سگدید | Sagdid
| منطقه | ایران |
| فراوانی اجرا و برگزاری | در آستانه‌ی فراموشی |
| زمان برگزاری | بعد از مرگ هر فرد |
| شماره ثبت میراث ملی | ندارد |
در ایران باستان و در آئین مزدیسنا رسم خاصی برای اثبات مرگ افراد وجود داشت که به آن سگ دید می‌گفتند. در این مراسم دو مرد که از نظر توان با هم برابر بودند جسد فرد فوت شده را به دخمه‌ای مخصوص می‌بردند. این دخمه‌ها معمولا روی تپه‌های اطراف شهر قرار داشتند و دلیل ساخت آن‌ها قرار دادن جسد مرده برای پوسیدن و خوراک پرندگان و درندگان شدن، بود. در اعتقادات مذهبی و آئینی آن دوران، دفن کردن، سوزاندن یا به آب سپردن جسد کاری حرام بود و باعث نجس شدن زمین، آتش و آب می‌شد. به همین دلیل اجساد را در محلی مخصوص قرار می‌دادند تا خوراک حیوانات و پرندگان شود.وقتی جسد در دخمه قرار می‌گرفت یک سگ بر اساس مشخصاتی که در اوستا - فرگرد هشتم ذکر شده بود، به کنار جسد می‌آوردند. این سگ باید یک سگ زرد چهار چشم ( سگی که بالای هر دو چشم علامتی شبیه به چشم و به رنگ زرد داشته باشد) یا یک سگ سفید با گوش‌های زرد می‌بود. قبل از بردن سگ در دخمه یک تکه نان روی جسد می‌گذاشتند. اگر سگ نان را می‌خورد نشانه‌ی این بود که فرد مرده است. اما وقتی سگ نان را تنها بو می‌کشید و از دخمه بیرون می‌آمد، نشانه‌ی حضور و وجود جان در بدن فرد بود.یکی دیگر از دلایل سگ دید کردن جسد، فراری دادن دیو نسوش بوده است. زرتشتیان اعتقاد داشتند که زمانی که جان از بدن خارج می‌شود، نسوش (دیوی که بر اجساد آدمی دست می‌یابد و آن را پلید می‌سازد) بر وی هجوم می‌برد و هنگامی که سگ آن جسد را ببیند، نسوش رانده می‌شود.
In ancient Persia, within the Zoroastrian faith (Mazdayasnā), a specific ritual existed to confirm the death of an individual, known as 'Sag-did,' literally meaning 'dog sighting.'In this ceremony, two men of equal physical strength would carry the deceased's body to a Dakhma (Tower of Silence). These Dakhmās were typically situated on hills surrounding cities. The purpose of constructing these structures was to place the body to decompose and be consumed by birds and scavengers. Indeed, in the religious and ritualistic beliefs of that era, burial, cremation, or submersion in water were considered sacrilegious, believed to defile earth, fire, and water. Consequently, bodies were placed in designated locations to be consumed by animals and birds.Once the body was placed in the Dakhma, a dog, selected based on specifications outlined in the Avesta – specifically in Fargard (chapter) eight – was brought to the body's side. This dog had to be either a 'four-eyed yellow dog' (a dog with markings resembling eyes above each eye, in yellow color) or a white dog with yellow ears. Before the dog was brought into the Dakhma, a piece of bread was placed on the corpse. If the dog ate the bread, it was taken as a sign that the person was deceased. However, if the dog sniffed the bread but retreated from the Dakhma, it was interpreted as a sign that life was still present within the body.Another rationale behind the 'Sag Did' ritual was to drive away the Nasush demon. Zoroastrians believed that upon the departure of the soul from the body, Nasush (a demon that seizes and defiles corpses) would attack it. When a dog sighted the corpse, it was believed that Nasush would be repelled.Explanation of Terms for Clarity:Sag Did (Dog Sighting): The ritual's name, literally meaning "dog sighting," accurately describes the core action of the ceremony.Mazdisna (Zoroastrianism): The ancient Persian religion to which this ritual belongs. Clarifying this context is essential.Dakhma (Tower of Silence): A crucial term that needs explanation. Describing it as a "Tower of Silence" and explaining its purpose as a structure for excarnation is important for understanding the ritual's setting.Avesta: The sacred texts of Zoroastrianism. Mentioning that the specifications for the dog are found in the Avesta adds credibility and context.Fargard: Meaning "chapter" or "section" in the Avesta. Specifying *Fargard* eight provides a more precise reference.Four-eyed yellow dog: Describing the specific type of dog and its markings is important as it is not just any dog, but one with particular characteristics deemed significant in the ritual.Nasush: Explaining Nasush as a "demon that seizes and defiles corpses" is vital for understanding the religious belief behind the ritual's efficacy in repelling evil.