Place of Origin: Ancient Persia (Greater Iran)
Origin Date: Circa 1200 BCE (Avestan period)
Domain: Rain, fertility, and cosmic order
Symbols: The star Sirius, rain, and a white stallion
Attributes: Bringing rain, ensuring fertility, and combating drought
Epithets: The Rain-Bringer, Guardian of Fertility, Celestial Archer
Equivalents: Often associated with the Mesopotamian god Nabu and the Greek god Apollo (in his role as a celestial archer).
Religion: Zoroastrianism
Sacred Texts: Avesta (Tishtar Yasht, circa 1200 BCE)
Iconography: Tishtrya is often depicted as a radiant white horse or a celestial archer, symbolizing his purity and life-giving powers.
Relations: Ahura Mazda (creator), Yazatas (divine collective)
Description
Tishtrya is a revered Yazata in Zoroastrianism, associated with life-bringing rainfall and fertility. He is closely linked to the star Sirius, symbolizing his celestial power and role in sustaining life on Earth. In Zoroastrian cosmology, Tishtrya is celebrated for his cosmic battle against the demon Apaosha, who brings drought. Taking the form of a radiant white stallion, Tishtrya engages in this struggle to ensure the flow of rain and the fertility of the land. His significance is highlighted in the Tishtar Yasht of the Avesta, where his divine attributes and victories are praised.
Narratives:
The Battle with Apaosha: Tishtrya, in the form of a white stallion, battles the drought-bringing demon Apaosha to secure rain for the parched earth. (Source: Boyce, M. (1975). Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. Routledge.)
The Celestial Archer: Tishtrya is depicted as a heavenly archer, dispelling darkness and drought with his divine arrows. (Source: Boyce, M. (1983). A History of Zoroastrianism. Brill.)
Worship Beliefs and Practices
Tishtrya was honored through prayers and rituals invoking rain and fertility. The festival of Tiregan celebrated his role in bringing life-giving water to the earth.