Ahriman

Ahriman

Ahriman (also known as Angra Mainyu in Avestan, the language of the Avesta) is a central figure in Zoroastrianism, representing the destructive spirit and the source of all evil. Understanding Ahriman is crucial to grasping the dualistic cosmology inherent in this ancient religion. This article will provide a comprehensive, yet accessible, introduction to Ahriman, his nature, his role in the cosmic struggle, and his relationship to other key concepts within Zoroastrian thought.

Origin and Nature

Ahriman is not considered to be *created* but rather co-eternal with Ahura Mazda, the supreme god representing goodness. This co-eternality is a cornerstone of the Zoroastrian dualistic worldview. Before creation, both Ahura Mazda and Ahriman existed in a state of potential. Ahriman, characterized by negativity, falsehood, and chaos, initiated the first assault on the perfect creation of Ahura Mazda.

Ahriman is often described as having a dark and formless essence. He doesn't possess a physical body in the traditional sense but manifests through destructive forces and influences in the world. He is the originator of all that is harmful, including disease, suffering, and death. His purpose is to oppose the progress of Spenta Mainyu, the Holy Spirit, and to ultimately unmake creation.

The Cosmic Struggle

The entire history of the universe, according to Zoroastrian belief, is a battleground between Ahura Mazda and Ahriman. This struggle isn't simply a physical conflict; it’s a moral and spiritual one playing out across all realms of existence, including the world of humans. Humans, possessing free will, are central to this conflict.

The choices individuals make – choosing good thoughts, good words, and good deeds – contribute to the strength of Ahura Mazda. Conversely, succumbing to evil thoughts, words, and deeds strengthens Ahriman. This constant ethical decision-making is considered a vital component of the cosmic battle. The resolution of this conflict will not be a complete annihilation of Ahriman, as he is co-eternal, but a final subjugation and confinement.

The Daevas and Ahriman’s Agents

Ahriman does not act alone. He commands a host of malevolent entities known as the Daevas. These are often described as spirits or demons who embody various vices and destructive forces. They are essentially Ahriman’s agents, working to undermine Ahura Mazda’s creation.

Examples of Daevas include:

• Aka Manah – Evil Mind
• Vizaresh – A demon causing disease.
• Tauris - Demon of drought.

These Daevas influence humans, tempting them toward wrongdoing and reinforcing Ahriman’s power. Understanding the nature of these influences is crucial in Zoroastrian ethical practice. Analyzing these influences can be compared to a risk assessment in modern finance, identifying potential negative forces.

Ahriman and the Human Condition

Ahriman’s influence on humanity is multifaceted. He tempts individuals with desires that lead to negative consequences, fostering greed, anger, and pride. He creates obstacles to righteousness and promotes falsehood. However, Zoroastrianism emphasizes that humans are not merely puppets of Ahriman; they have the capacity to resist his influence through conscious effort and adherence to the principles of asha, truth and righteousness.

The concept of resisting Ahriman’s influence can be viewed as analogous to implementing a robust hedging strategy in financial markets – mitigating potential losses. Just as a trader uses stop-loss orders, individuals can employ moral and spiritual safeguards to protect themselves from harmful impulses. The ability to recognize and counter these impulses requires careful self-analysis, similar to performing technical analysis on market trends.

The Final Renovation (Frashokereti)

Zoroastrian eschatology centers around the concept of the Frashokereti – the final renovation or renewal of the world. This is the ultimate triumph of Ahura Mazda over Ahriman. While Ahriman will not be destroyed, he will be bound and rendered powerless. The world will be purified, the dead will be resurrected, and all creation will be restored to its original perfection. This event is not a single, instantaneous occurrence but a gradual process spanning millennia.

The Frashokereti can be understood as a long-term investment horizon, requiring sustained effort and patience. Similarly, the consistent application of ethical principles, much like a disciplined dollar-cost averaging strategy, contributes to the ultimate positive outcome.

Ahriman in Context: Related Concepts

Several related concepts are essential for a comprehensive understanding of Ahriman:

• Ahura Mazda: The supreme god and Ahriman’s eternal opponent.
• Spenta Mainyu: The Holy Spirit, Ahura Mazda’s agent in creation.
• Asha: Truth, righteousness, and cosmic order.
• Druj: Falsehood and deception, embodied by Ahriman.
• Fravashi: Guardian spirits associated with each individual.
• Vohu Manah: Good Mind, a key attribute in resisting Ahriman.
• Kshatra Vairya: Dominion and righteous power.
• Haurvatat: Wholeness and completion.
• Ameretatat: Immortality and unending progress.

Understanding Ahriman Through Analytical Lenses

Analyzing Ahriman's role provides insights beyond theological understanding. His influence can be seen as a representation of internal psychological struggles. The constant battle against temptation and negativity mirrors the challenges individuals face in achieving personal growth. This can be compared to identifying and managing market volatility – recognizing and adapting to unpredictable forces. The need for constant vigilance against Ahriman’s influence parallels the importance of order book analysis in trading, constantly monitoring for potential disruptions. The concept of ethical choices aligns with risk management principles, selecting actions with positive expected values. The idea of resisting temptation is similar to avoiding emotional trading. The pursuit of Asha resonates with the concept of fundamental analysis, seeking underlying truth and value. Successfully navigating this internal struggle requires self-discipline, much like adhering to a strict trading plan. The long-term perspective of the Frashokereti mirrors a long-term buy-and-hold strategy. Understanding Ahriman's agents (the Daevas) is akin to recognizing market manipulation tactics. The purification process of the Frashokereti can be likened to portfolio rebalancing, removing negative influences. Recognizing the dualistic nature of existence is similar to understanding bear and bull markets. The necessity of making conscious choices is akin to algorithmic trading, where programmed responses are designed to react to specific conditions. The concept of free will is analogous to the trader’s ability to execute discretionary trades. Finally, the ultimate triumph of Ahura Mazda can be seen as a metaphor for achieving long-term capital appreciation.

Recommended Crypto Futures Platforms

Platform	Futures Highlights	Sign up
Binance Futures	Leverage up to 125x, USDⓈ-M contracts	Register now
Bybit Futures	Inverse and linear perpetuals	Start trading
BingX Futures	Copy trading and social features	Join BingX
Bitget Futures	USDT-collateralized contracts	Open account
BitMEX	Crypto derivatives platform, leverage up to 100x	BitMEX

Join our community

Subscribe to our Telegram channel @cryptofuturestrading to get analysis, free signals, and more!