Xwedê : The Supreme God

Xwedê

Introduction

In Yezidi mythology, Xwedê—also spelled Xwede, Xwedawend, Êzdan, or Pedsha—stands as the supreme, transcendent creator, embodying the essence of divine unity. He is the source of all existence, yet remains distant from the material world, allowing the universe to unfold through the agency of the Heft Sirr, or the Seven Divine Beings. Unlike interventionist deities in many traditions, Xwedê does not engage directly in human affairs. Instead, his will manifests through the Seven Angels, led by Tawûsê Melek, the Peacock Angel, who governs creation on his behalf. This theological structure highlights a balance between divine transcendence and cosmic order. The belief system surrounding Xwedê draws from ancient Mesopotamian, Zoroastrian, and Sufi influences, creating a distinctive spiritual cosmology that emphasizes purity, light, and the ineffable nature of divinity.

Physical Traits

Xwedê is beyond form, shape, or any physical manifestation. In Yezidi thought, he is pure, radiant light—nûr—that existed before creation itself. The myths describe him creating a white pearl from his own essence, within which the entire universe was once contained. From this luminous sphere, the cosmos emerged. This imagery underscores the idea that Xwedê’s essence permeates all existence without being bound by it. His divine radiance symbolizes both purity and creative power, reflected in natural elements such as sunlight, fire, and celestial light—all sacred to the Yezidis. Rituals involving light, including prayers performed facing the sun, serve as acts of reverence toward the unseen brilliance of Xwedê. The absence of anthropomorphic depictions reinforces his transcendence, suggesting that the divine cannot be limited to human imagination or material form.

Family

Within Yezidi theology, Xwedê is the singular source of all creation, not part of a divine lineage in the anthropomorphic sense. Instead of a family, he emanates seven powerful beings from his own light, collectively known as the Heft Sirr or “Seven Mysteries.” These beings are aspects of divine consciousness, each entrusted with specific cosmic responsibilities. Among them, Tawûsê Melek occupies the highest position as Xwedê’s direct representative and the guardian of Earth. Other members of this divine hierarchy, including Sheikh Adî and Sultan Êzid, are revered as spiritual manifestations rather than literal descendants. The Seven Angels act as channels of divine will, maintaining balance and justice throughout creation. This concept emphasizes a spiritual family born not of blood but of divine essence, establishing a unique theological system in which Xwedê remains supreme yet intimately connected through his emanations.

Other names

The Yezidi tradition attributes numerous names to Xwedê, each reflecting different facets of his divinity and the linguistic diversity of the faith. Common titles include Xwede or Xwedê (God), Xwedawend (Lord), Êzdan (Divinity), Pedsha (King), Ellah, and Heq. In some hymns, Xwedê is said to possess 1,001 or even 3,003 names, emphasizing his infinite nature and ineffability. These names are not mere linguistic variations—they symbolize the many ways the divine presence can be experienced or invoked. The multiplicity of names also reveals Yezidism’s syncretic heritage, absorbing influences from Zoroastrian, Kurdish, Persian, and Islamic traditions. Each name, however, leads back to the same transcendent source: the one true creator, Xwedê, whose light fills all realms of existence.

Powers and Abilities

The powers of Xwedê are absolute and all-encompassing, yet they operate through emanation rather than direct intervention. According to Yezidi cosmology, Xwedê first created the white pearl, which existed for thousands of years in divine stillness. When the time came for creation, the pearl burst open, releasing the universe and initiating the flow of time. From his radiant essence emerged the Seven Angels, who were assigned dominion over various aspects of creation. Xwedê himself, however, remains beyond time, space, and physical law. His greatest power lies in emanation, creation, and order—the establishment of a universe governed by divine harmony.

Xwedê is considered both omniscient and omnipresent, though his actions are expressed through the angels. This delegation of authority symbolizes trust in divine autonomy and the perfection of creation’s self-regulating design. While Xwedê rarely intervenes in human matters, Yezidis believe that all life, destiny, and spiritual evolution ultimately depend on his will. His essence permeates all existence, binding the cosmos with unity and purpose. The theological model of distributed divinity highlights how creation is not separate from the creator but an ongoing reflection of Xwedê’s eternal presence.

Modern Day Influence

In the modern era, Xwedê continues to be the cornerstone of Yezidi spirituality, theology, and cultural identity. Despite centuries of persecution and misinterpretation, especially the false association of Tawûsê Melek with evil by outsiders, Yezidis have preserved their ancient monotheistic faith centered on Xwedê’s supreme authority. In daily prayers, festivals, and rituals at Lalish, the Yezidi spiritual center, Xwedê is honored as the creator of life and light. His name is invoked with reverence in hymns (qewls) and religious ceremonies, often through the mediation of the Seven Angels.

The resilience of Yezidi faith has drawn renewed academic interest in recent decades. Scholars have begun to reexamine Xwedê’s role within the context of ancient Mesopotamian and Iranian cosmologies, highlighting similarities with the Zoroastrian concept of Ahura Mazda and the Sufi vision of the Hidden God. This has led to a broader understanding of Yezidism as one of the world’s oldest surviving monotheistic systems, predating many modern religions.

In the global Yezidi diaspora, particularly after the Sinjar genocide of 2014, the reverence for Xwedê has become a symbol of endurance and spiritual unity. Communities in Europe, North America, and the Middle East have established cultural and educational centers dedicated to preserving Yezidi teachings, ensuring that the divine legacy of Xwedê remains alive for future generations.

Digital media and platforms devoted to mythological studies, such as Mythlok, have further amplified global awareness of Yezidi beliefs, presenting Xwedê as an example of a deity whose silence and transcendence invite reflection on the nature of divine mystery. The reverence for Xwedê—formless, eternal, and all-encompassing—continues to inspire both theological inquiry and spiritual resilience among Yezidis today.

Source

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