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, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| ab zohr | Offering to the waters. The last part of the Yasna ceremony, when the water and haoma juice are returned to the well. |
| Aban/Avan/Ardvisura Anahita | Female yazata of the benevolent waters. A roz, a month, a niayesh, a yasht. |
| Abangan | Monthly celebration: day of Aban and month of Aban |
| Achaemenian/Achaemenid | Zoroastrian empire that ruled Persia from 550 B.C.E. – 330 B.C.E. |
| achoo-michoo | A 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/Atash | Name of a roz and month. See Atash. |
| Azar Burzin Meher – for the farmers | Ceremonial fires that were formed in the Parthian period. Refer to the Greater Bundahishn for more information. |
| Adar/Azar Farnbagh – for the priests | Ceremonial fires that were formed in the Parthian period. Refer to the Greater Bundahishn for more information. |
| Adar/Azar Gushnasp (Azargoshasp) for the warriors | Ceremonial fires that were formed in the Parthian period. Refer to the Greater Bundahishn for more information. |
| Adaran/Adorian | The second grade of fire in a temple. It is composed of 4 fires compared to an Atash Behram that requires 16 different fires in order to be consecrated. |
| Adarni | 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. |
| Adravanu | A pre-marriage ritual. An engagement/exchange of clothes and ring (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). |
| Adurbad Maraspand/Adurbad-i Mahraspandan | High priest under the Sasanian king, Shapur II. |
| Afargan/Afringan | One section of the Jashan ceremony; also performed by itself. Usually performed in memory of the departed along with the farokshi. |
| afarganyu | A fire holder, fire stand. The Persian word is atashdan. |
| Afrasiab | Character from the Shah Nameh. |
| afrin | Blessings/in praise of; written in Pazend. These are prayed during the conclusion of the Jashan. The Afringan ceremony is a ceremony of blessing. |
| Agiary (PGuj)/dar-e mehr | This is the Parsi term for a fire temple of the second grade. See Adaran. |
| Ahunavad/Ahunavaiti Gatha | The first Gatha, named after the Ahunavar prayer. Yasna chapters 28-34 |
| Ahunavar/Ahuna Vairya | The most ancient, sacred Zoroastrian prayer, which consists of 21 words. |
| Ahura Mazda/Ohrmazd/Hormazd | ‘The Lord of Wisdom’ or ‘the Wise Lord’, name of day, month, yasht. |
| Airyaman | Yazata of friendship. |
| Airyana Vaeja (Av) | Avestan name for Iran |
| Airyemo ishyo | Prayer, Yasna 54. One of the oldest Zoroastrian prayers along with Yatha Ahu Vairyo, Ashem Vohu and Yenghe Hatam. |
| Alborz/Elburz/Hara berezaiti (Av.) | Mountain ranges – with the highest peak at Mount Damavand |
| Ameretat/Amardad/Amordad | Immortality or continuity of life. One of the Amesha Spentas |
| Amesha Spentas (MP) Amshaspandan/ Ameshaspand | The bounteous immortals. |
| Amordadgan | Amordad month and Amordad day coincide (parab). May also refer to the last day of the eighteen-day muktad. |
| Amou Nowruz/Haji Firuz | The benevolent character that represents gift-giving during Nowruz (similar to Western Santa Claus) |
| Aneran | Final day of the month (not to be confused with a similar sounding term that is ‘non-Iranian’) |
| Angra Mainyu/Ahriman | The ‘destructive impulse/spirit’ |
| anjuman/anjoman | Association, community. |
| Ara Antar/hathaveryo (PGuj) | ‘Tying the knot’- part of the Parsi wedding ceremony. |
| aramgah | Place of peace/rest; cemetery (Cyrus’ tomb is referred to as an aramgah) |
| Arda Viraz Namag/Arda Viraf Nameh | Zoroastrian texts |
| Ardibehesht/Ordibehesht | Name of a roz, a month, a Yasht. See Asha Vahishta, also Ordibehstgan. |
| (Spenta) Armaiti/Aspandarmad/Spendarmad | Serenity, ‘right-mindedness.’ One of the seven Amesha Spentas, related to Earth |
