Beaver

Beavers were one of the most sacred animals of ancient Iran. According to the Avesta, beavers are formed from the ghosts of dogs. So beavers were known as "water-dogs." A single beaver was thought to have as much holiness as thousand dogs. Ancient Iranians believed that killing a beaver would produce drought. Corn and grass would cease to grow until the killer received punishment.

In ancient Iran those who harmed beavers had to pay a heavy fine of 60,000 dirhems and kill ten-thousand snakes and tortoises to compensate for their sin.

On the other hand, the Avesta says that goddess Anahita ( on the left) wears a garment made of thirty beavers of fine color and fine quality. This shows that the wealthy people used beaver fur for their clothes.

Like ancient Iranians, Native Americans love beavers. They used beavers' flesh and fur. The Native Americans have named many places after beavers. For instance, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, means "land of the beaver" in Iroquois.

Go to this Beaver page, open it in Acrobat, print it out and color it. The artwork has been done by our good friend, Ashton Z.