within which stood a fire holder. Architectural structure within the Kebla. |
| chalk | Lat. calx | Decorative, colorful designs made on the floor with stencils for joyous occasions by Parsis. They are done daily by many Parsis in India. |
| chasni | Phl. cāšnīg; NP. čāšni | Consecrated food/post religious ceremony. |
| chinvat peretu pol/pul | Av. cinuuaṇt- pərətu-; Phl. cinwad puhl; NP. činvad pol | The bridge where the soul is judged at death. Lit. Crossing-place of the account-keeper. |
D
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| Dae | Av. daδuuah-; Phl. day; NP. dae | 1. Day of the month. 2. Name of a month 3. Dedicated to Dadar Hormuzd (Ahura Mazda). |
| Daegan | Phl. daygān | Monthly celebration: day of Dae and month of Ormazd |
| Daena vanguhi/den | Av. daēnā- vaŋuhī-; Phl. dēn ī weh | 1. Lit. Good conscience. 2. Word for insight/religion. Zarathushtra’s reference to the religion. |
| Daepadar/Dae-beh-azar | Phl. day pad ādur; NP. dae-pādar, dae-beh-āzar | Day of the month (day before Adar). |
| Daepdin/Dae-beh-din | Phl. day pad dēn; NP. dae-pdin, dae-beh-din | Day of the month (day before Din). |
| Daepmeher/Dae-beh-meh | Phl. day pad mihr; NP. dae-pmehr, dae-beh-meh | Day of the month (day before Meher). |
| daeva/daiva/div | Av. daēuua-; OP. dai̯u̯a-; Phl. dēw; NP. div | Demon, false/erroneous god. |
| Daham Yazad | Phl. dahom yazd; NP. daham yazad | Yazata responsible for the soul’s journey on the 4th day after death. |
| dakhma/dokhma/dakhmeh | Av. daxma-; Phl. daxmag; NP. daxmeh, doxma | A round, roofless structure set on a hill, where the dead are exposed. It is known popularly as a ‘tower of silence’. |
| dakhmenashini/dokhmenashini | Av. daxma-; Phl. daxmag; NP. daxmeh, doxma | 1. Lit. Putting in a dakhma. 2. The name of the practice that involves disposal of the dead. (See dakhma) |
| dar-e-mehr/darbe meher | Phl. dar ī mehr; NP. dar(b)-e mehr | 1. Lit. Court of Mithra. 2. A fire temple which has no permanently burning fire. |
| Daryavush/Dariush/Daraius/ Darius | OP. dārai̯au̯a(h)uš | Achaemenid king – commissioned building of Persepolis. |
| dastur/dastoor | Phl. dastwar; NP. dastur | A Zoroastrian high priest, who must undergo martab. Can be hereditary or appointed by the community. |
| Demavand/Damavand | Highest point of the Alborz mountain range in Iran. Associated with Iranian mythology as described in the Shah Nameh. | |
| Denkard/Dinkerd/Dinkard | Phl. dēnkard; NP. dinkard, dinkerd | Text describing ‘Acts of Religion’. |
| Din | Av. daēnā-; Phl. dēn; NP. din | 1. Day of the month. 2. Name of a month. 3. Name of one of the Yashts in the Avesta. |
| div | Av. daēuua-; OP. dai̯u̯a-; Phl. dēw; NP. div | Demon, false/erroneous god. |
| Div | An island where the Parsis’ ancestors first landed but soon left due to tumultuous weather. Today known as Diu/Daman. | |
| divo | An oil lamp used for prayers and in ceremonies. | |
| Doa Nam Setayeshne | Ar. duʾa + Phl. nām stāyišn; NP. doa nām setāyešne | Prayer of gratitude to Ahura Mazda. |
| Doghdhova/Dughdova/Dogdo | Av. duγδōuuā– | Zarathushtra’s mother. |
| dron/dorun | Av. draonah-; Phl. drōn; NP. darun | Unleavened wheat bread consecrated by the priest in the Baj and Yazashne/Yasna ceremonies. |
| druj | Av. druj-; Phl. druz | Deceit, chaos, confusion. |
| duzakh/dozakh | Av. duž-aŋhu-; Phl. dušox; NP. dozax, duzax | Hell. |
E
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| ervad | Term given to all ordained priests after undergoing the Navar ceremony. | |
| esfand | Phl. spand; NP. esfand | Incense sprinkled over fire |
| Esfandegan/Spendarmazdegan | Phl. spandīgān; NP. esfandegān, spendarmazdegān | 1. Day of Spendarmazd and month of Esfand 2. Original Valentine’s Day and Celebration of Women i.e. International Women’s Day. (See Armaiti) |
F
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| fargard/pargarad | Phl. fragard; NP. fargard, pargarad | Chapter of the Vendidad. |
| Farohar/Fravashi/Fravahar(Asho) | Av. frauuaṣ̌i-; Phl. fraward, frawahr; NP. fravahar, farohar | This term is usually translated as ‘guardian spirit’, the ‘pre-soul’ that pre-exists and post-exists the individual, and is venerated as efficacious on behalf of the living. It may also refer to the farokshi ceremony. |
| farokshi | Av. frauuaṣ̌i– | Farvardin Yasht with Satum no Karda, usually prayed alongside the afargan ceremony by a priest. |
| farr | Av. xvarənah-; Phl. xwarrah, farr(ah); NP. farr | The ‘Divine fortune or glory’ in the Shah Nameh. |
| Farziyat Nama | Ar. farżīyat + NP. nāmeh, nāma | A text describing farajyat or one’s obligatory daily prayers, kushti/koshti prayers, including Sarosh Baj, Gah, Khorshed and Meher Niayesh in the day, and Sarosh Yasht at night. |
| Feraydun/Feridun/Thraetaona | Av. ϑraētaona-; Phl. frēdōn; NP. faridun, fer(e)idun | Iranian mythical hero who defeated Zohak. |
