Zoroastrianism: Notable Concepts, Figures, Events, and Terminology

Zoroastrianism (Fact 1)

Also known as Mazdaism, it was founded by Zarathustra, and its characterized by its monotheism while incorporating dualism, distinguishing it from the Abrahamic Religions

Zoroastrianism (Fact 2)

Emerged from an earlier Iranian religious group that was polytheistic (similarly to how Islam emerged from a melting pot of culture that included many polytheistic religions)

Zoroastrianism (Fact 3)

Like Christianity and Islam, its adherents acknowledge the existence of Satan

Dualism (Fact 1)

Ongoing opposition between the cosmic forces of good and evil and order and chaos and are played out on a cosmic level

Dualism (Fact 2)

Ongoing opposition between the cosmic forces of Asha and Druj

Spirit-Matter Dualism (Fact 1)

Zoroastrian belief that everything that exists is the result of the incorporation of the spirit within the realm of matter that was possibly influenced by and/or had been influenced by the philosophical Dualism of Plato and Aristotle

Ahura Mazda (Fact 2)

God of Zoroastrianism who is believed to be at work conducting the necessary processes so that goodness and order will prevail over evil and chaos

Ahura Mazda (Fact 1)

God of Zoroastrianism - he is perfectly good, all-powerful, and eternal, it is the Zoroastrian equivalent of Allah in Islam

Ahura Mazda (Fact 3)

God of Zoroastrianism, the name means "Wise Lord" in ancient Iranian

Ohrmazd (Fact 1)

Name used to refer to Ahura Mazda by relatively modern Zoroastrians

Ahura Mazda (Fact 5)

God of Zoroastrianism, he is believed to be responsible for carrying out the embodied forces of order and good in this world against the embodied forces of chaos and evil in the world

Ahura Mazda (Fact 4)

God of Zoroastrianism, he is believed not to have been responsible for the creation of evil in the world nor for the creation of evil as a cosmic force in the universe but rather as responsible for overcoming evil and that he created this world in order to achieve that task

Amesha Spentas (Fact 1)

"Beneficial Immortals" or angels who help Ahura Mazda in his governing of creation that include Spenta Mainyu or "Holy Spirit" of Zoroastrianism and the "Asha" or emanation of Ahura Mazda

Amesha Spentas (Fact 2)

"Beneficial Immortals" or angels who help Ahura Mazda in his governing of creation in which each constitute an element of the cosmos

Yazatas (Fact 1)

30 Deities that assist the Amesha Spentas that are "ones worthy of worship" and represent each day of the Zoroastrian month

Daevas (Fact 1)

Various Zoroastrian demonic powers or demons that chose the "worst purpose", something which Zoroastrians believe humans can also do

Mithra (Fact 1)

Most prominent Yazata, a God of Light who works to keep human beings in harmony with Asha

Sraosha (Fact 1)

Prominent Yazata, caretaker of the souls of the dead and who oversees ritual practices

Spenta Mainyu (Fact 1)

"Holy Spirit" of Zoroastrianism, it is a supernatural being that exemplifies Zoroastrian dualism, it represents order and goodness

Twin Spirits (Fact 1)

Term used to refer to the Spenta and Angra Mainyu or Holy and Foul Spirits that exemplify Zoroastrian dualism since they are both emanations from Ahura Mazda and represent all other opposing forces in the universe such as right and wrong, hot and cold, life and death, etc.

Ahriman (Fact 1)

Relatively modern term used to refer to the "Angra Mainyu" or "Foul Spirit"

Angra Mainyu (Fact 1)

"Foul Spirit" of Zoroastrianism, it is a supernatural being that exemplifies Zoroastrian dualism, it represents chaos and evil

Asha (Fact 2)

Has been, is, and always will be the outcome of this eternal cosmic struggle between it and Druj that exists on the cosmic level and on the level of the individual and therefore this outcome is never in doubt

Asha (Fact 1)

Represents order; symbolized by light, fire, and the sun; it enables one to speak good words, think good thoughts, and perform good deeds

Asha (Fact 3)

Is "friends" with the Ahura Mazda

Druj (Fact 1)

Represents chaos and enables one to speak bad words, think bad thoughts, and perform bad deeds