Div (mythology)

In Armenian mythology and many various Armenian folk tales, the Dev (in Armenian : դև) appears both in a kind and specially in a malicious role, and has a semi-divine origin. Dev is a very large being with an immense head on his shoulders, and with eyes as large as earthen bowls. Some of them may have only one eye. Usually, there are Black and White Devs. However, both of them can either be malicious or kind. The White Dev is present in Hovhannes Tumanyan 's tale named 'Yedemakan Tzaghike' ( Arm. : Եդեմական Ծաղիկը), translated to 'The Flower of Paradise'. In the tale, the Dev is the flower's guardian. The Flower of Paradise and Other Armenian Tales .

Mythical creature in Albanian, Armenian, Iranian and Turkic mythology Shahnameh—The Div Akvan throws Rustam into the sea Dev (or div ) are monstrous creatures in Iranian , Armenian , Turkic and Albanian mythology , comparable to fiends or ogres. They consist of a body similar to a human, but giant, with two horns, relishing human flesh, powerful cruel and stone-hearted with teeth like a boar. Despite their physical shape, like jinn and shayatin (demons), the cause of demonic possession and insanity is ascribed to them. Their natural opponents are the peri , a fairy-like spirit originated from Iranian tradition. Some of them use primitive types of weapons such as stones, while others appear as warriors with armors and weapons. Additionally to their physical strength, some of them are masters of sorcery, overcoming their enemies with magic. In Haase, Donald (ed.). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Folktales and Fairy Tales . OCLC 1063874626 . : |volume= has extra text ( help ) Sykes, Ella C. The Ashgate Encyclopedia of Literary and Cinematic Monsters .

Demons in Middle Eastern beliefs, including Iranian, Albanian, Armenian and Turkic mythology Div or dev ( Classical Persian : دیو dēw ; Iranian Persian : دیو dīv ) (with the broader meaning of demons or fiends) are monstrous creatures within Middle Eastern lore, and probably Persian origin. Their origin may lie in the Vedic deities ( devas ) who were later demonized in the Persian religion (see daeva ). Most of their images, when disseminated into the Islamic world, including Armenia , Turkic countries and Albania , assimilated with the demons and ogres of ancestral beliefs. As such they have been adapted according to the beliefs of Islamic concepts of otherworldly entities. Muslim authors often identified them with the ifrit (demons) and shayatin (devils) of their own belief-system. In Sufism they became symbols of human vices and evil urges. In folklore and legends, they are often described as having a body like that of a human, only of gigantic size, with two horns upon their heads and teeth like the tusks of a boar . Powerful, cruel and cold-hearted, they have a particular relish for the taste of human flesh. Some use only primitive weapons, such as stones: others, more sophisticated, are equipped like warriors, wearing armour and using weapons of metal. Despite their uncouth appearance – and in addition to their great physical strength – many are also masters of sorcery , capable of overcoming their enemies by magic and afflicting them with nightmares . Religion and Daily Life in the Mountains of Iran: Theology, saints, people . In Haase, Donald (ed.). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Folktales and Fairy Tales . Persian Literature as World Literature .