| Ferdowsi/Firdowsi Tusi | 10th century Iranian poet and composer of the Shah Nameh. | |
| Frashokereti/frashegird | Av. frašō.kərəti-; Phl. fraš(e)gird | The making wonderful/perfect of the world; the renovation. |
| Fravardegan/Farvardingan/ Fravardigan | Phl. frawardīgān; NP. fravardegān, farvardingān | Celebration of the departed ones. A festival commemorating the fravashis during the last ten days of the year. See muktad. |
| Fravardin/Farvardin | Phl. frawardīn; NP. farvardin | 1. Day of the month. 2. First month of the year. 3. Yazad 4. Name of one of the Yashts in the Avesta. It is also known as Arda Fravash. (See Farohar/Fravashi) |
G
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| gabr | Pejorative term for Zoroastrians after the Islamic invasion (Iranian Zoroastrians in Dari may still refer to themselves as gavroon – origin: cow herder). | |
| gah/geh | Phl. gāh; PGuj. geh | The five watches of the day. |
| gahanbar/gahambar | Phl. gāhānbār | The six seasonal community festivals. |
| Garo demana garonmana/garodman | OAv. garō. d(ə)māna-; YAv. garō. nmāna-; Phl. garōdmān | ‘House of song’- also known as garothman behesht. |
| Gathas | Av. gāϑā– | The seventeen ‘songs’ or ‘hymns’ of Zarathushtra; Old Avestan poems of Zarathushtra. Yasna chapters 28-34, 43-51 & 53. The Y. Av (Y. 71.6) alludes to the five Gathas, which are named in Visperad 1.4-7 . These five “songs/poems” are preserved sequentially, subdivided into 17 “haiti” or sections, in the Yasna. See https://iranicaonline.org/articles/gathas-i-texts. |
| gavoh | The ceremony at which the bride and groom say their vows. | |
| Gaya meretan/Gayomard/Kiumars | Av. gaiia– marətan-; Phl. gayōmard; NP. k(a)yumars, kayumarṯ | The primal mortal. |
| getig/geti | Phl. gētīy | The corporeal world. |
| Geush Urvan | OAv. gə̄uš. uruuan- | The soul of the cow/earth that calls out to Ahura Mazda in Yasna 29.1 to send a saviour. See urvan. |
| ghanat/kanat | Ar. qanāt | Architectural feature in Iran. |
| gireban | Phl. grīwbān | Part of the sudreh – pocket of good deeds. |
| Goosh/Gosh | OAv. gə̄uš; YAv. gāuš | 1. Day of the month. 2. Name of one of the Yashts in the Avesta. 3. Co-worker of Bahman. |
| Govad | Av. vāta-; Phl. wād | 1. Lit. wind. 2. Day of the month. (See Baad) |
H
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| Hadokht | Av. haδaoxta-; Phl. hādōxt | Only existent nask, the 19th out of 21. Also known as the Vendidad. |
| haft seen/haft sheen | Phl./NP. haft + Ar. sīn | Nowruz table set with seven trays or seven items beginning with “s”or “sh”. |
| Haji Firuz/Haji Firooz | Fictional character that appears in the streets at the beginning of Nowruz; wearing bright red clothes, face covered in soot and with a red hat. | |
| Hamadan/Hamedan | OP. hagmatāna-; Phl. hamadān; NP. hamadān, hamedān | Place name, otherwise known as Ecbatana. |
| Hamaspathmaidyem gahanbar | Av. hamaspaϑmaēdaiia– + Phl. gāhānbār | Last gahanbar of the year Mar 16 – Mar 20. Feast of ‘all souls’, celebrated during the five Gatha days known in Gujarati as ‘Gatha-Gahambar na Divas’. Held in honour of Humans (creation). Lit. Coming of the whole group. |
| Hamazoor Bim | Phl. hamāg zōr b(aw)ēm | One of the concluding Kadimi/Irani Koshti prayers. It focuses on unity and togetherness. |
| hamazor hama asho bed | Phl. hamāg zōr hamāg ašō b(aw)ēd | Lit. May you be united in strength and in righteousness. A prayer or action of unity. A stylized handshake performed by priests during all ceremonies to unite in strength for the performance of the ritual. |
| hambandagi/humbandagi | Phl. hambandagīh | 1. Lit. bondedness together. 2. communal prayer. |
| hamdins | Phl. hamdēn | Fellow community members. |
| hamkars | Phl. hamkār | Helpers of the Amesha Spentas. |
| haoma | Av. haoma-; Phl. hōm | 1. The beneficent plant pressed during the Yasna, and offered with milk and water as ab zohr at the end of the liturgy. 2. A Yazad 3. Name of one of the Yashts in the Avesta. |
| har | A flower garland worn as part of sagan. It may also refer to a necklace. | |
| hathavero | PGuj. hath | 1. Lit. To clasp hands 2. The first part of the Parsi wedding ceremony where the bride and groom sit facing each other, with a cloth between them. They hold each other’s right hands under the cloth and the officiating priest ties the thread around their hands as he chants Yatha Ahu Vairyo. |
| Haurvatat | Av. hauruuatāt-; Phl. hordād | One of the Amesha Spentas: ‘wholeness’ or ‘health’, associated with the waters. |
| Havan gah/geh | Av. hāuuani– gāϑā-; Phl. hāwan gāh | First watch of the day, from sunrise till noon. Also the mortar in which haoma is pounded during the Yasna, from which the gah derives its name. |
| hirbod/herbad | Av. aēϑrapati-; Phl. hērbed; PGuj. ervad | Religious teacher; now, priest who has completed the first level of training (navar). IT is used as a title for all priests except Dasturs by the Parsis. |
