‘Silver’ in the Texts of Avesta

Occupation: Researsher
Affiliation: A. Yu. Krymskyi Institute of Oriental Studies of the NAS of Ukraine, Department of Eurasian Steppe
Address: Kyiv, 4 M. Hrushevskoho Street

Journal name

Vestnik drevnei istorii

Edition

Volume 81 Issue 1

Pages

52-61

Abstract

A context-semantic analysis of the use of the word ‘silver’ (Av. ərəzata-) in Avestan texts is carried out in the paper. There are 12 cases of its usage (Yasna 10.17; Yashts 5.129; 10.112, 125; 17.14; 19.67; Videvdat 7.75; 8.88; 14.11 (2); Aogemadaēca 17; 84). The analysis shows that the word ‘silver’ is used in several different semantic contexts, such as the ritual of Haoma (Yasna 10.17) and the purifying ceremony (Videvdat 7.75). Silver is associated with the concept of ‘brilliance’ and is represented in the descriptions of its various manifestations. The brilliance of silver is associated with the idea of the sun rays manifesting themselves in the image of Mithra (Yasht 10.112), and of lunar splendour (Yasht 10.125). Beaver-skin robe of the goddess Arədvī Sūrā Anāhitā glistens like “silver (and) gold” (Yasht 5.129). The connection of silver with water is confirmed by its inclusion in Iranian hydronymics (Yasht 19.67). The combination “silver (and) gold” may be a metonymic designation for the concept of wealth (Yasht 5.129; 17.14; Aogemadaēca 84). The value of silver was lower than that of gold (Yasna 10.17; Yasht 10.125; Videvdat 7.74–75, 8.87–88; 14.11). Silver is mentioned in the descriptions of the other world: the pantries of the righteous are filled with silver (Yasht 17.14), and the righteous deceased have silver clothes (Aogemadaēca 17).

Keywords

silver, Avesta, Yasna, Yashts, Videvdat, vocabulary, rituals, Zoroastrianism

Received

13.10.2020

Publication date

29.03.2021

Number of characters

23859

Cite

GOST	Vertiienko H. ‘Silver’ in the Texts of Avesta // Vestnik drevnei istorii – 2021. – V. 81. – Issue 1 C. 52-61 [Electronic resource]. URL: http://ras.jes.su/vdi/s032103910013865-4-1-en (circulation date: 22.07.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S032103910013865-4
MLA	Vertiienko, Hanna "‘Silver’ in the Texts of Avesta." Vestnik drevnei istorii 81.1 (2021):52-61. DOI: 10.31857/S032103910013865-4
APA	Vertiienko H. (2021). ‘Silver’ in the Texts of Avesta. Vestnik drevnei istorii 81(1), pp.52-61 DOI: 10.31857/S032103910013865-4

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