The God of Time in Iranian Archaic Culture

Iran, ID CLEaR2015-212

   Since a long time ago, human was searching his source of life and the origin of creation of the world, and by contemplate about universe tries to reveal the secret of time. After the rise of Zoroastrianism in Iran and genesis of Ormazd sacrament, “Ahuramazda” and “Devil” were regard as two sources for universe and the creator of Good and Evil. But, there is evidence that indicates, before the belief in duality among Iranians, their minds were preoccupied with the idea of monotheism (based on the originality of time). Believing in Zorvan (the God of time) had many consequences.  For many centuries believing in fate, fortune, and destiny placed Iranian thoughts under its control.    Iranian Great epic –Ferdosi- was not an exception among these intellectual origins and it seems that the existence of determinism in Ferdosi’s Shahname mostly rooted in Zorvanism.    This research is first going to explain the thoughts and philosophy of Zorvanism in ancient Iran, before and after Zoroaster, then it is going to search this ancient belief in Ferdosi’s epic work Shahname. Since one of the Ferdosi’s references for composing Shahname was the Zoroastrian texts, undoubtedly, Ferdosi was affected of Zorvan ancient rituals.

   Key words: Albino, Fatalism, Ferdosi, Good and Bad, Originality of time, Shahname, Zorvan,