| Hormazd/Hormuzd | Av. ahura- mazdā-; Phl. ohrmazd; NP. hormazd; PGuj. hormuzd | 1. Ahura Mazda – God. 2. First day of the month. 3. Name of a month. 4. Name of one of the Yashts in the Avesta. |
| Hormozd I | Av. ahura- mazdā-; Phl. ohrmazd; NP. hormazd | Sasanian King |
| humata, hukhta, hvarshta | Av. humata- hūxta- huuaršta- | Good thoughts, good words, good deeds. |
| Hushang/Hoshang | Av. haošiiaŋha-; Phl. hōšang; NP. hušang, hošang | King in the Shah Nameh who is attributed for discovering fire. |
I
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| ijar | PGuj. ijār | 1. A narrow, fitted cotton trouser worn over the legha by priests when performing higher liturgies. 2. It may also refer to the trousers worn by children during the navjote. |
| Ijasne | Av. yasna-; Phl. yasn, yazišn; NP. jašan; PGuj. ijasne, yazašnē | Yazashne (same as Yasna). |
| Iraj/Irach/Erach | Av. airiiāuua-; Phl. ēriz/ērij; NP. irač, iraj | Brother of Salm in the Shah Nameh. |
| Isfahan/Esfahan | Phl. spahān; NP. esfahān; Ar. iṣfahān | City in Iran. |
| Isfandiyar/Esfandiyar | Av. spəṇtōδāta-; Phl. spandyād; NP. esfandiyār | From the Shah Nameh. |
J
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| Jadi/Jadav/Jadiv Rana | King of Sanjan when the Parsis first landed there. He allowed them sanctuary if they respected five conditions. He is believed to be the Silhara ruler Vajada Deva, since no king with the name Jadi Rana exists in historical records. | |
| jamo | Phl. jāmag | Priest’s outer robe, also worn by laymen prior to the twentieth century. |
| Jamshedi Navroz | Phl. jamšēd + nōg rōz; NP. jamšidi + nowruz; PGuj. jamšedi navroz | The Parsi name for the celebration of the vernal equinox. |
| Jamshid (King) Yima | Av. yima- xšaēta-; Phl. jamšēd; NP. jamšid | King in the Shah Nameh and mentioned in the Avesta. |
| jashan | Av. yasna-; Phl. yasn, yazišn; NP. jašan; PGuj. ijasne, yazašnē | An outer ceremony of thanksgiving and praise. |
| Jashne Mehregan | Phl. yasn, yazišn + mihrgān; NP. jašan-e mehregān | Day of Mehr, month of Mehr, parab. |
| Jashne Sadeh | NP. jašan-e sādeh | 40 days after Yalda (the winter solstice). |
| Jashne Tirgan | Phl. yasn, yazišn + tīrgān; NP. jašan-e tirgān | Day of Tir and month of Tir. (See parab) |
| jaziyeh/jizya | Ar. jizyah; NP. jiziyeh | Poll tax on non-Muslims. |
| juddin | Phl. juddēn; NP. juddin | A non-Zoroastrian. |
K
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| Kabehyeh Zartosht | Ar. ka‘bah; NP. ka‘beh-ye + zartošt | Site near Naqsh-e-Rostam. |
| Kadmi/Kadimi | Ar. qadīmī | Lit. old (calendar). One of the three calendar conventions. |
| Kai Kavad/Kobad | Av. kauui- kauuāta-; Phl. kay kawād; NP. kay kobād | From the Shah Nameh. |
| Kai Kavoos/Kavas | Av. kauui- usan-; Phl. kay + kāyus; NP. kay kāvus | 1. Proper name attested in the Avesta. 2. Sasanian King. 3. King in the Shah Nameh. |
| Kai Khosro/Khosrow/Khushroo | Av. kauui– husrauuah-; Phl. kay husraw; NP. kay xosro/xusrow/xušru | 1. Proper name attested in the Avesta. 2. Sasanian King. 3. King in the Shah Nameh. |
| karapan | Av. karapan– | Term for priests during the time of Zarathushtra. |
| Kaveh | NP. kāveh | Name of a blacksmith – From the Shah Nameh. |
| kavi | Av. kauui– | Term for tribal rulers during the time of Zarathushtra. |
| Kayanian/Kianian | Av. kauui-; Phl. kay | The second mythological dynasty of Iranian kings. |
| kebla | Ar. qiblah | The inner sanctorum for the fire. |
| Kerdir/Kartir | Phl. kirdīr | A powerful priest under several early Sasanian monarchs. |
| Keresaspa/Garshasp/Kersi | Av. kərəsāspa-; Phl. kersāsp; NP. garšāsp | Ancient Iranian mythical hero. |
| Khichdi no Divas | PGuj. khichdi | 1. Lit. “the day of khichdi” (a dish made of rice and lentils cooked together). 2. A day of fun before the main marriage ritual takes place. 3. When the ‘ukardi kukardi’ game is played. |
| Khodai Namak/Nameh | Phl. xwadāy nāmag | Predecessor of the Shah Nameh. |
| Khorasan | Phl. xwarāsān; NP. xorāsān | Where the sun rests. Name of the region between eastern part of Iran and Afghanistan. |
| Khordad | Av. hauruuatāt-; Phl. hordād; NP. xordād | Third month in the Zoroastrian calendar; dedicated to the Amesha Spenta for water. See Haurvatat. |
| Khordad Sal | Phl. hordād sāl; NP. xordād sāl | Sixth day of Farvardin month, birthday of Asho Zarathushtra. |
| Khordadgan | Phl. hordādgān; NP. xordādgān | Day of Khordad and month of Khordad. (See parab) |
| Khordeh Avesta | Phl. xwardag abastāg; NP. xorde avestā | Small Avesta- daily prayer book. |
| Khorshed/Khorshid | Av. huuar- xšaēta-; Phl. xwaršēd; NP. xoršid | 1. Day of the month. 2. Name of a niayesh (prayer). 3. Yasht dedicated unto the sun. |
