The Dirvan (Demons) in Avesta and Old Persian Texts*

To identify Divan is one of the foundations of religious research and Iranian mythology. The present paper studies the position of Divan in Avesta and old Persian texts in which Divan refer to a group of Aryan old gods worshipped by people. Zoroaster has finally denied these old gods in the Gahani teachings, not worthy of being worshipped and presents a negative aspect of them.There is no mention of these gods at Hoftha, but this thought continues in New Avesta and Xashayar inscriptions.The Demons can be classified in New Avesta into five general classes:1.The old gods which are still worshipped as gods in one of Xashayar's inscription2.Aggressors, enemies and the people of neighboring countries3.The ugly and devilish traits of Man4.The men having moral abnormalities5.The destructive elements of natureDivan have either a faith similar to the Devil and are driven to the hell or a man-like fate and are treated as failed enemies.