| Artaxerxes | Achaemenid king |
| Asha (OAv) | Order, Right, Truth, Righteousness, natural order. |
| Asha Vahishta (OAv) | The best Truth. One of the seven Amesha Spentas |
| ashavan (OAv) | One who follows Asha |
| ashirvad (PGuj) | Wedding blessings |
| Ashishvangh/Ard | A day of the month. Also a Yasht. |
| Ashtad | A day of the month. Also a Yasht. |
| Asman | Sky – a day of the month. Also a Yasht. |
| astodan | Ossuary, ‘bone holder’. |
| Astvat ereta | He who embodies Asha. The name of the final Saoshyant. |
| Atash Bahram/Atash Behram | Highest grade of fire; name of ‘cathedral’ fire temple / ‘Victory Fire’; consecrated using 16 different fires and lengthy rituals. |
| Atash-e-Adaran | Second grade of ritual fire in fire temples. Consecrated using 4 different fires. This is known as the Agiary fire as well. |
| Atash-e-Dadgah | Third and lowest grade of fire, can be in a house or minor fire temple |
| atashgah/atashkadeh | The Persian term for a fire temple/ House of Fire |
| Atash Niayesh | Devotional prayer recited unto the fire. |
| Athra/Adar/Atar/Azar/Atash | Fire |
| athravan (Av) | Priest |
| atash daan | The vessel/container in which the fire is placed in a temple. |
| Avesta | Corpus of religious texts in the Avestan language, with Middle Persian commentary (zand); see Zend-Avesta |
| Avesta ye koshti | Prayer for tying the koshti. |
| Avestan | The Old Iranian language of the oldest parts of the Avesta |
| Aiwisruthrem Gah/Geh | Fourth watch of the day, from sunset to midnight. |
| Ayathrem gahanbar | The fourth seasonal festival of the year. Late Summer Festival, month of Meher, in honour of Plants (creation). Lit. bringing home the herds. |
| Azargan | day of Azar and month of Azar (see Adar) |
| Azi Dahaka | Snake or dragon. Dahaka – also a name for Zahak – character in the Shah Nameh. |
B
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| Bahman | The good mind. The second Amesha Spenta; responsible for animals. See Vohu Manah. |
| Bahram/Vahram/Behram | Name of several Iranian kings. Also a yazata, a roz, a Yasht. Popularly known for victory and good fortune. |
| Bahmangan | Celebration of Bahman month and Bahman day. |
| Bahrot Caves | Where Iranshah was kept in hiding for 12 years from 1393-1405 after Muhammad bin Tughluq attacked Sanjan. |
| baj/vaj | Short prayer. A practice of praying in undertone. Also a higher liturgy used to consecrate dron/darun. May also refer to one’s death anniversary amongst the Parsis. |
| bareshnom/bareshnoom/bareshnum | Nine-night ritual of ablution and purification. |
| baresman/barsom/barsam | The twigs or metal rods held by the priests in ritual. |
| baug (Per) | A garden. A place where weddings or initiations are celebrated; a Parsi housing estate. (PGuj) |
| behdin/ behdinān (plural) weh den (MP) | Of the ‘good religion’. |
| Behistun/Bisotun | Bas relief inscription of Daryavush in Kermanshah province of Iran. |
| boi ceremony | Literally to offer fragrance. 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 | Literally the ‘beginning of creation’; name of a Pahlavi text written in the 9th century and is based on the Avestan Damdad and Chihrdad Nasks. |
C
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| Chahar-Shanbe Suri | Final Tuesday before Norooz. At twilight, people jump over lit bonfires. |
| chaharom/chahrum | The rituals on the fourth day after death. |
| chahartagh | ‘Four-arched’ edifice within which stood a fire holder. Architectural structure within the Kebla. |
| chasni | Consecrated food/post religious ceremony. |
| chinvat peretu pol/pul | ‘Crossing-place of the account-keeper,’ the bridge where the soul is judged at death. |
| chalk | Decorative, colorful designs made on the floor with stencils for joyous occasions by Parsis. Done daily by many Parsis in India. |
D