| Khshathra Vairya/Shahrivar/Shehrevar | Av. xšaϑra- vairiia-; Phl. šahrewar; NP. šahrivar, šehrevar | 1. Lit. Desirable Power. 2. Amesha Spenta responsible for metals and the sky. 3. Day of the month 4. Name of a month. (See Shehrevar) |
| khushnuman | Av. xšnūmaine; Phl. (x)šnūman | A prayer or formula of invoking a Divine being. |
| khwarenah | Av. xvarənah-; Phl. xwarrah, farr(ah); NP. farr | Divine fortune or glory. (See farr) |
| Kisseh-i Sanjan | Ar. qiṣṣah; NP. qeṣṣeh-ye sanjān | Story of Sanjan; a historical episode narrated as per oral tradition and written by the learned Sanjan priest Bahman Kekobad in Navsari in 1599 CE. |
| Kurosh/Kourosh/Koresh/Cyrus | OP. kūru– (nom. kūruš); Gr. kūros | Founder of the Achaemenid dynasty, attributed author of the Cyrus cylinder – first Charter of Human Rights. |
| kushti/koshti/kusti | Phl. kustīg; NP. kušti, košti; PGuj. kusti | The sacred woolen cord worn around the waist by initiated Zoroastrians (usually woven from lamb, but can be camel or goat hair), made of 72 threads; tied around the waist over the sudreh after initiation. |
L
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| lagan | Skr. lagna | Parsi term for wedding ceremony. |
| legha/legho | Loose fitting trousers worn mainly by men, but also worn by children on the navjote day. | |
| loban | Ar. lubaan | Lit. incense, offering to the fire. |
| Lohrasp | Av. auruuaṯ.aspa-; Phl. arwadasp, luhrāsp; NP. lohrāsp | Kayanian king. |
| lork | NP. lork | The festival food of seven kinds of dried fruits, dates, chickpeas and nuts, which are eaten at the end of the gahanbar prayers. |
M
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| maachi/upasayaeni | Av. (dāitiiō.)upasaiieni.(bauu-) | An offering of a throne to the fire of either 6, 7, or 9 wood pieces. |
| madhavsaro/madarsaro | Tree-planting ceremony which marks the start of a wedding’s preparatory celebrations and takes place four days before the wedding. During the ceremony, the families of the bride and the groom independently plant a young tree at their respective family homes. | |
| magus/Magi | OP. *magu-; Phl. mow | 1. In antiquity it referred to a specific type of priest. 2. In the Christian tradition, it was said that Jesus Christ was visited by the Three Magi at his birth. |
| mah | Av. māh-; Phl. māh; NP. māh | Moon or month. |
| Mah Bokhtar | Phl. māh + bōxtār | Niayesh for the moon. |
| Mahmud Baghda/Begada | Muslim Sultan of Gujarat who attacked Sanjan in 1465 C.E. forcing the Parsis to flee along with Iranshah. (r.1458-1511) | |
| Mahrespand | Av. aməṣ̌a- spəṇta-; Phl. amahraspand; NP. amešasfand, mahrespand | 2nd to last day of the month. |
| Maidyarem gahanbar | Av. maiδiiāiriia– + Phl. gāhānbār | The fifth seasonal festival of the year. Mid-year-winter festival, Dec 31 – Jan 4 in the month of Dae in honour of Animals (creation). |
| Maidyomah | Av. maiδiiō.måŋha-; Phl. mēd(y)ōmāh | Cousin of Zarathushtra, first follower/convert. |
| Maidyoshahem gahanbar | Av. maiδiiōi.šam– + Phl. gāhānbār | The second seasonal festival of the year. Midsummer festival, Jun 29 – Jul 3, month of Tir, in honour of Water (creation). |
| Maidyozarem gahanbar | Av. maiδiiōi.zarəmaiia– + Phl. gāhānbār | The first seasonal festival of the year. Mid-Spring festival, Apr 30 – May 4, month of Ardibehesht, in honour of Sky (creation). |
| mainyu/menog/minoi | OAv. mańiiu-; YAv. mainiiu-; YAv. mainiiauua; Phl. mēnōy; NP. minoy | ‘Conceptual’ existence – spirit/mentality/mind. |
| Manouchehr/Minocher | Av. manuš.ciϑra-; Phl. manušcihr; NP. manučer, minočer | King from the Shah Nameh. |
| manthra/mantra | Av. mąϑra-; Skt. mantra– | Thought provoking statement/powerful word or prayer. Holy spell, Word of God; the Holy Words of Ahura Mazda revealed by Zarathushtra; the sacred Avestan scriptures, the revelation (den). |
| martab | The second priestly initiation after navar. It qualifies the candidate to perform higher liturgies and can be done at any age. | |
| Mashya (male) and Mashyaneh/Mashyani (female) | Av. maṣ̌iia-, maṣ̌iiāna– | First humans mentioned in the Bundahishn. |
| mazdayasni | Av. māzdaiiasni– | Mazda worshipper, or pertaining to Zoroastrians. |
| Mehrab | Proper name/Mithraic temple. | |
| Mehregan | Phl. mihrgān; NP. meh(e)rgān | A seasonal celebration in honour of Mithra held in the autumn. |
| Mithra/Mehr/Meher | Av. miϑra-; Phl. mihr; NP. meh(e)r | 1. Lit. Contract. 2. Male yazata of the contract and light. 3. Day of the month. 4. Name of a month. 5. Name of a niayesh (prayer). 6. Name of one of the Yashts in the Avesta. |
| mobed/moobed | OP. *magu-pati-; Phl. mowbed; NP. mobed, mubed | Ordained Zoroastrian priest. |
| mobedyar | NP. mobedyār | In modern Iran, they are qualified to undertake certain ceremonies in the absence of priests. They no longer need to be born within the priest caste and can be male or female. |
| Mohr | Name of a day of the month, whose pronunciation is derived from “maongh”. (See Mah) | |
