Meaning of Zoroastrianism (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Zoroastrianism:

Zoroastrianism, also known as Mazdeism, is the 6th century BC Persian state religion that has as its principle the existence of good and evil. In approximately the 8th century AD it was replaced by Islamism, with the fall of the Sassanid Empire.

See also, Islamism.

Zoroastrianism is founded by the prophet Zoroaster and his teachings focused on the moral and spiritual nature of the human being, as well as the encounter between good and evil, with man having the freedom of moral choice between good and bad.

In this religion, good and evil is represented by Ahura Mazda, god of good, and Angra Mainyu as the god of evil. It is for this reason that individuals had to choose the path they wanted to follow since their actions could lead them to hell after their death.

Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion for its exclusive worship of Ahura Mazda, who is equivalent to God for Christians, and dualistic for the existence of the constant fight between good and evil.

See the article Monotheism.

For more information, see the article Dualism.

On the other hand, the Avesta is the sacred book for Zoroastrianisms and is made up of hymns and songs, the Gatha considered the most important book since it consists of 17 sacred songs represented by Zoroaster himself. The Gatha represent the relationships between Ahura Mazda and the six divine categories called the Amesha Spenta:

• Vohu Manō: the good mind.Asha Vahishta: the highest truth.Kshathra Vairya: good choice.Spenta Armaity: holy attitude.Haurvatāt: complete state of well-being, physical and spiritual integrity.Ameretāt: state of immortal happiness.

Currently, in Iran (ancient Persia) a part of the population still practices Zoroastrianism, the greater number of practitioners of which are Indians.

Characteristics of Zoroastrianism

• The Faravahar or Farohar is the main symbol of the religion that represents the soul before its birth and after its death. Fire is a symbol of great importance since the god of good is worshiped through sacred fire, held by priests in the respective temples. For this reason, cremation is not allowed by the believers of the religion. The faithful of Zoroastrianism celebrate the marriage that takes place in the presence of fire as a symbol of great importance. The believers of Zoroastrianism believe in the resurrection of the dead and in the existence of a paradise, purgatory and hell, as it is spread by Christianity. Emperors are the representatives of the god Mazda on earth to guarantee the subordination of the people to the head of the empire.

Zoroastrianism and Christianity

Zoroastrianism had a great influence on Christianity, Ahura Mazda the good god, aided by a figure similar to the creator God of the world; Angra Mainyu represents evil, equivalent to the devil, generator of destruction that inhabits an abominable place, called hell by Christians, where the dead depart as a consequence of their negative actions in the earthly world.

Also, both religions identify with the guardian angels and also with the final judgment in which the evil will be definitely defeated. On the other hand, Zoroastrianism also influenced other religions such as Judaism, Islamism and Manichaeism.

For more information, see the article Christianity.

See Judaism.

Also see the Manichaeism article.