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| Dae | A roz, a month dedicated to Dadar Hormuzd. |
| Daegan | Monthly celebration: day of Dae and month of Ormazd |
| Daena vanguhi (OAv)/den (MP) | Lit. Good conscience; word for insight/religion. Zarathushtra’s reference to the religion |
| Daepadar/Dae-beh-azar | A roz (day before Adar). |
| Daepmeher/Dae-beh-meh | A roz (day before Meher). |
| Daepdin/Dae-beh-din | A roz (day before Din). |
| daeva (Av)/(OP) daiva/ (Per) div | Demon, false/erroneous god. |
| Daham Yazad | Yazata responsible for the soul’s journey on the 4th day after death. |
| Dakhma/dokhma/dakhmeh | A round, roofless structure set on a hill, where the dead are exposed. Known popularly as a ‘tower of silence’. Dakhmenashini system of exposure in a dakhma. |
| dar-e mehr/darbe mehr | Court of Mithra’ – a fire temple which has no permanently burning fire. |
| Daryavush/Dariush/Daraius/Darius | Achaemenid king – commissioned building of Persepolis. |
| dastur/dastoor | A Zoroastrian high priest; 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 | Text describing ‘Acts of Religion’. |
| Din | A roz, a month, a Yasht. |
| 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 | Prayer of gratitude to Ahura Mazda. |
| Doghdhova/Dughdova/Dogdo | Zarathushtra’s mother. |
| dokhma/dakhma/dokhmenashini | Tower of Silence (India) – see dakhma. |
| dron (darun) | Unleavened wheat bread consecrated by the priest in the Baj and Yazashne/Yasna ceremonies. |
| druj (OAv) | Deceit, chaos, confusion. |
| duzakh/dozakh | Hell. |
E
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| Esfandgan/Spendarmazgan | Monthly celebration: day of Spendarmad and month of Esfand – see Armaiti |
F
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| fargard/pargarad | Chapter of the Vendidad. |
| Farohar/Fravashi (Av)/Fravahar(Asho) | This term is usually translated as ‘guardian spirit’ fravashi the ‘pre-soul’ that pre-exists and post-exists the individual, and is venerated as efficacious on behalf of the living. May also refer to the farrokshi ceremony. |
| farr | The ‘divine fortune or glory’ – Shah Nameh. |
| farrokshi ceremony | Farvardin Yasht with Satum no Karda. Usually prayed alongside the afargan ceremony by a priest. |
| Farziyat Nama | A text describing farajyat or one’s obligatory daily prayers kushti prayers; including Sarosh Baj, Gah, Khorshed and Meher Niayesh in the day, and Sarosh Yasht at night. |
| Feraydun/Feridun/Thraetaona (Av) | Iranian mythical hero who defeated Zohak. |
| Ferdowsi/ Firdowsi Tusi | 10th century Iranian poet and composer of the Shah Nameh. |
| Frashokereti/frashegird (MP) | The making wonderful/perfect’ of the world; the renovation. |
| Fravardegan/Farvardingan/Fravardigan | Celebration of the departed ones – a festival commemorating the fravashis during the last ten days of the year. See muktad. |
| Fravardin/Farvardin | First month of the year (month/day/yazad/yasht). Also known as Arda Fravash. See Farohar/Fravash. |
G
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| gabr | Pejorative term for Zoroastrians after the Islamic invasion (Iranian Zoroastrians in Dari may still refer to themselves as gavroon – origin: cow herder. |
| gahanbar/gahambar | The six seasonal community festivals. |
| Garo demana (Av) garonmana, (MP) garodman | ‘House of song’- also known as garothman behesht. |
| Gathas | 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 |
| Gayomard (Av) Gaya Marethan/Kiumars | The primal mortal. |
| Gah/Geh | The five watches of the day. |
| gavauh | The ceremony at which the bride and groom say their vows. |
| getig/geti (MP) | The corporeal world. |
| Geush Urvan (OAv) | The soul of the cow/earth that calls out to Ahura Mazda in Yasna 29.1 to send a saviour. See Urvan. |
| ghanat/kanat | Architectural feature in Iran. |
| gireban | part of the sudreh – pocket of good deeds. |
