A Thematic and Etymological Glossary of Carnivorous Animals Based on the Pahlavi Text of Iranian Bundahishn

Author: Golnar Ghalekhani and Mahdi Khaksar

Download PDF

Abstract

The purpose of this study was a thematic-etymological investigation based on the names of carnivorous animals mentioned in Iranian Bundahishn. In this study, after mentioning the names of carnivorous animals alphabetically, the genus of each of them was presented in accordance with Bundahishn. Afterwards, certain parts of the aforementioned book which dealt with each of the animals were presented. Next, the etymology of the name of each animal was dissected in different languages including Indo-European, Sanskrit, Avestan, Khotanese, Middle Persian, Chorasmian, Sogdian (Christian, Manichaean, and Buddhist) and New Persian. Finally, the gradual change in the names of animals from Old Persian, to Middle and then to New Persian was made clear. It is hoped that the present study would be helpful for those who are interested in Ancient Iran and those who are intrigued by the etymology of the name of animals.

Keywords

Carnivorous animals, Genus, Iranian Bundahishn, Ancient languages, Middle era, New Persian, Etymology

Conclusion

The book Bundahishn provides us an exhaustive classification of animals and the way they are divided into various groups. Based on its classification, all the animals are initially divided into three major catogries: land genera, bird genera, and aquatic genera. The animals investigated and studied in this research include 13 carnivorous animals which dwell on amongst the earthly creatures: the first group comprises of Tiger, Leopard, Tureh (jackal), lion, Hyena, and Cheetah which all belong to the wolf-species; these are wild animals amongst which the Jackal, Hyena, and Cheetah are cave-diggers, the Leopard is mountain-climber, and the lion is regarded as an Ahriman animal, i.e. a creature of the evil spirit. The second group is consisted of Weasel, Fox, Hedgehog, and dog which all belong to dog-species. These four animals are in opposition to the wolf-species and deemed to be Ahuric (of the good spirit). The presence of hedgehog in this group is noticeable s

References

-

How to cite this article

Golnar Ghalekhani and Mahdi Khaksar (2016). A Thematic and Etymological Glossary of Carnivorous Animals Based on the Pahlavi Text of Iranian Bundahishn , Biological Forum – An International Journal 8(1): 287-294.