Glossary of Zoroastrianism Terms and Concepts

Farohar

The winged symbol or emblem of Zoroastrianism, the precise meaning of which is open to some question. It is the most commonly used Zoroastrian symbol. The central figure is popularly believed to be either Ahura Mazda or the fravashi.

Fravashi

Possibly a guardian spirit, but may also be a spirit which enters this life with a person and continues with him or her beyond death.

Gabars

A pejorative term used by Muslims in Iran for members of the Zoroastrian faith.

Gathas

Hymns or poems written by Zarathustra; considered to be the most authoritative expressions of the Zoroastrian religion.

Gayomart

The Primal Man; first progenitor of the human race and father of Mashye and Mashyane.

Haoma

The sacred plant whose juice is used as an offering in the Yasna.

Kusti

Literally, 'sacred cord'; girdle received by Zoroastrians at navjote and worn at all times. It is untied and retied several times a day to the accompaniment of prayers.

Magi

The priestly caste of ancient Persia, in time associated with the Zoroastrian priesthood. The singular form, 'magus,' is the Greek version of the Old Persian word 'magu,' meaning priest.

Navjote

The public ceremony of initiation into the Zoroastrian faith.

Nirang

Urine of an ox or bull which has been consecrated by prayer and is used externally for cleansing and drunk for internal purification.

Pahlavi

Also called Middle Persian; the language of Sassanian and early Islamic times in which later Zoroastrian books are written.

Parsis

The 'Persians' who settled in India in 936 C.E. to seek a land of religious freedom away from oppression in Muslim Iran. Parsis today make up the largest community of Zoroastrians in the world.

Saoshyant

The coming Savior; the messiah figure of Zoroastrianism.

Sudre

A white cotton undershirt worn next to the skin at all times (except when bathing) as a religious symbol of commitment and protection.

Urvan

The spirit or soul of man.

Vendidad

'Code against the demons'; a book of purification in the Avesta, read at night in a lengthy ritual.

Mashye and Mashyane

The first human couple, male and female; the Adam and Eve of Zoroastrian tradition.

Mithra

A 'high god' of pre-Zoroastrian Iran that survived the advent of Zoroastrianism and also continues to have a presence in the Vedas of Hindu literature in India.

Yasht

A hymn to Ahura Mazda or some other immortal being. The yashts form an important part of the Avesta.

Zarathustra

The name of the founder of Zoroastrianism in its original Avestan language form. The Greek form of the name is Zoroaster.

Ahura

Lord.

Ahura Mazda

Zarathustra's name for God, meaning 'Lord of Wisdom'; the supreme deity, the power of good, the creator of the world, the guardian of humankind; also known as Ohrmazd.

Amesha Spentas

'Holy Immortals'; six divine attributes, archangels, or lesser immortal beings who, along with Ahura Mazda, make up the Holy Heptad, the sacred seven. In some Zoroastrian thought, the Amesha Spentas are heavenly beings created by Ahura Mazda and, combined, represent the sevenfold character of God.

Angra Mainyu

Zarathustra's name for the destructive spirit, the devil; also known as Ahriman.

Aryans

A Caucasoid branch of the Indo-European family that historically separated into at least two groups, one migrating into Iran and another into India. Some of the Aryans of Iran originated Zoroastrianism, and the intrusive Aryans of India originated Vedic Hinduism.

Asha

'Order, truth, justice'; the governing principle of the world.

Avesta

The sacred book of ancient Zoroastrianism. Only a quarter of the original has survived.

Avestan

The language of Zarathustra and the Avesta.

Chinvat

The bridge of judgment which connects this world with the unseen afterlife. After death, it is a means by which people cross between the two. Humans are judged before they cross this bridge.

Dakhma

Originally, 'grave'; later, a walled tower open to the sky where Zoroastrians expose the dead to vultures and crows for disposal of the flesh; sometimes called tower of silence.