| Goosh/Gosh | A roz, a Yasht. Co-worker of Bahman. |
| Govad | The soft wind. A roz. |
H
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| Hadokht | Only existent nask, the 19th out of 21. Also known as the Vendidad. |
| haft seen/haft sheen | 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. |
| hamazor hama asho bed | 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. |
| Hamadan/Hamedan | Otherwise known as Ecbatana |
| Hamaspathmaidyem gahanbar | Last gahanbar of the year. Feast of ‘all souls’, literally ‘coming of the whole group’, Mar 16 – Mar 20. Celebrated during the five Gatha days known in Gujarati as ‘Gatha-Gahambar na divas’. Held in honour of Humans (creation). |
| Hamazoor Bim | One of the concluding Kadimi/Irani Koshti prayers. It focuses on unity and togetherness. |
| hambandagi/humbandagi | ‘Bondedness together’; communal prayer. |
| Hamdins | Fellow community members. |
| hamkars | Helpers of the Amesha Spentas. |
| haoma (MP hom) | The beneficent plant pressed during the Yasna, and offered with milk and water as ab zohr at the end of the liturgy; also a Yazad and Yasht. |
| har | A flower garland worn as part of sagan. May also refer to a necklace. |
| Haurvatat (OAv) | One of the Amesha Spentas: ‘wholeness’ or ‘health’, associated with the waters. |
| Havan Gah/Geh | 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/ervad | ‘Religious teacher’; now, priest who has completed the first level of training (navar). Used as a title for all priests except Dasturs by the Parsi. |
| Hormazd/Hormuzd (Pahlavi) roz, Yasht | Ahura Mazda – God, name of the first day of the month, a roj, and a Yasht. |
| Hormozd I | Sasanian King |
| humata, hukhta, hvarshta (Av) | Good thoughts, good words, good deeds. |
| Hushang/Hoshang | King in the Shah Nameh. Attributed for discovering fire. |
I
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| ijar | A narrow, fitted cotton trouser worn over the legha by priests when performing higher liturgies. May also refer to the trousers worn by children during the navjote. |
| Ijashni (PGuj) | Yazashne (same as Yasna). |
| Iraj/Irach/Erach | From the Shah Nameh (brother of Salm). |
| Isfahan/Esfahan | City in Iran. |
| Isfandiyar/Esfandiyar | From the Shah Nameh. |
J
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| 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 | Priest’s outer robe. Also worn by laymen prior to the twentieth century. |
| Jamshid (King) Yima (OAv) | King in the Shah Nameh and mentioned in the Avesta. |
| Jamshedi Navroz (PGuj) | Another name for Nowruz. |
| jashan | An outer ceremony of thanksgiving and praise. |
| Jashne Mehregan | Day of Mehr, month of Mehr, parab. |
| Jashne Sadeh | 40 days after Yalda – the winter solstice. |
| Jashne Tirgan | Day of Tir, month of Tir, parab. |
| jaziyeh/jizya | Poll tax on non-Muslims. |
| juddin | A non-Zoroastrian. |
K
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| Kabehyeh Zartosht | Site near Naqsh-e-Rostam. |
| Kadmi/Kadimi | Lit. old calendar – one of the three calendar conventions. |
| Kai Kavad/Kobad | From the Shah Nameh. |
| Kai Kavoos/Kavas | Sasanian King/From the Shah Nameh. |
| Kai Khosro/Khosrow/Khushroo | Sasanian King/From the Shah Nameh. |
| karapan | Term for priests during the time of Zarathushtra. |
| Kaveh | Name of a blacksmith – From the Shah Nameh. |
| kavi | Term for tribal rulers during the time of Zarathushtra. |
| Kayanian/Kianian | The second mythological dynasty of Iranian kings. |
| kebla | The inner sanctorum for the fire. |
| Kerdir/Kartir | A powerful priest under several early Sasanian monarchs. |
| Keresaspa/Garshasp/Kersi | Ancient Iranian mythical hero. |
| Khshathra Vairya (OAv) | Avestan name of Shehervar; 4th Ameshaspand. In charge of the sky and metals. |
