Zoroastrisme

Origin

Zoroastrianism goes back to the prophet Zarathustra, who probably lived between 1500 and 1000 BC in ancient Persia or Central Asia. It is regarded as one of the oldest religions with a supreme god.

Beliefs and practice

At the centre is the wise god Ahura Mazda. The world is a struggle between good and evil, and each person should choose the good: good thoughts, good words, good deeds. Fire is a symbol of purity. The holy book is the Avesta.

Spread

Under the Persians (Achaemenids, Sasanians) Zoroastrianism was the state religion for centuries. After the Arab conquest in the 7th century it was gradually pushed back in Persia.

Today

Today only about 100,000 to 200,000 followers remain, mainly in Iran and in India, where they are called Parsis.

Good to know

• Worship takes place at a fire in a fire temple.
• Some ideas such as heaven, hell and a last judgment later became important in other religions too.
• The singer Freddie Mercury came from a Parsi family.