The Hadhayosh (also spelled Hadhayosh, Hadhaayos or Sarsaok) is a mythical creature from Persian mythology, particularly mentioned in the Avesta, the sacred scriptures of Zoroastrianism. This gigantic and powerful creature is part of ancient Persian cosmology and is often associated with divine protection, creation, and the safeguarding of nature. The Hadhayosh is depicted as a unique and mystical beast, with attributes that link it to both the animal world and divine forces.

Description of Hadhayosh

1. Appearance:
   • The Hadhayosh is described as a giant, horned beast that resembles a bull or an ox but with divine or supernatural qualities. Some descriptions also compare it to a gigantic cow.
   • It is massive in size and has an almost immortal and untouchable nature, immune to aging, disease, and corruption. Its body is often depicted as being so large that its back touches the sky, and it is said to live in distant, isolated regions, away from human civilization.
2. Mythical Powers:
   • The Hadhayosh is believed to possess divine qualities that make it a protector of nature and creator of life. Its body is said to contain the essence of creation, meaning that consuming its flesh would grant immortality or great wisdom.
   • It is also believed that the Hadhayosh played a role in the creation of new species, acting as an original source of life from which other animals could have descended.
3. Guardian of the World:
   • The Hadhayosh is regarded as a protector of the world and the natural order. It was believed to guard the earth’s ecosystems, ensuring the balance of nature and preventing chaos from spreading.
   • As part of Zoroastrian cosmology, the Hadhayosh, along with other mythological creatures like the Kar Fish and the Simurgh, safeguards the divine order created by Ahura Mazda (the supreme god in Zoroastrianism) against the forces of evil, represented by Angra Mainyu (Ahriman), the destructive spirit.

Role in Zoroastrian Cosmology

1. Association with the Creation of Life:
   • The Hadhayosh is said to have played a role in the creation of the world’s animal life. In Zoroastrian creation myths, the world was initially populated by a primeval bull, whose body was used by the gods to generate various species of animals. Some scholars believe that the Hadhayosh is a representation or descendant of this original bull.
   • The Hadhayosh is also linked to fertility and the regeneration of life, symbolizing the cyclical nature of creation and the harmony of the natural world.
2. Connection to the Resurrection:
   • In Zoroastrian eschatology (the study of the end of the world), it is believed that during the final battle between good and evil, the Saoshyant (a messianic figure in Zoroastrianism) will use the fat of the Hadhayosh in a divine elixir. This elixir, combined with the white haoma plant (a sacred, mystical plant in Zoroastrianism), will grant immortality to all of humanity, allowing the world to be purified and reborn.
   • This end-time event will mark the triumph of good over evil and the restoration of the world to its original, perfect state, free from death, decay, and destruction.
3. Connection to Divine Sacrifice:
   • The flesh of the Hadhayosh is considered sacred, and it is believed that consuming it could grant divine knowledge or eternal life. This idea is linked to Zoroastrian sacrificial traditions, where animals were offered as part of rituals to maintain balance between the physical and spiritual worlds.
   • The Hadhayosh’s sacrifice in the end times is thus seen as a divine offering that will save humanity and cleanse the world of evil.

Symbolism of Hadhayosh

1. Symbol of Fertility and Creation:
   • The Hadhayosh, as a symbol of the earth’s fertility and creation, represents the power of nature and the divine origins of life. In Zoroastrian belief, all living things are sacred and must be treated with respect, as they are connected to the divine order established by Ahura Mazda. The Hadhayosh embodies this sacred connection between the natural world and the spiritual realm.
2. Divine Protector of Nature:
   • The Hadhayosh is also seen as a guardian of the natural order. It exists to ensure that nature remains in balance and that the forces of destruction do not overwhelm the earth. This reflects Zoroastrianism’s emphasis on maintaining harmony between humanity and the natural world and the constant struggle between good (order) and evil (chaos).
3. Sacrifice and Immortality:
   • The Hadhayosh’s association with sacrifice and immortality is an essential part of its symbolism. It is a creature whose death in the final days of the world will bring about the resurrection of humanity, showing the connection between life, death, and renewal. This aligns with the Zoroastrian belief in the frashokereti, or final renovation of the universe, when all creation will be purified and reborn.

Legacy and Influence

1. Representation in Persian Culture:
   • The Hadhayosh is one of the many mythical creatures that has appeared in Persian mythology, contributing to the rich tapestry of mythical beasts found in ancient Persian art and literature. Alongside creatures like the Simurgh (a giant bird) and the Kar Fish (a sea creature), the Hadhayosh represents the cosmic forces that protect and maintain the world.
2. Connection to Other Myths:
   • The Hadhayosh shares similarities with other mythological creatures in various cultures that serve as symbols of creation, protection, and sacrifice. Its role as a massive, divine beast that influences the fate of the world can be compared to other legendary creatures like the Auðumbla (a primeval cow in Norse mythology) or Behemoth from Judeo-Christian traditions.
3. Enduring Symbolism:
   • Though not as prominent in popular culture as other mythological figures, the Hadhayosh continues to be a symbol of divine strength, fertility, and the sacredness of the natural world in Zoroastrian thought. Its connection to the end times and the resurrection of humanity gives it a place of high importance in the cosmic struggle between good and evil in Persian myth.

Conclusion

The Hadhayosh is a mythical and powerful creature from Persian mythology that plays a significant role in Zoroastrian cosmology. As a symbol of fertility, creation, and the sacredness of life, the Hadhayosh is revered as a divine protector of nature and a key figure in the final purification and resurrection of the world. Its legend speaks to the enduring themes of sacrifice, immortality, and the constant battle between good and evil that is central to Zoroastrian belief.

Description

The Hadhayosh is a huge metallic ox from ancient Persian mythology.

Forged from brass by a god this enormous ox had six powerful horns and a mane of fire. These fearsome beasts are said to have raided 14th-century Iran. 

In the original creation, men rode upon it to pass between regions, and in the event referred to as the renovation of the universe the body of the hadhayosh is used to create an immortality potion known as Hush [1].

The Bundahishn Describing The Death of Hadhayosh

When the hadhayosh is slain 55 species of grain and 12 species of medicinal plants sprout from the earth with the seminal energy of the ox. This seed is then purified by the light of the moon and “fully prepared in every way” and then it produces life in the body. This passage is believed to mean that the effect of drinking this potion either prolongs life or makes one completely immortal [2].

After the grain and medicinal plants sprout two oxen, one male and one female rise from the ground and 282 of each species appear on the earth [2]. 

The Avesta

The Avesta describes how to remove imperfect bodies from men through a ceremony called Izishna. There nectar made from the fat of hadhayosh is consumed in combination with the white Hom juice and then all being who consumed it will become immortal [3].

Sources:

[1]: The Bundahishn. Dalcassian Publishing Company, 2019. (Ch.19)

[2]: The Bundahishn. Dalcassian Publishing Company, 2019. (Ch.14)

[3]: Geldner, Karl Friedrich, ed. Avesta, the sacred books of the Parsis. Vol. 2. W. Kohlhammer, 1889. (Ch.XLV)