baresman is not related to the baresnum, which is a purification ceremony. The baresman should also not be confused with the "mace", the varza (Avestan, MP gurz). The varza is a metal rod, about one centimeter in thickness, often crowned with a bull's head.

It has been suggested that the baresman may have a Zagrosian origin.

Physical characteristics

Material

In present-day use, the barsom is a bundle of short metal wires or rods, each about

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