Zoroastrianism, an ancient pre-Islamic faith originating from Iran, revolves around the Avesta and the teachings of Zarathushtra Spitama, more commonly known as Zoroaster. Followers of this religion revere Ahura Mazda as the supreme god, confronting the evil spirit Angra Mainyu in a dualistic struggle between good and evil.
The Iranian prophet and religious reformer Zarathushtra, known outside Iran as Zoroaster (the Greek adaptation of his name), and active prior to the 6th century BCE, is traditionally seen as the founder of this faith. Zoroastrianism incorporates both monotheistic and dualistic aspects and is believed to have influenced other major Western religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Zoroastrianism continues to exist in isolated areas of Iran and, more notably, in India, where the descendants of Zoroastrian Persian immigrants are referred to as Parsis or Parsees.
The Prophet Zoroaster
There is no agreed-upon date for the birth of Zoroaster, also known as Zarathustra. Zoroastrian tradition claims he lived 258 years prior to Alexander the Great’s conquest of Persepolis, which was the capital of Persia during the Achaemenian dynasty, in 330 BCE. However, tradition also states that Zoroaster was 40 when he converted Vishtaspa, likely a king in Central Asia, around 588 BCE, suggesting a birth year of approximately 628 BCE. Some scholars propose that he may have lived around 1200 BCE, while others argue that the founder of Zoroastrianism was active a full millennium earlier than traditional estimates.
Regardless, Zoroaster was born in what is now northeastern Iran or southwestern Afghanistan, in a predominantly polytheistic society where many gods were worshipped. Zoroaster rejected polytheism, as well as the oppressive class structure and the authority of princes and priests over ordinary people. According to tradition, at 30, Zoroaster had a divine vision while bathing in a river during a pagan purification ritual. He encountered a “Shining Being” that revealed itself as Vohu Manah (“Good Mind”), who introduced him to Ahura Mazda, the Zoroastrian name for God, accompanied by the Amesha Spentas (Holy Immortals). This was the first of many visions, during which Zoroaster posed questions to Ahura Mazda and the Amesha Spentas, whose answers are considered the teachings of Zoroastrianism.
Initially, Zoroaster’s teachings faced resistance from both religious authorities and the general populace. After 12 years, he chose to leave his homeland in search of those willing to listen. His journey took him to Bactria, incorporating parts of present-day Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, where the king and queen were the first to convert to his new religion, subsequently making Zoroastrianism the official faith of their kingdom.
Principles Of Zoroastrianism
Central to Zoroaster’s new faith is the belief in one god, Ahura Mazda, who is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent, regarded as paramount among all beings. It is Ahura Mazda who created all life, and Zoroastrians view all of creation as pure. Consequently, they strive to protect the Earth’s environment, which is why Zoroastrianism is often called “the first ecological religion.”
Another key principle of Zoroastrianism is that Zoroaster is the prophet of Ahura Mazda. While Zoroaster himself is not worshipped, his visions, including encounters with the aforementioned Holy Immortals, are considered divine. There are six of these Holy Immortals, each embodying different virtues: Vohu Mana (good mind and purpose), Asha Vahishta (truth and righteousness), Spenta Ameraiti (holy devotion, serenity, and loving kindness), Khashatra Vairya (power and just rule), Hauravavat (wholeness and health), and Ameretat (long life and immortality).
The duality of good and evil is also fundamental to Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrian teachings state that God has an adversary named Angra Mainyu, meaning “destructive spirit.” This adversary is responsible for death and all evil in the world. While Ahura Mazda exists in Heaven, Angra Mainyu resides in Hell. A person’s actions during their lifetime determine which realm they will enter after death.
The Expansion And Decline Of Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism spread throughout Asia along the historic Silk Road, a network of trade routes connecting China, Asia, and Europe. It ultimately became the official religion of the mighty Persian Achaemenid Empire, which extended from Anatolia and Egypt to northern India and Central Asia. Cyrus the Great, the empire’s founder, was a devout Zoroastrian but did not impose his faith on conquered peoples, showing tolerance by allowing them to continue practicing their religions. According to Jewish tradition, Cyrus the Great liberated the Jewish people held captive in Babylon and permitted their return to Jerusalem to rebuild Solomon’s Temple.
For the next thousand years, Zoroastrianism continued to flourish as the official religion of subsequent Persian dynasties, including the Parthian and Sassanian Empires. However, its dominance faced a dramatic decline in the 7th century CE. Between 633 and 651 CE, Arab Muslims invaded Persia, leading to the fall of the Sassanian Empire. The conquerors imposed additional taxes on Zoroastrians, allowing them to practice their faith but making life increasingly difficult. Ultimately, most Iranian Zoroastrians converted to Islam.
Zoroastrianism Today
Currently, Zoroastrianism is thought to have around 100,000 to 200,000 adherents. The largest populations of Zoroastrians are found in India and Iran, with approximately 60,000 Parsis in India, the term used for Zoroastrian followers there. Iran is home to about 25,000 Zoroastrians, although they face significant persecution from the country’s Shiite Islamic fundamentalist regime. Other sizable communities exist in Iraqi Kurdistan, the United States, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Azerbaijan, the Persian Gulf Arab states, Pakistan, and New Zealand.
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