The Origins of Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism emerged in ancient Iran at least 3,500 years ago. Its origins can be traced back to around 1500 BCE, give or take a few centuries, with the prophet Zarathustra, also known as Zoroaster—the name given by the ancient Greeks. While we refer to the faith as Zoroastrianism, its followers traditionally call it Mazdayasna, meaning “Worship of Mazda.” No, not the car manufacturer—the name comes from Ahura Mazda, the supreme deity of the faith (more on that soon).
For over a millennium, Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion in Iran. Between the 6th century BCE and the 10th century CE, it served as the state religion for three great Persian empires—the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sassanian dynasties. During this time, Zoroastrian priests were known as Magi, and the Greeks believed they possessed secret mystical knowledge due to their advanced understanding of astronomy. This belief influenced the English words “magic” and “magician.”
Interestingly, the Magi also appear in the Bible. According to the Gospel of Matthew, three Zoroastrian priests traveled to visit the infant Jesus, known in English as the Three Wise Men. Christians around the world still celebrate them on January 6th, known as Epiphany.
The Decline of Zoroastrianism
The fall of the Sassanian Empire to Muslim Arab conquerors in the 7th century CE marked the beginning of the decline of Zoroastrianism in Iran. Over time, the religion faced persecution, and its influence waned. By the 10th century CE, some Iranian Zoroastrians fled to India, where they established the Parsi community. The name “Parsi” comes from the Persian homeland they left behind, which Indians referred to as Persia.
The Parsi community thrived in India, where they contributed significantly to society. The Tata Group, one of India’s largest corporations, was founded by Parsis. Parsis also played a key role in India’s independence movement against British rule.
Today, Zoroastrians can be found across the world, having historically migrated to regions like Singapore, Hong Kong, and parts of Africa, including Zanzibar. Freddie Mercury’s parents, for example, were Parsis who later moved to the United Kingdom.
In the past century, small Zoroastrian communities have settled in the UK, the US, Australia, and Canada. Currently, there are an estimated 200,000 Zoroastrians worldwide, with about 60,000 in India and around 25,000 in Iran, making them the second-largest group of adherents.
Core Beliefs of Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrians believe in Ahura Mazda, the wise and benevolent creator of the universe. Ahura Mazda is eternal, uncreated, and embodies goodness, wisdom, and justice. However, he is opposed by Angra Mainyu (also known as Ahriman), the spirit of destruction, deception, and chaos.
This cosmic struggle between good and evil is central to Zoroastrian belief. Ahura Mazda represents light, truth, and order, while Angra Mainyu embodies darkness, lies, and disorder. Humans must choose between these opposing forces—truth or falsehood. Since Angra Mainyu is a master of deception, this choice is not always easy.
Zoroastrians also believe in an afterlife. Upon death, the soul crosses the Bridge of Judgment. If a person led a righteous life, their soul ascends to paradise (the word “paradise” itself comes from Persian). If not, they descend into a realm of darkness and suffering. There is also an intermediate state for those who were neither wholly good nor evil.
Death itself is considered the ultimate form of pollution. Because the body is seen as impure after death, traditional Zoroastrian funerary practices avoid contaminating the sacred elements—earth, fire, and water. Historically, the deceased were placed in Towers of Silence, where vultures consumed the remains. However, this practice has declined due to government restrictions and environmental changes. Today, some Zoroastrian communities opt for cremation or solar reflectors to decompose bodies in an environmentally conscious way.
The Zoroastrian Apocalypse
According to Zoroastrian eschatology, the battle between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu will last for millennia. Eventually, a savior figure known as Saoshyant will be born of a virgin, leading humanity against the forces of evil.
In the final judgment, a great fire will engulf the earth, and molten metal will cover everything. The righteous will pass through unharmed, while the wicked will be purified by the flames. In the end, all souls—even those in hell—will be redeemed. Angra Mainyu will be defeated and cast into the abyss forever. This final renewal is called Frashokereti, meaning “restoration”—a return to Ahura Mazda’s original perfect creation.
Key Concepts in Zoroastrianism
- Asha: The fundamental principle of truth, wisdom, order, and justice. It represents the path of righteousness and progress.
- Vohu Manah (Good Mind): The divine gift that allows humans to discern right from wrong. With free will, individuals must strive for good thoughts, good words, and good deeds—the essence of Zoroastrian ethics.
- Fire: A sacred symbol of Ahura Mazda, representing purity and truth. While fire is revered, it is not worshipped. Zoroastrian fire temples maintain eternal flames, with priests performing rituals before them.
- The Avesta: The Zoroastrian holy book, one of the oldest religious texts in the world. It contains hymns known as the Gathas, attributed to Zoroaster himself. However, much of the original Avesta has been lost due to historical invasions, including the destruction of the Achaemenid library by Alexander the Great.
The Legacy of Zoroastrianism
Despite its small numbers today, Zoroastrianism has left a profound mark on the world’s major religions. Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, demonstrated religious tolerance by allowing the Jews to return from Babylonian exile. His actions influenced the concept of a single, all-powerful God in Judaism, which later shaped Christianity and Islam.
Many religious ideas now considered fundamental—including heaven, hell, angels, demons, and the final judgment—can be traced back to Zoroastrian thought. Even George R.R. Martin drew inspiration from Zoroastrianism for his “Lord of Light” religion in A Song of Ice and Fire.
Zoroastrianism may be small today, but its influence on world history is undeniable.
