The Khosravani Wisdom and Mysticism in Ancient Avestan Texts, and Its Relationship to the Ritual and Religious Music of Ancient Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohammad Shafigh aski 1
seyed razi mousavi gilani 2
seyed abolghasem hosseini ashagh abadi 3
1 Faculty member of university of Farhangian
2 Associate Professor, Department of Art Philosophy, Art and Thought Institute of Higher Education, Qom, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Art Philosophy, Art and Thought Institute of Higher Education, Qom, Iran.
10.22034/toa.2026.2081306.1518
Abstract
Music held an important place in ancient Iran, and Iranians, guided by their religious and mythological beliefs, performed various forms of music in all ritual and religious ceremonies; this is known as ritual music. A connection can be observed between this music and both philosophical wisdom and Khosravani mysticism. In the ancient Avesta, especially the Gathas (Zoroaster’s hymns), there are themes of wisdom and mysticism, and these hymns were recited melodically, as Zoroaster recommended. Some sources consider these teachings and the Gathic hymns to be the origin of ancient Iranian ritual music. The presence of Avestan hymns and practices such as sama in the Mithraic tradition, along with the selection of specific melodies for symbols and figures associated with Iranian wisdom, also indicates that ritual music was influenced by Khosravani philosophy and mysticism. This study aims to explain and uncover this relationship and mutual influence through a descriptive-analytical approach based on reliable sources.
Keywords
Ritual and Religious Music
Ancient Iran
Khosravani Wisdom
Iranian Mysticism
Theology of Art

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 01 October 2026