InZoroastrianism, Spənta Ārmaiti (Avestan 𐬯𐬞𐬆𐬧𐬙𐬀 𐬁𐬭𐬨𐬀𐬌𐬙𐬌 for "Holy Devotion") is one of the Amesha Spentas, the seven divine manifestations of Wisdom and Ahura Mazda. While older sources present the Amesha Spentas more as abstract entities, in later sources Spenta Armaiti is personified as a female divinity with connotations of harmony and devotion.[1]
Spenta Armaiti is known in later Iranian languagesasSpandarmad (inMiddle Persian) and Isfandārmaḏ (inModern Persian).[2]
Sometimes Armaiti is paired with other Zoroastrian deity, Zam ('earth'), another being associated with the Earth,[3] thus forming a compound Zam-ArmaitiorZam-Armatay.[4]
Just like every other member within the Heptad, Ārmaiti shares an intimate bond with Ahura Mazdā, a connection metaphorically described by Zoroaster as that of a "daughter" to him.[5]
She is associated with earth[6][7][8] and sacred literature describes her role as a Mother Nature character. Thus, she is linked to fertility and to farmers.[9][a][b]
She is also associated with the dead and the underworld.[12][13]
In the Zoroastrian calendar, she is associated with the twelfth month (Persian: سپندارمذ Spendārmad) and the fifth day of the month. The fifth day of the twelfth month is hence her holy day, Sepandārmazgān. Sepandārmazgān is an ancient festival to celebrate eternal love. Iranian lovers give each other gifts on this day.[14]
Scholarship states that Armaiti is equivalent to a RigVedic entity named Aramati.[15][16]
InArmenian mythology, her name appears as Sandaramet (Armenian: Սանդարամետ).[17][18]
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