Encyclopedia of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism.

Zoroastrianism, one of the world’s oldest religions, emerged from the teachings of the prophet Zarathustra in ancient Iran, around the 2nd millennium BCE. At its core is the belief in Ahura Mazda, the Wise Lord, a singular, supreme deity embodying wisdom and goodness. The faith frames existence as a cosmic struggle between good and evil, personified by Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu, the destructive spirit. Humans, endowed with free will, play a pivotal role by choosing asha—truth, order, and righteousness—over druj, falsehood and chaos.

Zoroastrianism emphasizes ethical living through “good thoughts, good words, good deeds,” a mantra guiding daily life. Fire and water, symbols of purity, are sacred, often central to rituals in fire temples where an eternal flame burns. The religion introduced concepts like judgment after death, a final savior, and a world renewed—ideas that echo in later faiths. Its texts, notably the Gathas, Zarathustra’s hymns, blend poetry with philosophy, urging active participation in bettering the world.

Though its followers dwindled over time, now numbering under 200,000, mostly in India (Parsis) and Iran, Zoroastrianism’s influence endures. It’s a call to personal responsibility, harmony with nature, and an optimistic vision of good triumphing over evil in the end.