<scp>creating is cutting</scp>: a conceptual metaphor in Avestan and Pahlavi texts

Abstract This paper investigates the development of the creation theme in Zoroastrian sources through the lens of the conceptual metaphor “ creation is cutting ”. It analyses three terms: Avestan taš - and ϑβǝrǝs -, and Middle Persian brēhēnīdan . Each term is examined in non-metaphorical, non-creational metaphorical, and creational metaphorical contexts. This analysis, coupled with a comparison of their semantic nuances and metaphorical mappings, suggests a creation myth with two phases: in the first phase, Ahura Mazda alone hews the undifferentiated forms of both the spiritual and material creation from an imaginary primary material, followed by the sculpting of the spiritual creation, resulting in adding details to the form. Subsequently, Ahura Mazda, in collaboration with the Beneficial Immortals/high-ranked divinities, imparts specific bodily and facial details to the material creation, enabling procreation. The Pahlavi sources elaborate on this theme, portraying Ahura Mazda as the sole agent in the initial hewing, while high-ranking divinities mitigate the harm inflicted by Ahriman on the created prototypes, facilitating their procreation throughout the world.