| monajat | Ar. munājāt; NP. monājāt; PGuj. monājāt | Devotional songs in Dari, Persian or Gujarati. |
| muktad | Skr. mukta– ātman– | 1. Lit. liberated souls. 2. The last ten days of the year when the departed are believed to visit the living. Parsis observe it before Nowruz. |
N
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| nabor | It is practiced four days in a month. Is about protecting domestic animals such as cows, chicken, etc. since on these days people do not consume meat. | |
| Nahavand | NP. nahāvand | Battle between Sasanians and Arabs (major victory for the Arabs) which marked the collapse of the Sasanian Empire – 642 C.E. (see Qadisiyya). |
| nahn | Av. snā– | Ritual bath for purification, performed before Sedreh-pooshi/Navjote, wedding and on the fortieth day after giving birth. It may also refer to the period of seclusion after taking the Bareshnum. |
| najes | Ar. najis | Arabic term referring to anything that is impure. |
| nask | Av. naska-; Phl. nask | Lit. bundle – It refers to the 21 collections of Avestan texts. With only one surviving till date. Believed to be given to Zarathustra by Ahura Mazda. |
| nasu | Av. nasu-; Phl. nasuš | Dead matter. |
| navar | Phl. nāwar | First grade of ordination as a priest. |
| navjote | Phl. nōg + zōtīh/zādīh | The Gujarati term for initiation. (See also nowzoodi and Sedreh-pooshi). |
| Neriosang Dhaval | Av. nairiiō.saŋha-; Phl. nēryōsang | 1. High Priest from Iran who arrived in Sanjan and approached King Jadav Rana for refuge. 2. It may also refer to the 15th century priest by the same name, responsible for translating a number of texts into Sanskrit. |
| niayesh | Phl. niyāyišn | Short devotional prayer to (fire, water, sun, and the moon). |
| nirang | Phl. nērang | 1. Libation: consecrated bull’s urine used for purification in nahn ceremonies of the navjote, wedding and bareshnum. 2. A powerful, mystical, formulaic prayer (Ardibehest Yasht Nirang, Sarosh Yasht Nirang). |
| nirang-din/nirangdin | Phl. nērang + dēn | Ceremony to consecrate ‘taro’ (unconsecrated bull’s urine). |
| noghl | NP. noql | Candied nuts. |
| Nowruz/Norooz/Navroz | Phl. nōg rōz; NP. nowruz; PGuj. navroz | Lit. ‘new day’, This refers to the New Year, which is celebrated by Zoroastrians at the time of the Spring equinox. *Please note that we have listed the most common versions that can be read in English. |
| Nowzar/Nauzer | Av. naotara-; Phl. nōdar | Ninth Peshdadian king, son of Manuchehr. |
| nowzoodi | Phl. nōg + zōtīh/zādīh; NP. nowzudi | 1. Lit. New life, new birth. 2. Process of becoming of an ordained priest in Iran. (See navjote) |
O
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| Ohrmazd | Av. ahura- mazdā-; Phl. ohrmazd; NP. hormazd; PGuj. hormuzd | See Ahura Mazda, Hormuzd. |
| Ordibeheshtgan | Phl. ardwahištgān; NP. ordibeheštgān | Monthly celebration: day of Ordibehesht and month of Ordibehesht. See Ardibehesht/Asha Vahishta. |
P
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| padan | Av. paiti.dāna-; Phl. padām | Mouth covering worn by priest before the fire. |
| padyab | Av. paiti. ap-; Phl. padyāb | Washing of hands and face. |
| pagri | Hindi pagṛī | Turban worn primarily by priests. |
| Pahlavi | Phl. pahlawīg | Middle Persian language and script, used by the Sasanians for official inscriptions, and literature, including Zoroastrian texts. Zoroastrian books continued to be written in Pahlavi into the 10th century C.E. |
| paidust | The Zoroastrian funeral ceremony. | |
| Paitishahem gahanbar | Av. paitiš.hahiia- + Phl. gāhānbār | The third seasonal festival of the year. Mid-Spring festival, Apr 30 – May 4, month of Shehrevar, in honour of Earth (creation). |
| paivand | Phl. paywand | Ritual connection between priests and family members during a funeral, usually in the form of holding each other’s clothing or a shared handkerchief. |
| panchayet | Skt. pañca– | Governing body of 5 trustees appointed/elected e.g. Bombay Parsi Panchayet (BPP). |
| panthak | PGuj. pantha | 1. Lit. sector, group, or denomination, the leader of which is known as a panthaki or head priest (not to be confused with high priest or dastur). 2. Jurisdiction of a Parsi priest. |
| parab | PGuj. parva | 1. Lit. holiday or festival. 2. Used to refer to occasions when the Yazata/Ameshaspand of the day and month are the same. Its literal corresponding Pahlavi term is jashan. |
| Parsi/Parsee | OP. pārsa-; Phl. pārsīg | A Zoroastrian who is descended from those who left Iran around the 9th or 10th century CE, to settle in north-west India. |
| Patet Pashemani | Av. paitita-; Phl. patit + pašēmānīh | Prayer of repentance. |
| Pateti | Phl. patitīg | Observed on the eve of the Zoroastrian New Year (time of repentance and reflection). |