| Khichdi no divas (PGuj) | A day of fun before the main marriage ritual takes place. When the ‘ukardi kukardi’ game is played. |
| Khodai Namak/Nameh | Predecessor of the Shah Nameh. |
| Khorasan | Where the sun rests. Name of the region – eastern part of Iran/Afghanistan. |
| Khordad (MP) | Third month in the Zoroastrian calendar; dedicated to the Amesha Spenta for water. See Haurvatat. |
| Khordadgan | Celebration of Khordad month and Khordad day, a parab. |
| Khordad Sal | Sixth day of Farvardin month, birthday of Asho Zarathushtra. |
| Khordeh Avesta | Small Avesta’- daily prayer book. |
| Khorshed/Khorshid | A roz, a niayesh, a yasht unto the sun. |
| khushnuman | A prayer or formula of invoking a divine being. |
| khwarenah (Av) (see Farr) | Kharenah (MP khwarrah, NP farr) [divine] fortune or glory. |
| Kisseh-i Sanjan | 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 | Founder of the Achaemenid dynasty, attributed author of the Cyrus cylinder – first Charter of Human Rights. |
| Khshathra Vairya/Shahrivar/Shehrevar | 4th Amesha Spenta responsible for metals and the sky. Also a month and a roz. |
| kushti/koshti (Per)/kusti (PGuj) | 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, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| lagan (PGuj) | Parsi wedding ceremony. |
| legha/legho | Loose fitting trousers worn mainly by men. Also worn by children on the navjote day. |
| loban (PGuj) | Incense, offering to the fire. |
| Lohrasp | Kayanian king |
| lork (NP) | 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, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| maachi (PGuj)/upasayaeni (Av) | An offering of a throne to the fire of either 6, 7, or 9 wood pieces. |
| madhavsaro/madarsaro | Tree-planting ceremony 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. |
| magi/magus/magu (OP) | Priest. |
| mah | Moon or month. |
| Mah Bokhtar | 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 | 2nd last day of the month. |
| Maidyarem gahanbar | 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/Mediomah | Cousin of Zarathushtra, first follower/convert. |
| Maidyoshahem gahanbar | The second seasonal festival of the year. Midsummer festival, Jun 29 – Jul 3, month of Tir, in honour of Water (creation). |
| Maidyozarem gahanbar | The first seasonal festival of the year. Mid-Spring festival, Apr 30 – May 4, month of Ardibehesht, in honour of Sky (creation). |
| mainyu (OAv)/menog (MP)/minoi | ‘Conceptual’ existence – spirit/mentality/mind. |
| Manouchehr/Minocher | King from the Shah Nameh. |
| manthra (OAv)/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. Qualifies the candidate to perform higher liturgies. Can be done at any age. |
| Mashya (male) and Mashyaneh/Mashyani (female) | First humans mentioned in the Bundahishn. |
| Mazdayasni | Mazda worshipper, or pertaining to Zoroastrians. |
| Mithra/Mihr(MP)/Mehr/Meher | Lit. to bind; male yazata of the contract and light. A roz, month, niayesh, yasht. |
| Mehregan | A seasonal celebration in honour of Mithra held in the autumn. |
| Mehrab | Proper name/Mithraic temple. |
| mobed/moobed (Per) | Ordained Zoroastrian priest. |
| Mobedyar | Lay helper to the priest, functions as priest in Iran. |
| Mohr (PGuj) | Name of a roz – see Mah. |
| monajat (PGuj) | Devotional songs in Dari, Persian or Gujarati. |
| muktad (PGuj) | Lit. liberated souls. The last ten days of the year when the departed are believed to visit the living. Parsi celebration before Nowruz. |
N
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| nabor | 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 | Battle between Sasanians and Arabs (major victory for the Arabs) marked the collapse of the Sasanian Empire – 642 C.E., see Qadisiyya. |
| nahn | Ritual bath for purification, performed before Sedreh Pushi/Navjote, Wedding and on the fortieth day after giving birth. May also refer to the period of seclusion after taking the Bareshnum. |
