Vayu-Vata

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Vayu-Vata
Spirit of the universe God of the atmosphere, wind, and breath
The god of wind (Vayu-Vata) on a Kushan coin
Other names	Vay, Vaybe, Vaybod, Andarva, Vayu, Wind
Affiliation	The Thirty-Three Deities, Guardians of the Days of the Month, Four Elements
Symbol	Lightning, Tornado, Emptiness
Sacred flower	Melissa
Attributes	Seeker, Righteous, Overcoming, Receding, Advancing, Everlasting, Strongest, Mightiest, Defeater, Wave-Caster, Flame-Spread[1]
Day	22nd of each month in the Iranian calendar
Gender	Male
Festivals	Wind Day[2]
Associated deities	Indra, Ram
Equivalents
Greek	Boreas
Sumerian	Adad
Indian	Vayu

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Zoroastrianism
Primary topics Ahura Mazda Zarathustra Asha Vohu Manah Persia/Iran Faravahar Avestan
Divine entities Amesha Spentas Yazatas Ahuras Daevas Fravashi Angra Mainyu
Scripture and worship Zoroastrian literature Avesta Ashem Vohu Ahuna Vairya Yenghe hatam Airyaman ishya Fire Temples 101 Names of Ahura Mazda Adur Burzen-Mihr Adur Farnbag Adur Gushnasp Cypress of Kashmar Gathas Yasna Vendidad Visperad Yashts Khordeh Avesta The Rivayats Ab-Zohr
Accounts and legends Dēnkard Bundahišn Book of Arda Viraf Book of Jamasp Story of Sanjan Chinvat Bridge Frashokereti
History and culture Zurvanism Mazdakism Khurramites Calendar Festivals Initiation Kushti Sedreh Marriage Burial
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Related topics Criticism of Zoroastrianism Zoroastrian cosmology
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Vāyu-Vāta or Vāta-Vāyu (IPA: ʋɑːyu-ʋɑːt̪ə) is the Avestan language name of a dual-natured Zoroastrian divinity of the wind (Vayu) and of the atmosphere (Vata). The names are also used independently of one another, with 'Vayu' occurring more frequently than 'Vata', but even when used independently still representing the other aspect.^[3]

The entity is simultaneously angelic and demonic, that is, depending on the circumstances, either yazata - "worthy of worship" - or daeva, which in Zoroastrian tradition is a demon. Scripture frequently applies the epithet "good" when speaking of one or the other in a positive context.^[3]

In Zurvanism (Zurvanite Zoroastrianism, a now-extinct form of Zoroastrianism), Vata-Vayu represented two facets of the quaternary Zurvan. In this arrangement, Vata-Vayu represented "space" while the other two facets represent "time."

Vayu-Vata has Indo-Iranian roots, and has the same name in historical Vedic religion.^[4]