| patlo | 1. Gujarati term for a wooden platform 3-4 inches high used to stand on during Sagan (blessings). 2. Used by the child/initiate to stand on during the navjote ceremony. | |
| pavi | Phl. pad + āb | Consecrated area for ceremonies in the fire temple marked by a groove/furrow in the floor. It usually remarks the boundary of the Kebla or Urvish Gah and also serves as a means of draining the water used in washing the ritual areas. |
| payman-e-din | Phl. paymān + dēn | One of the kushti prayers. |
| Pazand/Pazend | Phl. pāzand | Middle Persian texts transcribed into Avestan script (Pahlavi written in Avestan alphabet). |
| Peshdadian/Pishdadian | Phl. pēš + dād | The first mythological dynasty of Iranian kings in the Shah Nameh. |
| Pir-e-Herish | Phl. pīr | Shrines in Iran. |
| Pir-e-Naraki | Phl. pīr | Shrines in Iran. |
| Pir-e-Sabz | Phl. pīr | Shrines in Iran. |
| porseh | NP. porseh | Death ceremony/memorial service. |
| Pourdavoud | First one to translate the Avesta and Gathas into Modern Persian. Iranian professor of Linguistics. | |
| Pouruchista/Pouruchisti | Av. pourucištā– | Zarathushtra’s youngest daughter, wife of Jamasp. |
| Pourushaspa | Av. pourušaspa– | Father of Zarathushtra. |
Q
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| Qadisiyya Battle | Along with Nahavand, these were the two definitive battles that ended Sasanian rule in Iran and the start of the Islamic Invasion. |
R
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| Ram | Av. rāman-; Phl. rām | 1. Lit. Peace. 2. Name of a yazata. 3. Day of the month. 4. Name of one of the Yashts in the Avesta. |
| Rapithwan gah/geh | Av. rapiϑβā- + Phl. gāh | Second watch of the day, from noon till 3:00 p.m. Also a ceremony and celebration on Ardibehesht roz and Farvardin mah. |
| Rashne | Av. rašnu-; Phl. rašn | 1. Lit. Right order. 2. Day of the month. 3. Name of one of the Yashts in the Avesta. |
| ratu | Av. ratu-; Phl. rad | Religious teacher/leader. Also used to refer to Divine beings as spiritual lords in Avestan literature. |
| revayat/rivayats | Ar. rivāyat; NP. revāyat | Lit. instruction – the Persian Revayats were communications concerning the religion sent from Iranian Zoroastrians to Parsis between the late 15th and late 18th centuries. |
| Rostam/Rustam | NP. rostam | An eastern Iranian heroic figure, whose stories appear in the Shah Nameh. Iranian male name. |
| roz/roj/ruz | Av. raocah-; Phl. rōz; NP. ruz; PGuj. ruj, roj | Day. |
| Rudabeh | NP. rudābeh | Mother of Rostam in the Shah Nameh. |
| ruvan/ravan | Av. uruuan-; Phl. ruwān; NP. ravān | Lit. Soul. (See urvan) |
S
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| sabzeh | Phl. sabz; NP. sabz(i), sabzeh | Green (vegetables/herbs) – sprouted greens for Nowruz table. |
| sagan | PGuj. shagun | When the candidate is made to wear a garland, tilli, and given gifts of money. It is usually done on a raised platform known as a patlo and is performed by a priest or close family members for navjotes, weddings, birthdays and special occasions. |
| sal/varsi | Phl. sāl; NP. sāl; Skr. varṣa– | The one year death anniversary prayers. |
| Salm/Saam | Phl. salm | 1. Son of Nariman in the Shah Nameh 2. Iranian male name. |
| saoshyant | Av. saošiiaṇt– | A person who brings benefit to the world (Literal translation). In Zoroastrian mythology, the Saoshyant is a succession of three people, who will aid in the final defeat of evil and the renovation of the world at the end of time. |
| sapaat | Parsi Gujarati term for closed-toe, leather slippers worn by both priests and laity. Decorated ones are worn by children on the navjote. | |
| Sarosh vaj | Phl. srōš wāz; NP. soruš bāj; PGuj. saroš vāj | Prayer to untie the koshti in the Kadimi/Irani tradition. |
| Sarosh Yasht Hadokht | Phl. srōš yašt hādōxt | One of the two yashts devoted to Sarosh, named after the Hadokt. |
| Sasanian/Sassanian | Phl. sāsān | Last pre-Islamic, Iranian dynasty. |
| satum/stoom | Av. staoma-, staomi-; Phl. stōm; NP; stum; PGuj. satum | See stom. |
| Sedreh-pooshi | NP. sudreh pušidan; PGuj. sedre-pūšī | The Persian term for initiation. (See navjote) |
| ses | A round metallic tray with auspicious items used on joyous occasions. It usually contains a container for the vermillion paste, rose water and cone known as the soparo. It may also contain a coconut, and garland. | |
| setayesh | Phl. stāyišn; NP. setāyeš | Prayers of offerings and adoration. |
| Shah Nameh | NP. šāh nāmeh | Iranian national epic, composed by Ferdowsi, late 10th-early 11th century C.E. |
| Shahrivar/Shehrevar | Av. xšaϑra- vairiia-; Phl. šahrewar; NP. šahrivar | 1. Amesha Spenta responsible for metals and the sky. 2. Day of the month 3. Name of a month. |
| Shahrivargan | Phl. šahrewargān; NP. šahrivargān | Monthly celebration: day of Shahrivar and month of Shahrivar. |
| Shapur | Phl. šābuhr; NP. šāpur | Sasanian King, common male name. |
