Persian Flood Myth by Owen Borville April 12, 2025
The Persian flood myth is a fascinating tale rooted in Zoroastrian religion and beliefs, being the main religion of Persia and central Asia more than 3,000 years ago. It describes how the angel Tistar, associated with the star Sirius, descended to Earth in three forms—man, horse, and bull—causing ten days and nights of rain each time. The rain drops were said to be as large as bowls, and the floodwaters rose to the height of a man, covering the entire Earth1.
The first flood drowned the evil creatures created by Ahriman, the embodiment of chaos and destruction. However, their remains seeped into the Earth, necessitating a second flood. Before this second flood, Tistar, in the form of a white horse, battled the demon Apaosha, who appeared as a black horse. With the help of Ormuzd (Ahura Mazda), who struck the demon with lightning, Tistar prevailed. The second flood purified the land, washing away the poison left by the creatures and making the seas salty1.
The floodwaters were eventually driven to the ends of the Earth by a great wind, forming the sea Vourukasha, known as the "Wide-Gulfed Sea". This myth reflects the Zoroastrian themes of the eternal struggle between good and evil and the cleansing power of water. (curioustaxonomy.net)
Another version of the Persian flood myth involves the central character Yima (also known as Jamshid in later traditions and in the epic poem Shahnameh) and is a fascinating tale of survival and renewal. In Zoroastrian mythology, Yima was a legendary king during a golden age when there was no death, disease, or suffering. However, this era was foretold to end with a catastrophic winter and flood.
Ahura Mazda, the supreme god, instructed Yima to build a vast underground enclosure called the vara. This structure was designed to preserve the best specimens of humans, animals, and plants to ensure the survival of life during the impending disaster. The vara was said to be self-sustaining, with its own light and resources, allowing its inhabitants to endure the harsh conditions outside.
This myth reflects themes of divine guidance, preservation, and renewal, paralleling other flood myths like Noah's Ark or the Epic of Gilgamesh. However, the Persian version uniquely emphasizes Yima's role as a cultural hero and the importance of creating a sanctuary for life.
Flood myths across cultures of the ancient world share striking similarities, yet each reflects the unique worldview of the society that created it. The Persian flood myth, for instance, emphasizes the cosmic battle between good and evil, with the angel Tistar purifying the Earth through floods. This aligns with Zoroastrian themes of moral duality and the cleansing power of water.
Comparatively, the Babylonian flood myth in the Epic of Gilgamesh also involves divine intervention, where Utnapishtim is warned by the god Ea to build a boat to survive a deluge meant to cleanse humanity's wickedness. Similarly, the Biblical story of Noah's Ark portrays a flood as divine judgment, with Noah tasked to save his family and animals to repopulate the Earth.
In South American legends, such as the Muisca tale, floods are often depicted as acts of wrath by gods displeased with humanity. The Maya's Popol Vuh describes a flood sent to destroy wooden creatures, emphasizing the theme of renewal.
While the Persian myth focuses on the purification of the Earth and the battle against evil, other myths often highlight themes of survival, divine judgment, and rebirth. These narratives collectively underscore humanity's deep connection to water as both a destructive and life-giving force.
The Persian flood myth is a fascinating tale rooted in Zoroastrian religion and beliefs, being the main religion of Persia and central Asia more than 3,000 years ago. It describes how the angel Tistar, associated with the star Sirius, descended to Earth in three forms—man, horse, and bull—causing ten days and nights of rain each time. The rain drops were said to be as large as bowls, and the floodwaters rose to the height of a man, covering the entire Earth1.
The first flood drowned the evil creatures created by Ahriman, the embodiment of chaos and destruction. However, their remains seeped into the Earth, necessitating a second flood. Before this second flood, Tistar, in the form of a white horse, battled the demon Apaosha, who appeared as a black horse. With the help of Ormuzd (Ahura Mazda), who struck the demon with lightning, Tistar prevailed. The second flood purified the land, washing away the poison left by the creatures and making the seas salty1.
The floodwaters were eventually driven to the ends of the Earth by a great wind, forming the sea Vourukasha, known as the "Wide-Gulfed Sea". This myth reflects the Zoroastrian themes of the eternal struggle between good and evil and the cleansing power of water. (curioustaxonomy.net)
Another version of the Persian flood myth involves the central character Yima (also known as Jamshid in later traditions and in the epic poem Shahnameh) and is a fascinating tale of survival and renewal. In Zoroastrian mythology, Yima was a legendary king during a golden age when there was no death, disease, or suffering. However, this era was foretold to end with a catastrophic winter and flood.
Ahura Mazda, the supreme god, instructed Yima to build a vast underground enclosure called the vara. This structure was designed to preserve the best specimens of humans, animals, and plants to ensure the survival of life during the impending disaster. The vara was said to be self-sustaining, with its own light and resources, allowing its inhabitants to endure the harsh conditions outside.
This myth reflects themes of divine guidance, preservation, and renewal, paralleling other flood myths like Noah's Ark or the Epic of Gilgamesh. However, the Persian version uniquely emphasizes Yima's role as a cultural hero and the importance of creating a sanctuary for life.
Flood myths across cultures of the ancient world share striking similarities, yet each reflects the unique worldview of the society that created it. The Persian flood myth, for instance, emphasizes the cosmic battle between good and evil, with the angel Tistar purifying the Earth through floods. This aligns with Zoroastrian themes of moral duality and the cleansing power of water.
Comparatively, the Babylonian flood myth in the Epic of Gilgamesh also involves divine intervention, where Utnapishtim is warned by the god Ea to build a boat to survive a deluge meant to cleanse humanity's wickedness. Similarly, the Biblical story of Noah's Ark portrays a flood as divine judgment, with Noah tasked to save his family and animals to repopulate the Earth.
In South American legends, such as the Muisca tale, floods are often depicted as acts of wrath by gods displeased with humanity. The Maya's Popol Vuh describes a flood sent to destroy wooden creatures, emphasizing the theme of renewal.
While the Persian myth focuses on the purification of the Earth and the battle against evil, other myths often highlight themes of survival, divine judgment, and rebirth. These narratives collectively underscore humanity's deep connection to water as both a destructive and life-giving force.