Fire_in_ancient_Iranian_culture
Fire is one of the elements that was praised and venerated by the ancient Iranians. Fire is in the Avesta as Atash or Atar, in Pahlavi literature atour or atakhsh; or in Persian literature, fire is known as azar or athash. The guardian angel of fire is known as Atouryast in Pahlavi literature, and in Persian literature Azarizad (Azar + Izad, which means Fire + Goddess). Due to the importance of the position, the Angel has been called the son of Ahura Mazda refer the Khordeh Avesta- Atash Niyash, litany to fire where Atash is called the son of Ahura Mazda. In ancient Iranian ritual, in order to appease the fire angel, fragrant woods or sandalwood were constantly applied in fire temples and fires in homes, this is done to this day, in over 300 consecrated Fire Temples like Udvada Atash Behram by Parsis and Iranian Zoroastrians. In the religion of Zoroastrianism, fire is a sign of purity and truth, and Ardibehesht (in New Persian the second month of the Zoroastrian calendar[1]) is its guardian. Ancient Iranian legends attribute the discovery of lighting a fire with two stones to King Hushang of Pishdadian dynasty. The tradition also survives in Sadeh celebration, which still makes it popular.[clarification needed]