Adar (2)
Adar, an Assyrian deity, the god of the thunderbolt and storm-cloud, was called " the Sun of the South," and was also the deity of physical power, corresponding to the Greek Hercules. He was frequently also called Bar and Ninip.
In the Persian religion, Adar is the breath of the holy fire, also the spirit which animates it. Of the holy fire there are many kinds:
(1) Berezeseny, fire in the earth, proved by the burning naphtha springs; a purified form was worshipped in three different holy places of Persia; (2) Wefreitn, fire in living beings: (animal. heat ), (3) Qruzesht, the fire in plants; (4) Wazesht, the fire in the clouds ( lightning); (5) Spenesht, the fire in houses, kitchens, etc.; (6) Ormuzd, the pure fire burning on the altars, whose highest potency was the Brahma fire; (7) Ferobun, worshipped under Jemshid; (8) Gochasp, adored under Chosroes; and (9) Burzin Matun, worshipped under Zerdusht. To touch the holy fire with the hand was forbidden, and was punishable by death, even though a priest became guilty of it, SEE FIRE.