| najes | Arabic term referring to anything that is impure. |
| nask | Lit.bundle – refers to the 21 collections of Avestan texts. With only one surviving till date. Believed to be given to Zarathustra by Ahuramazda. |
| nasu | Dead matter. |
| Nowzar/Nauzer | Ninth Peshdadian king, son of Manuchehr. |
| navjote (PGuj) | The Gujarati term for initiation. (See Sedreh-Pushi). |
| Nowruz/Norooz/Navroz | Literally ‘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. |
| navar (MP)/nowzudi (Per) | First grade of ordination as a priest. |
| Neriosang Dhaval | High Priest from Iran. Arrived in Sanjan and approached King Jadav Rana for refuge. |
| nirang | Libation: consecrated bull’s urine used for purification in nahn ceremonies of the navjote, wedding and bareshnoom. |
| nirang | A powerful, mystical, formulaic prayer (Ardibehest Yasht Nirang, Sarosh Yasht Nirang). |
| nirang-din/nirangdin | Ceremony to consecrate ‘taro’ (unconsecrated bull’s urine). |
| niayesh/nyaesh | Short devotional prayer to (fire, water, sun, and the moon). |
| noghl | Candied nuts. |
O
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| Ohrmazd (MP)/Ahura Mazda (OAv)/Hormuzd (PGuj) | See Hormuzd. |
| Ordibeheshtgan | Monthly celebration: day of Ordibehesht and month of Ordibehesht. See Ardibehesht/Asha Vahishta. |
P
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| padan/paitidana (Av) | Mouth covering worn by priest before the fire. |
| padyab | Washing of hands and face. |
| pagri | Turban worn primarily by priests. |
| Pahlavi | 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 (MP) | The Zoroastrian funeral ceremony. |
| Paitishahem gahanbar | The third seasonal festival of the year. Mid-Spring festival, Apr 30 – May 4, month of Shehrevar, in honour of Earth (creation). |
| panthak (PGuj) | Jurisdiction of a Parsi priest. The leader of which is known as a panthaki or head priest. (Not to be confused with high priest or dastur). |
| parab (PGuj) | Literally means holiday or festival. 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 | 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 | Prayer of repentance. |
| Pateti | Observed on the eve of the Zoroastrian New Year (time of repentance and reflection). |
| patlo (PGuj) | A wooden platform 3-4 inches high used to stand on during Sagan. Also used by the child to stand on during the navjote. |
| pavi | Consecrated area for ceremonies in the fire temple marked by a groove/furrow in the floor. Usually used to remark the boundary of the Kebla or Urvish Gah. Also serve as a means of draining the water used in washing the ritual areas. |
| payman-e-din | One of the kushti prayers. |
| Pazand/Pazend | Middle Persian texts transcribed into Avestan (Pahlavi written in Avestan grammar/alphabet). |
| Peshdadian/Pishdadian | Pishdadian the first mythological dynasty of Iranian kings in the Shah Nameh. |
| Pir-e-Herish | Shrines in Iran. |
| Pir-e-Naraki | Shrines in Iran. |
| Pir-e-Sabz | Shrines in Iran. |
| Porseh | Death ceremony/memorial service. |
| Pourdavoud | First one to translate the Avesta and Gathas into Modern Persian. Iranian professor of Linguistics. |
| Pouruchista (OAv)/Pouruchisti | Zarathushtra’s youngest daughter, wife of Jamasp. |
| Pourushaspa | Father of Zarathushtra. |
| panchayet (PGuj) | Governing body of 5 trustees appointed/elected e.g. Bombay Parsi Panchayet – BPP. |
Q
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| 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, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| Ram | A Yazata pertaining to peace and harmony. Also a roz and Yasht. |
| Rapithwan Gah/Geh | Second watch of the day, from noon till 3:00 p.m. Also a ceremony and celebration on Ardibehesht roz and Farvardin Mah. |