| Shenshai/Shahanshahi | Phl. šāhān šāh | 1. Lit. of the King of kings. 2. One of the three calendar conventions most commonly followed by the Parsi community. |
| Siamak | Av. siiāmaka-; Phl. syāmak; NP. siyāmak | Son of Gayomard (Kayomars) in the Shah Nameh. |
| Simorgh | Av. saēna- mərəγa-; Phl. sēn murw; NP. simorγ | Mythical bird in the Shah Nameh. |
| Siroja/See roozeh/Sirozeh/Disi | Phl. sīh rōzag; NP. siruzeh/sirozeh/sirojah | One of the prayers in the death ceremonies performed on the thirtieth day after passing. |
| Siroja/Sirozeh Yasht | Phl. sīh rōzag + yašt; NP. siruzeh/sirozeh/sirojah + yašt | Prayer unto the thirty-three yazatas. |
| Sistan | OP. sakastāna-; Phl. sagestān; NP. sistān | Province of Iran. |
| Siyavaksh/Siyavush | Av. siiāuuaršan-; Phl. s(i)yāwaxš; NP. siyāvuš | Heroic figure in the Shah Nameh. |
| Sizdeh Bedar | NP. sizdeh be-dar | 1. 13th day after Nowruz. 2. In Iran, families go on picnics and also throw the sabzi from the Haft Seen table into a body of water. 3. Some say this is a day of practical jokes and the origin of April Fool’s Day. |
| Sohrab | NP. sohrāb | Son of Rostam in the Shah Nameh. |
| Spendarmad/Sependarmazd | Av. (spəṇtā-) ārmaiti-; Phl. spandarmad; NP. aspandarmad, asfandarmad | (See Armaiti) |
| Spendarmazgan/Sependarmazgan | Av. (spəṇtā-) ārmaiti-; Phl. spandarmad; NP. aspandarmad, asfandarmad | Celebration of Spendarmad roz and mah; parab related to Spenta Armaiti. (See Armaiti) |
| spenta | Av. spəṇta– | ‘Bringing increase’. |
| Spenta Armaiti/Spendarmazd/ Esfandarmad | Av. (spəṇtā-) ārmaiti-; Phl. spandarmad; NP. aspandarmad, asfandarmad | 1. The Avestan noun Spenta Armaiti has been translated to ‘serenity’ and ‘right-mindedness.’ 2. It is the name of one of the seven Amesha Spentas. 3. Day of the month. 4. Name of a month. |
| Spenta Mainyu | Av. spəṇta- mainiiu- | 1. Lit. Beneficent inspiration/spirit. 2. One of the Amesha Spentas connected to humans (creation) 3. Known in opposition to Angra Mainyu. |
| Spentamainyush/Spentomad | Av. spəṇtāmainiiu-; Phl. spandamen | (See Spentomad Gatha) |
| Spentomad Gatha | Av. spəṇtāmainiiu- gāϑā-; Phl. spandamen gāh | The third Gatha. Yasna Chapters 47-50. |
| Spitaman/Espantaman | OAv. spitāma-; YAv. spitama-; Phl. spitāmān | Family name of Zarathushtra. |
| Sraosha/Sorosh/Srosh/ Soroush*/Sarosh | Av. sraoša-; Phl. srōš; NP. soruš; PGuj. saroš | 1. Lit. readiness to listen. 2. Day of the month. 3. Name of a yazata. (The writing of Soroush is due to the French influence of spelling /oo/ with <ou>) |
| Staot(a) Yasna | Av. staota- yesniia- | 1. Lit. to praise. 2. Refers to the Staot or ‘revered’ section of the Yasna starting with Ha 55. |
| stom | Av. staoma-, staomi-; Phl. stōm; NP; stum; PGuj. satum | Prayer recited over meals in honour of the dead. |
| sudreh/sedreh | Lat. sudarium? | The sacred cotton shirt worn by initiated Zoroastrians. |
| sukhad | Skr. sukhad | 1. Lit. giving pleasure 2. Fragrant, tropical softwood (usually sandalwood) used as a ritual offering. |
| supra nu murat/ni reet | PGuj. supra | 1. Lit. winnowing basket. 2. A ceremony to make and apply turmeric paste on the couple the day before the wedding. Four married women perform a winnowing ritual of auspicious items in four baskets, exchanging them in a circle around a mortar and pestle while singing. The metal mortar and pestle is used to make the turmeric paste applied on the bride or groom. |
T
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| Tahmuras/Tehmures/Tehmurasp | Av. taxma- urupi– | King from the Shah Nameh. |
| Takht-e Jamshid/Parseh | NP. taxt-e jamšid | Name of Persepolis in Persian. |
| Tandorosti | Phl. tan + drustīh | Prayer of well-being and good health. |
| Tansar/Tosar | Phl. tansar/tōsar | High priest under the Sasanian king, Ardashir I. |
| Taq-e-Bustan | NP. ṭāq-e bostān | Sasanian monument. |
| Tehran/Teheran | NP. tehrān | Modern capital of Iran. |
| tilli | Skr. tilaka | 1. Lit. mark. 2. A red line/dot made on the forehead with ‘kumkum’ (vermillion paste) on joyous occasions. |
| Tirgan/Tirangan | Phl. tīrgān; NP. tir(an)gān | Festival dedicated to Tishtriya, held in midsummer (parab). |
| Tishtriya/Tir | Av. tištriia-; Phl. tištar/tīr; NP. tir | 1. Water, rain, fertility. 2. Name of a yazata. 3. Day of the month. 4. Name of one of the Yashts in the Avesta. – associated with the star Sirius (Tishtriya). |
| Toor/Tur | Av. tūra-; Phl. tūr; NP. tur | Brother of Salm in the Shah Nameh. |
| topi | PGuj. topi | 1. Lit. hat/cap. 2. A velvet or cotton cap that covers all the hair. Worn by children/adults while reciting prayers or when attending religious ceremonies and rituals. |
| toran | Skr. toraṇa– | A flower or bead garland used to adorn doorways and entrances. |
U
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| Udvada | PGuj. udvāḍā | A village in Gujarat which is the seat of the Iranshah Atash Behram. |
