A Study of the Status and Biological Rights of Prominent Animals in the Ancient Ritual of Mehr
Akhlāq-i zīstī i.e., Bioethics Journal,
Vol. 10 No. 1 (1399),
28 June 2020
,
Page 323-351
https://doi.org/10.22037/bioeth.v10i1.31616
Abstract
Mehr, Mitra or Mithra is an ancient Aryan or Indo-Iranian divinity before Zoroaster which contains the most important principles and morals including treaty, friendship, devoutness and considering the animals’ and plants’ life rights.
Every animal and their symbols contain a nonmaterial, mythical, humane and moral meaning in Mehr ritual and Mithraism, and humans and animals have their own rights. According to the existing documents, Iran is known to be the main hometown of Mehr; however, there has been few monuments left in this land. The influence of Iranian Mehr on the Western Mehr, due to the function and position of
pictorial and operational symbols of animals, plants and geometrical figures of Mithra after its penetration into the West and affecting the political system and government of Europe and also the people’s beliefs and ideas has been very significant. The significant point in the ancient ritual of Mehr is considering the animals’ rights with the purpose of not annoying them, preventing the opposition to their realm and respecting their life rights. Considering the fact that animals, plants and other creatures in the nature were valuable in the ancient ritual of Mehr, this paper has tried to study the way of this valuation and its performance and the reasons of the Iranians’ interest in the animals. The current survey is going to study the concepts of the Mehr ritual and the animals’ rights with a focus on five distinguished animals in the different eras of Iran using a descriptive-analytical method based on a historical study.
Please cite this article as: Asgari Geloogahi A, Bahrami Kahish Nezhad A, Hassani MM. A Study of the Status and Biological Rights of Prominent Animals in the Ancient Ritual of Mehr. Bioethics Journal, Special Issue on Bioethics and Citizenship Rights 2020; 323-351.
- Mehr Ritual; Mithraism; Animals; Ancient Religions; Rights; Life Rights.
How to Cite
References
Comparti M. Comprehensive History of Iran: Sassanid Archaeological Art. Translated by Jafari Dehghi SH. Tehran: The Great Islamic Encyclopedia; 2012. Vol.4.
Amouzgar ZH, Tafazoli A. The myth of Zoroaster's life. Tehran: Cheshmeh; 2010.
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals Federation. 2010.
Warner R. Encyclopedia of World Mythology. Translated by Esma'ilpour A-GH. Tehran: Myth Publication; 1999. p.169.
Genius PH. Ardaviraf letter. Translated by Amouzgar JH. Tehran: Mo'in Publication; 1998.
Mazdapour K. Worthy is unworthy. Tehran: Institute of Cultural Studies and Research; 1990. p.107.
Pourdavoud E. Avesta Yashtha. 2nd ed. Tehran: No Name; 1947.
Martine V. Dieu Mysterieux Mithra a Secret God. Translated by Bozorgzade N. Tehran: Cheshmeh Publication; 2014. p.25, 50, 62, 70.
Benveniste E. The Persian Religion According to the Chief Greek texts 1195. Paris: No Name; Na Date. p.145.
François V, Marie C. Mysteries of Aitra Mitra. Translated by Razi B. Tehran: No Name; 2016.
Olanci D. New Research in Mithraism. Translated by Amini M. Tehran: Cheshmeh Publication; 2011. p.114.
Rostampour S. Seal worship in Indo-Roman Iran. Tehran: Khorshidafarin Publication; 2003.
Gonda J. Mitra in India; Mithraic Studies. Proceedings of the First International. Amsterdam: Amsterdam Acad Press; 1975.
Beck R. In the place of the Lion: Mithras in the Tauroctony. Edited by Hinnells JR. London: No Name; No Date. p.50, 76-77.
Moghaddam M. An Inquiry into Mehr and Nahid. Tehran: Hirmand Publication; 1999. p.10, 32-35, 104.
Merkel R. Mitra a in and History. Translated by Golizadeh T. Tehran: Akhtara Publication; 2008. p.11, 15.
Bobs M. The role of Seal in Zoroastrian religion; (Seal in ancient Iran and India). Translated by Gha’em Maghami AR. Under the supervision of Babak 'Alikhani. Tehran: Ghoghnous Publishing; 2005.
Duchenne Gaiman J. Religions of Ancient Iran. Translated by Ajoudani A. Tehran: Sales Publication; 2007. p.11.
Roman G. Iranian Art during the Parthian and Sassanid. Tehran: Elmi farhangi Publication; No Date. p.113.
Common F. Eastern religions in the Roman Empire. Translated by Mo'allm M, Orujnia P. Tehran: Samt Publication; 1998. p.34.
Gholizadeh KH. Mythological Encyclopedia of Animals. Tehran: Parseh Publication; 2013.
