Mainyu
/ˈmaɪnjuː/noun
An Avestan term meaning a spiritual force, mentality, or divine being, especially in Zoroastrianism.
Did you know?In Zoroastrian texts, Spenta Mainyu and Angra Mainyu are commonly understood as opposed spiritual forces, though scholars debate how consistently the texts portray them as equal cosmic powers.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*men-
“To think, remember, or have an inner mental activity”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
manyu-
“Spirit, power, impulse, or anger”
Proto-Iranian
Proto-Iranian
*mainyus
“A spirit, mentality, or animating power”
Old Iranian
Avestan
mainyu-
“A spiritual force, disposition, or mental power”
1st Millennium BCE
Avestan
Spənta Mainyu / Aŋra Mainyu
“The Beneficent or Bounteous Spirit and the Destructive or Hostile Spirit in Zoroastrian religious language”
Modern English
English
Mainyu
“A transliterated Avestan religious term, especially in the names Spenta Mainyu and Angra Mainyu”