| Rashne | Roz, Yasht. |
| ratu (Av) | Religious teacher/leader. Also used to refer to divine beings as spiritual lords in Avestan literature. |
| ravan/ruvan (MP) | See urvan. |
| revayat/rivayats (Per) | 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 | An eastern Iranian heroic figure, whose stories appear in Shah Nameh, Iranian male name. |
| roz/roj/ruz | Day. |
| Rudabeh | Mother of Rostam, Shah Nameh. |
| ruvan/ravan (MP) | Soul (see Urvan). |
S
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| sabzi/sabzeh | Green (vegetables/herbs) – sprouted greens for Nowruz table. |
| sagan (PGuj) | From the Indic term shagun. When the candidate is made to wear a garland, tilli, and given gifts of money. Usually done on a raised platform known as a patlo. Done by the priest during the navjote. |
| sal/varsi (PGuj) | The one year death anniversary prayers. |
| Salm/Saam | Son of Nariman – From the Shah Nameh, Iranian male name. |
| saoshyant (Av) | A person who brings benefit to the world.’ (Literal translation) In Zoroastrian myth, 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 | Closed-toe, leather slippers worn by both priests and laity. Decorated ones are worn by children on the navjote. |
| Sarosh vaj | Prayer to untie the koshti in the Kadimi/Irani tradition. |
| ses | A round metallic tray with auspicious items used on joyous occasions. Usually contains a container for the vermillion paste, rose water and cone known as the soparo. May also contain a coconut, and garland. |
| Spenta Armaiti (OAv)/ Spendarmad/ Asfandarmad(MP) | The fifth Amesha Spenta; responsible for the Earth. |
| Spentomad Gatha | The third Gatha. Yasna Chapters 47-50. |
| Spendarmazgan/ Sependarmazgan | Celebration of Spendarmad roz and mah; parab related to Spenta Armaiti. See Armaiti |
| Sraosha/Sorosh/Srosh/Soroush (Per)/Sarosh (PGuj) | Day of the Month – ‘readiness to listen’. |
| Sarosh Yasht Hadokht | One of the two yashts devoted to Sarosh. Named after the Hadokt Nask from which it derives. |
| Sasanian/Sassanian | Last pre-Islamic, Iranian dynasty. |
| satum/stum (PGuj) | Prayer recited on meals in honour of the dead. |
| Sedreh pushi | The Persian term for initiation – see Navjote. |
| Sistan | Province of Iran. |
| setayeshe | Prayers of offerings and adoration. |
| Shah Nameh | Iranian national epic, composed by Ferdowsi, late 10th- early 11th century C.E. |
| Shahrivar/Shehrevar/Khshathra Vairya (OAv) | 4th Amesha Spenta. |
| Shahrivargan | Monthly celebration: day of Shahrivar and month of Shahrivar |
| Shapur | Sasanian King, common male name |
| Shenshai/Shahanshahi | In reference to one of the three calendar conventions in the Parsi community. |
| Siamak | Son of Gayomard (Kayomars) Shah Nameh. |
| Simorgh | Mythical bird in Shah Nameh. |
| Siroja/Sirozeh Yasht | Prayer unto the thirty-three yazatas. |
| Siroja/See roozeh/ Sirozeh/ Disi (PGuj) | One of the prayers in the death ceremonies performed on the thirtieth day after passing. |
| Siyavaksh/Siyavush | Heroic figure in the Shah Nameh. |
| Sizdeh Bedar | 13th day after Nowruz – Iranians go on picnics and also throw the sabzi in the water. |
| Sohrab | Son of Rostam in the Shah Nameh. |
| spenta (OAv) | ‘Bringing increase’. |
| Spenta Mainyu (OAv) | ‘Beneficent inspiration/spirit.’ One of the Amesha Spentas. |
| Spentamainyush (OAv)/Spentomad | 3rd Gatha |
| Spitaman(OAv)/Espantaman | Family name of Zarathushtra. |
| Staot(a) Yasna | Staot ‘revered’ section of the Yasna starting with Ha. 55. |
| sudreh/sedreh | The sacred cotton shirt worn by initiated Zoroastrians. |
| sukhad (PGuj) | Fragrant, tropical softwood used as a ritual offering. |
| supra nu murat/ni reet (PGuj) | 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, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| Tahmuras/Tehmures/Tehmurasp | King from the Shah Nameh. |
