Sagdid () is a ritual which forms an essential part of a

Zoroastrian Zoroastrianism ( ), also called Mazdayasnā () or Beh-dīn (), is an Iranian religion centred on the Avesta and the teachings of Zarathushtra Spitama, who is more commonly referred to by the Greek translation, Zoroaster ( ). Among the wo ...

funeral ceremony. The word "Sagdid" means "glance of the dog" (''sag'' meaning "dog" and ''-did'' meaning "to see"). Sagdid involves having a sacred dog watch over a recently deceased body, often before it has been touched by anybody else. The ritual is thought to restore purity, lessen the chance of infection, and more practically the ritual is used to determine if the deceased is truly deceased. Sagdid is also performed over deceased dogs in some instances.

Dogs in Zoroastrianism

The

Vendidad The Vendidad /ˈvendi'dæd/, also known as Videvdat, Videvdad or Juddēvdād, is a collection of texts within the greater compendium of the Avesta. However, unlike the other texts of the Avesta, the ''Vendidad'' is an ecclesiastical code, not a ...

speaks of different kinds of dogs such as the shepherd's dog, house-dog and hunting dog. Darmesteter, Pg 153 Additionally, it also classifies the fox, the

weasel Weasels are mammals of the genus ''Mustela'' of the family Mustelidae. The genus ''Mustela'' includes the least weasels, polecats, stoats, ferrets, and European mink. Members of this genus are small, active predators, with long and slend ...

, the

otter Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic, or marine. Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family, which includes weasels, badgers, mink, and wolverines, among ...

, the

porcupine Porcupines are large rodents with coats of sharp Spine (zoology), spines, or quills, that protect them against predation. The term covers two Family (biology), families of animals: the Old World porcupines of the family Hystricidae, and the New ...

, and the

hedgehog A hedgehog is a spiny mammal of the subfamily Erinaceinae, in the eulipotyphlan family Erinaceidae. There are 17 species of hedgehog in five genera found throughout parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and in New Zealand by introduction. The ...

as "dogs". The otter ("water dog") is highly sacred in that multitudes of individual dogs are considered to be reborn into a single otter. A detailed treatment of the various types of dogs, their virtues and rights are given in Fargard 13, 14, and 15 of the Vendidad. "Dogs", especially true dogs in the biological sense ( Canis lupus familiaris, whether domestic or stray), are considered to deserve respect and protection; there are detailed prescriptions concerning the care which is due to them and the harsh punishments for those who harm them. For more details, see '' Dogs in Zoroastrianism''.

The ritual of ''Sagdid''

The ritual of ''Sagdid'' is explained in Fargard 8 of the Vendidad. The dog is perceived to be a beneficent animal and the Druj is believed to flee at the very glance of the dog. The expression "four eyes" is thought to refer to a dog with two tan flecks above the eyes.Boyce, Mary 1989. A History of Zoroastrianism: The Early Period. P.303 In the absence of such a dog, any type of dog could be used.

Notes

References

* {{cite book, title=Sacred Books of the East, Vol 4: The Zend Avesta, Part I:The Vendidad, first=James, last=Darmesteter, authorlink=James Darmesteter, publisher=Oxford University Press, year=1880, ref=Darmesteter Zoroastrian rituals Dogs in religion