In ancient Iranian religion, the first man, son of the Sun, and progenitor of the human race.
In one legend, Yima became king in a golden age in which need, death, disease, aging, and extremes of temperature were banished from the earth because of his virtue. This golden age ended when Ahura Mazdā foretold a terrible winter. Yima was instructed to build an underground domain, take in the best individuals from each species to preserve their seed, and then reemerge after the winter to repopulate the earth. In Zoroastrian legends, Yima was replaced by Gayōmart .