[Beings](beings.md) [Mortals](human.md) [Warrior-Kings](king-ruler-chief-leader-lord.md) [[bird-king-halo]] # Khvarenah Iranian kingly radiance, bird-form ## Scholarship [[e-campanile 1988]] [[lincoln1981]]p77-78 ## Other Unlike in the Greco-Roman world, where the halo was forgoten [except christianity], in Iran it developed into the *khvarenah*, an important concept in Mazdaic theology. #### Etymology (Av. ***xᵛarənah***) corresponds to (OInd. ****svarṇas-*** '*sunshine*'). Both are derived from the name of the sun. #### Def Usually a radiance around the head of a man in possesion of it. In Avestan culture this light was a gift from God granted to his most eminent believers. It represents a presage that they will achieve victory and prosperity. In the Gathas (Y.51.18) noble neophytes recieve ***xᵛarənah*** and (***xšaθra-*** 'imperium') when they convert, in other words, promise and fulfillment. [Mithra](mithra.md) had the epithets "giver of ***xᵛarənah***" and "giver of ***xšaθra-***" (Yt.10.16). #### Sasan - "Pāpak dreamt that a sun was shining from Sasan's head; in both cases [refering to the Roman case of Servius Tullius] this light is both presage and guaranty of a kingly destiny it is the 'royal *xvarenah*'." #### Yima - In Yt.19 the story of Yima is told, who, having done great deeds, thought he was a god and wanted to be adorned; but "when he had this false and deceitful thought, the ***xᵛarənah*** was seen to fly away from him in a bird's form". This matches perfect with the Irish ***én gaile*** 'battle-rage bird' form of [Lúan Láith](luan-laith.md). ## External Links [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khvarenah)