Prebsskof N. Ways of early lovemaking; the religion of love in the ancient world. Collection of reports of the Second International Congress of Mehrology. London: Tous Publication; 1981. p.41-99.
Shorthaim EL. The Spread of an Iranian Religion in Europe. Translated by Gholi Derakhshani N. Tehran: Sales Publication; 2008.
Tim P. The concept of seal in Aryan beliefs. Translated by Gha'em Maghami AR. Mehr in Ancient Iran and India, under the supervision of Babak Alikhani. Tehran: Ghoghnous Publication; 2005.
Clauss M. The Roman Cult of Mithras: The God and His Mysteries. Tanslated by Francis T. No Place: No Name; No Date.
Boyce M. A History of Zoroastrians of their beliefs and religious customs. Translated by Bahrami A. Tehran: Ghoghnous Publication; 1982. p.63.
Collins Jean B. A History of the animal world in the ancint near east. No Place: Leiden Publication; 2002.
Eliadeh M. Encyclopedia of Religion. Lindsey Jones editor in chief. 22th ed. No Place: No Name; 2005.
Boyce M. On Mithraʼs part in Zoroastrianism. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies. London: University of London Press; 1969. Vol.32 No.1, 10.
Bivar ADH. The Personalities of Mithra in Archaeology and Literature. New York: No Name; 1988.
Shoalie J, Gerbran A. Culture of symbols. Translated by Faza'eli S. Tehran: Jeihun Publication; 1999.
Cumont F. The mysteries of Mithra. New York: No Name; 1903.
Sarkhosh Curtis V. Persian Myths. Translated by Mokhber A. 6th ed. Tehran: Markaz Publication; 1916.
Gershevitch I. The Avstan Hymn to Mithra. Cambridge: University of Columbia; 1967.
Merkelbach R. Mitra: Religion and history. Translated by Golizadeh T. Tehran: Akhtaran Publication; 2008.
Dadvar M. Introduction on the Myths and Symbols of Iran and India in Ancient Time’s. 11th ed. Tehran: Kalhor Publication; No Date. p.76.
Roghayeh B. Painting of Western and Eastern Symbols. Tehran: Mo'aser Publication; 2001. p.13, 45.
Hinnells John R. Mithraic Studies. Proceedings of the First International Congress of Mithraic Studies. Manchester: Manchester University Press; 1975. Vol.2.
Mohammad Rashed MT. Religions Rescue. Tehran: Elmi va Farhangi Publication; 1998. p.77.
Anoshe H. The Median and Achaemenian Periods. Tehran: Amirkabir Publication; 1998. p.38-43.
Almeida M. Notas Historicas Ecriticas Sobre o Cristo persa e o Cristo Judea. No Place: No Name; No Date. p.42-74, 132.
Jaime Alvar E. Romanising Oriental Gods, Myth, Salvation and Ethics in the Cults of Cybele, Isis and Mithras. No place: Richard Press; 2008.
Autran S. Mithra, Zoroastre ET la Prehistoire Aryenne Duchristianisme. Avec vingt-trois illustrations Hors Texte. Paris: Payot Avesta; 1931. p.14, 16-17. 179.
Roger B. Planetary gods and planetary orders in the mysteries of Mithras. Burlington: VT Ashgate Publication; 1998.
Behn F. Das Mithrasheiligtum zu Dieburg. Berlin: Leipzig Gruyter Publication; 1928. p.109.
Walter B. Study mithraici e mazdei. Roma: Istituto diglottologia Della Universit: Centro Culturale Italo Iraniano; 1977.
Bettany GT. The great Indian religions: Being a popular account of Brahmanism. Hinduism: Buddhi Publication; 1892.
Betz H. Dieter Gottesbe gegnung und Menschwerdung: Zureligionsgeschichtlichen und theologischen Bedeutung der Mithrasliturgie. Berlin: PGM; 2001. p.182, 475, 820.
Harald S. Mithra, Oder, Warum Gott Vertrag beim Aufgang der Sonne in Wehmut zureuckblickte. Meunchen: Wilhelm Fink Verlag; 2008. p.78-79.
Toynbee JMC. A silver Casket and Strainer from the Walbrook Mithraeum. London: Leiden Publication; 1963. p.24, 90.
Toynbee JMC. The Roman art treasures from the Temple of Mithras The Society. London: No Name; 1986. p.97.
Robert C, Assche V. Mithra ET le Christ. Paris: Cercle Ernest Renan Publication; 1972.
Brown S. Methodology in the interpretation of Roman Mithra imagery. No Place: No Name; 2012. p.105-211.
Berlin JF. Parallel Myths. Translated by Mokhber A. Tehran: Markaz Publications, 2007. p.32-33.
Peron S. Roman Mythology. Translated by Farrokhi B. Tehran: Asatir Publications; 2002. p.201.
- Abstract Viewed: 329 times
- pdf (فارسی) Downloaded: 183 times