| Takht-e Jamshid/Parseh | Name of Persepolis in Persian. |
| tandorosti | Prayer of well-being and good health. |
| Tansar/ Tosar | High priest under the Sasanian king, Ardashir I. |
| Taq-e-Bustan | Sasanian monument. |
| Tehran/Teheran | Modern capital of Iran. |
| tilli (PGuj) | A red mark made on the forehead with ‘kumkum’ on joyous occasions. |
| Tirgan | Festival dedicated to Tishtriya, held in midsummer (parab). |
| Tishtriya/Tir | Water, rain, fertility yazata, month, day, yasht – associated with the star Sirius (Tishtriya). |
| Toor/Tur | Brother of Salm. From the Shah Nameh. |
| topi | A velvet or cotton cap that covers all the hair. Worn by children during the navjote ceremony. |
| toran | A flower or bead garland used to adorn doorways and entrances. |
U
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| Udvada | Seat of the Iranshah Atash Behram. |
| urvan (Av) | Soul, spirit; one of the immortal constituents of a human, responsible for good and bad actions performed in the material world. |
| Ushahin Gah/Geh | The fifth/last watch of the day, from midnight till sun-rise. |
| Ushtavaiti (OAv)/Ushtavad (MP) | Second Gatha. Yasna Chapters 43-46. |
| uthamna (PGuj) | Ceremony performed on the 3rd day after death (afternoon and midnight). |
| Uziran Gah/Geh | Third watch of the day, from 3:00 p.m. till sunset. |
V
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| Vahishtoishti (OAv)/Vahishtoisht (MP) | Fifth Gatha. Yasna Chapter 53. |
| Vahram/Verethraghna | 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 (PGuj) | Consecrated albino bull. |
| Vidaevo data/Vendidad/ Videvdad (MP)/Videvdat | The laws against evil’ latter Avestan text. Higher liturgy. |
| Vishtaspa (OAv)/Gushtasp | Kayanian king in the time of Zarathushtra. |
| Visparatu/Visperad | One of the books of the Avesta, a high liturgical service dedicated to Ahura Mazda. |
| Vohu Manah (OAv)/Bahman | Good mind – one of the Amesha Spentas. |
| Vohukhshathra (OAv) | Fourth Gatha. Yasna chapter 51. |
W
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| weh den (MP) | Good religion – see behdin. |
X
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| xarenah (MP xwarrah, NP farr) | See khwarenah. |
| Xerxes | Achaemenid king. |
Y
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| Yalda/Shabe Chelleh | Winter solstice celebration |
| yasht | A hymn of praise to one or a group of the yazatas (young Avestan hymns to the yazatas). |
| Yasna (Av) | Lit. reverance. Term used for the liturgy and its Avestan text. |
| Yatha Ahu Vairyo (OAv) | See Ahunavar. |
| Yazashne/Yasna ceremony/ijashni (PGuj) | The foremost inner liturgy in which haoma is pounded during the recitation of the 72 chapters of the text. |
| yazata/yazad/izad/yazad (MP) | Being worthy of reverance. |
| Yazd | Zoroastrian city in Iran. |
| Yazdegard | One of several Sasanian kings. |
| Yenghe Hatam | Prayer. (One of the oldest prayers along with Yatha Ahu Vairyo & Ashem Vohu). |
Z
OAv – Old Avestan, Av – Avestan, OP – Old Persian, MP – Middle Persian, Per – Persian, PGuj – Parsi Gujarati
| Azi Dahaka (Av)/Zahak/ Zohak | Evil king in ancient Iranian myth and Shah Nameh. |
| Zal | From the Shah Nameh. |
| Zamyad | A roz, a yasht. Associated with mountains and the topography of Iran. |
| Zand/Zend Avesta | Zand exegesis, commentary on the Avesta. Earlier, the term was mistakenly used in reference to the Avestan language and texts alone. |
| zaotar | Lit. one who pours; chief priest in a ceremony. |
| zaothra (Av) zohr (MP) | Libation during the Yasna ceremony. |
| Zarthoshti/Zarathushti/Zardushti | Follower of Zarathushtra. |
| Zarathushtra (OAv) | The name of the Iranian prophet; founder of Zoroastrianism. |
| Zartosht-no-diso (PGuj) | Zarathushtra’s death anniversary (Dae mah, Khorshed roz). |
