suraanahita

[suraanahita]

Portrait of a Zoroastrian or Jewish woman, Iran ca. 1880s-1928

This photo was taken by Antoin Sevruguin, a photographer of Georgian and Armenian descent who was based in Qajar Iran. He took many landscape, architectural, and ethnographic photos. The woman in this picture has been identified by Smithsonian curators as probably Zoroastrian, but "on verso of the print, handwritten caption (penciled, probably by Antoin Sevruguin) in French reads, "Dame guèbre." On verso of the print, handwritten caption (penciled) in English reads, "Jewess.""

[suraanahita]

As a behdīn (zartošti) myself, I just wanted to say that this is adorable and the description / thought behind her design is really heartfelt. :')

From a Zoroastrian memes page on Facebook.

"Meet Anaghra (Avestan: "light"), the Zoroastrian answer to Luce (maybe her older sister? wise cousin?)!

She proudly wears her traditional Iranian Zoroastrian garb in the bakht (Farsi: "lucky") colors of red (symbolizing life and courage) and green (symbolizing nature and growth) and embroidered with the worshipful Hvare (Avestan: "Sun") and Mah (Avestan: "Moon"). On one hand she holds aloft the Gathas of Zarathushtra, the core and original texts of Zoroastrianism, and on the other she clutches the barsom, sacred twigs used in Zoroastrian rituals. The sacred fire, holy Atar, always shines in her pious eyes and she wears her golden fravahar necklace proudly symbolizing not just her Zoroastrian faith but also the Xwarenah, the divine glory of Ahura Mazda bestowed upon the pious and heroic. She's a happy sort because joy is central to Zoroastrianism and so is spreading it!

Say hello to Anaghra and feel free to use her in any comics, memes, etc! Maybe she can instruct Luce on the Path of Asha?

(This image of Anaghra is a gift from a non-Zoroastrian friend who wanted to give a gift to the community, uncredited. Thanks, friend!)"

[suraanahita]

In Karaj, Iran, a young boy lights a candle in observance of Mehregan, a Zoroastrian festival also known as the Persian Festival of Autumn. The festival honors the religion's divine being responsible for friendship and love.

Newsha Tavakolian

[suraanahita]

This is a little different from my usual content, but I wanted to share some excerpts of key HHD texts that are resonating deeply this year.

The first is from Parashat Nitzavim, the Torah portion that we read right before Rosh Hashanah and the High Holidays. G-d says to the Israelites:

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day: I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life—if you and your offspring would live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

I have also been struck by the Haftarah for Yom Kippur, which is longer and reads in part:

“Cry with full throat, without restraint; Raise your voice like a ram’s horn! Declare to My people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sin.

To be sure, they seek Me daily, eager to learn My ways. Like a nation that does what is right, that has not abandoned the laws of its G-d, they ask Me for the right way, they are eager for the nearness of G-d:

‘Why, when we fasted, did You not see? When we starved our bodies, did You pay no heed?’ Because on your fast day you see to your business and oppress all your laborers!

Because you fast in strife and contention, and you strike with a wicked fist! Your fasting today is not such as to make your voice heard on high.

Is such the fast I desire, a day for people to starve their bodies? Is it bowing the head like a bulrush and lying in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call that a fast, a day when G-d is favorable?

No, this is the fast I desire: to unlock the fetters of wickedness, and to untie the cords of the yoke to let the oppressed go free; to break off every yoke.

It is to share your bread with the hungry, and to take the wretched poor into your home; when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to ignore your own kin.

Then shall your light burst through like the dawn and your healing spring up quickly; your Vindicator shall march before you, the Presence of G-d shall be your rear guard.

Then, when you call, G-d will answer; when you cry, [G-d] will say: Here I am. If you banish the yoke from your midst, the menacing hand, and evil speech.

And you offer your compassion to the hungry and satisfy the famished creature—Then shall your light shine in darkness, and your gloom shall be like noonday.

G-d will guide you always—Slaking your thirst in parched places and giving strength to your bones. You shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose waters do not fail” (58:1-58:11).

[suraanahita]

Astvat.ərəta is one of the eschatological sons of Zarathustra (viz. Pahlavi narrative of the 3 “saviours” - or more natively/properly the 3 benefactors or saošyant), and he has nothing to do with Muhammad, like at all. He is not manifest yet, as THE saošyant who will incur frašokərəti, the final renovation of the cosmos. He is foreseen to be conceived in Lake Kąsaoya that preserves the seed of Zarathustra (ex: Vendīdād 19.5), which draws its waters from the river Haētuman (likely the Helmand River). Zam Yašt, Yt 19.92:

āat̰astvat̰-ərətō fraxštāite

haca apat̰ kąsaoyāt̰

aštō mazdā̊-ahurahe 

vīspa-taurvayā̊ puϑrō

vaēδəm vaējō yim vārəϑraγnəm

yim barat̰taxmō ϑraētaonō

yat̰ažiš-dahākō jaini :

“When Astvat.ərəta shall come forth, out from the lake Kąsaoya, the messenger of Mazdā-Ahura, the son of Vispā.taurvairī, brandishing his Obstruction/Obstacle smashing weapon, which the mighty ϑraētaona (Pers. Fereydūn/Faridūn) carried (too) whence the Aži Dahāka (Pers. Zahak) was smashed.”

The review about the Prophecy in Zend Avesta, Zamyad Yasht, Chapter XVI, Verse 95.

[suraanahita]

Farzin Yezishne, a Zoroastrian mobed (priest), performs a blessing ceremony at a home in Karachi, Pakistan. He wears a veil to protect the purity of the fire.

MATTHIEU PALEY

[suraanahita]

Zoroastrianism in India

BALAZS GARDI & MATTHIEU PALEY

[suraanahita]

Chin up, trust !

[suraanahita]

in a loving and fulfilling relationship with a beautiful and kind woman named internet archive

[suraanahita]

I really wanted to draw at least something for Swordtember hehe, ladies with swords are always fun to draw c:.

[suraanahita]

over it october. no energy november. defeated december..

[suraanahita]

you can literally say anything to men, it doesn’t matter

[suraanahita]

Love cat mini figurines 💖

[suraanahita]

[suraanahita]

im pregnant and its nobodys. it aint even mine

[suraanahita]

doodle and wip

[suraanahita]

Happy Nowruz to all Iranians and people who celebrate this day. I hope it's a good year for everyone 🌱☀️🪻