REL Midterm Zoroastrianism Terms

Zarathuštra

Iranian religion founder

Zoroaster

regarded as the founder of Zoroastrianism

Ahura Mazda

supreme god and creator of the universe

Spenta Mainyu

"Beneficent Spirit" or "Holy Spirit," is the positive counterpart to Angra Mainyu

Angra Mainyu

the spirit of evil and the adversary of Ahura Mazda

Asha

denotes righteousness, justice, and the divine/natural law that governs the universe

Druj

Avestan name of the female Zoroastrian demon (daeva) of corpse matter.

Zurvanite

fatalistic religious movement of Zoroastrianism [1] in which the divinity Zurvan is a first principle

Ohrimazd

creator deity and god of the sky in the ancient Iranian religion Zoroastrianism.

Cosmic Dualism

the belief in a fundamental, ongoing struggle between the forces of good (Ahura Mazda) and evil (Angra Mainyu) within the universe, shaping the world and influencing human choices

Amesha Spentas

"Holy Immortals" or "Bounteous Immortals," are a group of six divine beings created by Ahura Mazda (the Wise Lord) to help govern creation and fight against evil.

Yazatas

divine beings that are worshipped and considered to be intermediaries between humans and Ahura Mazda

Fravishi

a pre-existing, spiritual guardian or essence of an individual

Farahavar

a winged symbol that represents the Zoroastrian faith

Ahriman

the evil spirit

Daena

Zoroastrian concept representing insight and revelation, hence "conscience" or "religion."

Chinvat Bridge

sifting bridge, which separates the world of the living from the world of the dead 

Avesta

primary collection of religious literature of Zoroastrianism

Sedreh

a white cotton undershirt worn by initiates

Kusti

sacred girdle worn by invested Zoroastrians around their waists

Sacred Fire

a symbol of purity, divinity, and the illuminated mind

Dakhma

Parsi funerary tower erected on a hill for the disposal of the dead according to the Zoroastrian rite.

Nowruz

a Persian New Year celebration that originated in Zoroastrianism, the religion of Iran before Islam

Daeva

Zoroastrian supernatural entity with disagreeable characteristics.

Indo-Iranians

Some scholars believe Zoroastrianism started as an Indo-Iranian polytheistic religion

Connections to Vedas

Zoroastrianism and the Vedic religion share a common Indo-Iranian origin, with both traditions having roots in the ancient Indo-Aryan culture, but Zoroastrianism developed into a distinct monotheistic religion centered on the struggle between good and evil, while the Vedic religion remained polytheistic and focused on harmony within the universe.

Haoma

refers to both a sacred plant and the drink made from it, as well as a personified divinity