Information About

Zurvan
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Zurvan is the Persian God of Infinite Time , Space and Fate . The deity is traditionally represented as being nameless (the name ''Zurvan'' being an appellative title), Without Gender and passions, and neutral in regard to Good and Evil . In certain strains of Zoroastrianism , Zurvan is also the father of the good deity, Ahura Mazda , and the evil deity, Angra Mainyu .

Zurvan is often depicted as a winged figure with the head of a lion and a serpent wrapped around the body.

There are three different opinions among scholars regarding the origin of this teaching:

  • Some assert that Zurvan was part of the original teachings of Zoroastrianism

  • Some assert that Zurvan was a local deity who predated the Zoroastrian religion

  • Some assert that Zurvan was a later addition to Zoroastrian belief


The earliest solid evidence for a belief in Zurvan seems to date from the Sassanid Dynasty , which ruled Persia from 224 to 651 .

Historians who differentiate between orthodox Zoroastrianism and the "Zurvanite heresy" sometimes refer to the latter as Zurvanism. Other scholars question whether or not "Zurvanism" can be considered a separate faith.


ZURVAN IN WESTERN ESOTERIC THOUGHT


The Theosophist Helena Blavatsky asserted that Zoroaster taught that Zurvan was the father of Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu.


EXTERNAL LINKS




ADDITIONAL READING


  • Zaehner, Robert Charles. ''Zurvan: A Zoroastrian Dilemma.'' Biblo-Moser (1972), ISBN 0819602809. The classic work examining the uncertain history of belief in Zurvan.