Mehr is associated with Mithra, a deity in ancient Indo-Iranian religion and later in Zoroastrianism. Mithra, sometimes spelled as Mehr or Mithras in different contexts, was a god of the sun, light, and contracts in ancient Persian and Vedic mythology. Mehr in Persian has multiple meanings and associations. It primarily refers to the Sun in Persian and symbolizes light, warmth, vitality, and divine illumination. Mehr also carries connotations of kindness, compassion, and benevolence. This may be due to cultural or linguistic nuances, where the concept of the Sun's warmth and radiance is metaphorically extended to represent acts of kindness and generosity. Mehr is the name of the seventh month in the Persian calendar. It falls roughly between mid-September and mid-October in the Gregorian calendar. As we reflect on the multiple meanings of Mehr in Persian culture, the profound interconnectedness between nature's splendor and the human capacity for kindness will be reminded. May we, like the radiant Sun, strive to illuminate the world with the warmth of our compassion and the brilliance of our deeds, embodying the timeless virtues that have defined Persian civilization for millennia.

Mithra, in ancient Persian mythology, was associated with various aspects, including the concept of contracts and oaths. The concept of Mithra as a guardian of truth and the enforcer of oaths played a significant role in Zoroastrianism, the religion of ancient Persia. People would invoke Mithra's name when making promises or entering into contracts, believing that breaking such agreements would incur Mithra's wrath. The bull-slaying scene in Mithraism symbolized the triumph of light (Mithras) over darkness (the bull), emphasizing the solar aspects of the deity. This symbolism linked Mithraism to the changing seasons and the sun's journey across the sky. Mithraism declined with the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire. However, some of its symbolism and ideas influenced later religious traditions, including aspects of Christian iconography. The comparison between Jesus Christ and Mithra, a deity from ancient Persian religion, has been a topic of fascination for scholars and enthusiasts alike. While the two figures belong to different religious traditions and historical contexts, this paper aims to explore some of the intriguing similarities that have been identified over the years.

Throughout the annals of human history, various religious traditions have featured savior figures, divine beings whose purpose is to guide, inspire, and offer salvation to their followers. In Manichaeism, Mithra, sometimes referred to as "Mihr," was considered one of the divine beings who played a significant role in the salvation of souls. Manichaeans believed in a dualistic cosmology with the struggle between light and darkness, and Mithra was associated with the forces of light. On the other hand, in the vast tapestry of Buddhist beliefs and prophecies, one figure stands out as a beacon of hope for the future-Maitreya, the Buddha of loving-kindness and compassion. Revered across various Buddhist traditions, Maitreya is believed to be the fifth and future Buddha who will come to guide humanity toward enlightenment when the teachings of Gautama Buddha have faded into obscurity. The connections and adaptations between figures like Maitreya and Mithra demonstrate the complex nature of religious and cultural exchanges throughout history. This study proposes that Maitreya and Mithra are the same figure, based on historical and linguistic similarities.