| upasayaeni | Av. (dāitiiō.)upasaiieni.(bauu-) | An offering of a throne to the fire of either 6, 7, or 9 wood pieces. (See maachi) |
| urvan | Av. uruuan-; Phl. ruwān | Soul, spirit; one of the immortal constituents of a human, responsible for good and bad actions performed in the material world. |
| Ushahin gah/geh | Av. ušahina- + gāϑā-; Phl. ušahin gāh | The fifth/last watch of the day, from midnight till sun-rise. |
| Ushtavaiti/Ushtavad | Av. uštauuaitī-; Phl. uštawad | Second Gatha. Yasna Chapters 43-46. |
| uthamna | PGuj. uthamnā | 1. Lit. meaning to get up, to leave. (in reference to the soul leaving the corporeal world.) 2. Ceremony performed on the 3rd day after death (afternoon and midnight). |
| Uziran gah/geh | Av. uzaiieirina- + gāϑā-; Phl. uzērin gāh | Third watch of the day, from 3:00 p.m. till sunset. |
V
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| Vahishtoishti/Vahishtoisht | OAv. vahištōišti-; Phl. wahištōišt | Fifth Gatha. Yasna Chapter 53. |
| Vahram/Verethraghna | Av. vərəϑraγna-; Phl. wahrām, warahrān; NP. bahram, behram | (See Bahram) |
| varadhpatra/varadh patra | Lit. a letter (seeking blessings) of the ancestors. On the 3rd day of the marriage festivities, a satum and baj are performed in memory of the departed ancestors to seek their blessings on the occasion of the marriage which is to be performed the following day. | |
| varasyo/varasyaji | Phl. waras; PGuj. varasyō | Consecrated albino bull. |
| Vidaevo data/Vendidad/ Videvdad/Videvdat | Av. vīdaēuua- dāta-; Phl. wīdēwdād, juddēwdād; NP. vendidād | Literally meaning The Laws Against Evil. It is a later Avestan text used in higher liturgy. |
| Vishtaspa/Gushtasp | Av. vīštāspa-; Phl. wīštāsp; NP. guštāsp, goštāsb | Kayanian king in the time of Zarathushtra. |
| Visparatu/Visperad | Av. vīspa- ratu-; Phl. wīsp(e)rad; NP. visperad | 1. One of the books of the Avesta. 2. A high liturgical service dedicated to Ahura Mazda. |
| Vohu Manah | Av. vohu- manah-; Phl. wahman; NP. bahman | Good mind – one of the Amesha Spentas. (See Bahman) |
| Vohukhshathra | Av. vohu.xšaϑra- | Fourth Gatha. Yasna chapter 51. |
W
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| weh den | Av. vaŋuhī- daēnā-; Phl. weh dēn(ān); NP. behdin(ān) | Good religion – see behdin. |
X
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| xarenah | Av. xvarənah-; Phl. xwarrah, farr(ah); NP. farr | (See khwarenah) |
| Xerxes | Av. xšayaṛšan– | Achaemenid king. |
Y
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| Yalda/Shab-e Chelleh | Syr. yaldā; NP. šab-e čelleh | Winter solstice celebration. |
| yasht | Av. yešti-/yašta-; Phl. yašt | A hymn of praise to one or a group of the yazatas (young Avestan hymns to the yazatas). |
| Yasna | Av. yasna-; Phl. yasn, yazišn; NP. jašan; PGuj. ijasne, yazašnē | Lit. reverance. Term used for the liturgy and its Avestan text. |
| Yatha Ahu Vairyo | OAv. yaϑā. ahū. vairiiō. | See Ahunavar. |
| Yazashne/ijashni | Av. yasna-; Phl. yasn, yazišn; NP. jašan; PGuj. ijasne, yazašnē | The foremost inner liturgy in which haoma is pounded during the recitation of the 72 chapters of the text. (See Yasna) |
| yazata/yazad/izad/yazad | Av. yazata-; Phl. yazd; NP. yazad, izad | Being worthy of reverence. |
| Yazd | Av. yazata-; Phl. yazd; NP. yazad, izad | A city in Iran which is a Zoroastrian stronghold. |
| Yazdegard | Phl. yazdgird | One of several Sasanian kings. |
| Yenghe Hatam | Av. yeŋ́hē. hātąm. | One of the oldest prayers along with Yatha Ahu Vairyo & Ashem Vohu. |
Z
OAv. – Old Avestan, Av. – Avestan, OP. – Old Persian, Phl. – Pahlavi (Middle Persian), NP. – New Persian (Modern Persian “Farsi”), PGuj. – Parsi Gujarati, Skr. – Sanskrit, Ar. – Arabic, Lat. – Latin
| Entries | Etymology | Definitions |
| Zahak/Zohak | Av. aži- dahāka-; Phl. azdahāg; NP. aždahā, zahhāk | Evil king in ancient Iranian myth and Shah Nameh. |
| Zal | Av. zairiiaṇc-? | From the Shah Nameh. |
| Zamyad | Av. zam- + yazata-; Phl. zāmyād | 1. Day of the month. 2. Yasht associated with mountains and the topography of Iran. |
| Zand/Zend Avesta | Av. zaiṇti-; Phl. zand + abastāg, abestāg | Zand exegesis, commentary on the Avesta. Earlier, the term was mistakenly used in reference to the Avestan language and texts alone. |
| zaotar | Av. zaotar-; Phl. zōt | 1. Lit. one who pours. 2. Chief priest in a ceremony. |
| zaothra/zohr | Av. zaoϑra-; Phl. zōhr | Libation during the Yasna ceremony. |
| Zarathushtra | Av. zaraϑuštra-; Phl. zardu(x)št | The name of the Iranian prophet; founder of Zoroastrianism. |
| Zarthoshti/Zarathushti/Zardushti | Av. zaraϑuštri-; Phl. zardušt; NP. zartošti, zardušti | Follower of Zarathushtra. |
| Zartosht-no-diso | PGuj. dis | 1. Lit. death. 2. Zarathushtra’s death anniversary (Dae mah, Khorshed roj/roz). |
