Meaning of Zoroastrianism (What is it, Concept and Definition)

What is Zoroastrianism:

Zoroastrianism, also known as Mazdeism, is the religion of the Persian State of the 6th century BC, whose principle is the existence of good and evil Approximately in the 8th century AD it was replaced by Islam, with the fall of the Sasanian 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 should choose the path they wanted to follow since their actions could take them to hell after their death.

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

See the article Monotheism.

For more information, see the Dualism article.

On the other hand, the Avesta is the sacred book for Zoroastrianism and is made up of hymns and songs, the Gatha considered the The most important book consists of 17 sacred songs represented by Zoroaster himself.The Gatha represent the relations 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: sacred attitude.
• Haurvatāt: complete state of well-being, physical and spiritual integrity.
• Ameretāt: state of immortal happiness.

Currently, in Iran (ancient Persian) a part of the population still practices Zoroastrianism, whose greatest number of practitioners are Indian.

Characteristics of Zoroastrianism

• The Faravahar or Farohar is the main symbol of the religion that represents the soul before its birth and after his death.
• Fire is a symbol of great importance since the god of good is worshiped by the sacred fire, held by the priests in the respective temples.For this reason, cremation is not allowed by the believers of religion.
• The faithful of Zoroastrianism celebrate the marriage that takes place in the presence of fire as a symbol of great importance.
• 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.
• The emperors are the representatives of 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, helped by a figure similar to the creator God of the world; Angra Mainyu represents evil, it is equivalent to the devil, generator of the destruction that inhabits an abominable place, called hell for the Christians, where the dead leave as a result of their negative actions in the underworld.

Also , both religions identify with the guardian angels and also with the final judgment that evil will be definitively defeated.On the other hand, Zoroastrianism also influenced other religions such as Judaism, Islam and Manichaeism.

For more information, see the Christianity article.

See Judaism.

Also consult the Manichaeism article.