Atar ( avest ) - in Iranian mythology, the deity of fire. In the Rig Veda, atharyu is an epithet with the meaning of "flaming."
Three fires always burned in Zoroastrian temples: “Atar Gushtasp” (Fire of kings), “Atar Farnbak” (Fire of priests) and “Atar Barzenmikhr” (Fire of a warrior). They symbolized the three paths in life, and for each of them there were altars of a special form. For the fire of kings - a bud whose petals resembled a crown, for the fire of priests - in the form of a volcano, for the fire of warriors - a trihedral pyramid resembling a sword blade.
Interpretations in various teachings
In the Gat teaching, Atar is not an independently acting force, but an external manifestation and symbol of a higher deity, and sometimes his body.
In the Younger Avesta, Atar was treated as a separate person with his own will.
According to Videvdat and Yashtu, Atar fought with the forces of darkness and, in particular, with the dragon Azhi-Dahak , in particular, for the right to possess the attribute of regality - it is hvarna.
See also
- Hushang
- Farn