Encyclopedia of Zoroastrianism. The meaning of fire.

In Zoroastrianism, fire holds profound symbolic significance as a sacred element representing Ahura Mazda’s light, purity, and divine presence. It’s not worshipped as a deity but revered as a tangible manifestation of asha—truth, righteousness, and cosmic order—standing in opposition to the chaos and darkness of Angra Mainyu. Fire’s purity is absolute; it consumes impurity and illuminates truth, making it a powerful symbol of spiritual clarity and goodness.

Central to Zoroastrian worship, the eternal flame burns in fire temples, tended by priests with meticulous care. These flames, often consecrated through elaborate rituals, are never extinguished, symbolizing the unending presence of Ahura Mazda and the continuity of his divine wisdom. The Atash Behram, the highest grade of sacred fire, is kindled from 16 sources (like lightning or a blacksmith’s forge) and purified over months, embodying a cosmic connection.

Fire also ties to the Amesha Spenta Asha Vahishta, the spirit of Best Truth, reinforcing its role as a purifying force. Devotees pray facing a flame or the sun—another fire symbol—never contaminating it. This reverence reflects a broader ethos: fire is life’s energy, a call to maintain purity in thought, word, and deed, mirroring the divine light within creation.