Zoroastrianism is a old persian religion, which is the main idea of the constant dualism between two forces, representing the struggle between good and evil.
Also known as masdeism, this religion would have been founded by the prophet Zarathustra (also known as Zoroaster), in the middle of the VII century; C, after he supposedly witnessed the figure of a "being of light", who introduced himself as Ahura Mazda (the equivalent of God, for Christians).
Zoroaster played a role in reforming the religious pattern of the time, which consisted predominantly of polytheism. Zoroastrianism is essentially monotheistic (worship exclusive to the Ahura Mazda) and dualist (existence of good and evil).
While Ahura Mazda was seen as a deity, Aritman (Ahriman), which consisted in the representation of evil, was interpreted not as a god, but as an energy negative, responsible for illnesses, deaths, natural disasters and everything related to the negativism.
O Avesta it is considered the holy book of Zoroastrianism and, like the Bible for Christians, consists of the grouping of diverse sacred texts written by different authors and in periods of time distinct.
The main difference between Avesta and the Bible, however, lies in the fact that the former is predominantly formed by prayers and few narratives.
In Avesta, the Book of Gathas it is considered one of the most important, as it consists of 17 sacred chants composed by Zoroaster himself.
Another particular feature of Zoroastrianism is the presence of the Amesha Spentas (“Sacred Immortals”), which represent spiritual manifestations of Ahura Mazda and embody abstract elements, such as:
- vohu manah, representing the animals;
- Asha Vahishta, representing fire;
- Spenta Ameraiti, representing the earth;
- Khashathra Vairya, representing the sky and metals;
- Hauravatat, representing water;
- Ameretat, representing the plants.
Zoroastrianism was replaced as the predominant religion in the present-day Middle East region from the 8th century AD. a., with the fall of the Sassanida Empire, when it happened to force the Islamism.
However, currently, there are still some followers of Zoroastrianism in that region, predominantly made up of Indians.
See also: the meaning of Manichaeism.
Zoroastrianism and Christianity
Among other features of Zarathustra's doctrine is the belief in the immortality of the soul, the coming of a Savior Messiah, the resurrection of the dead and the Last Judgment.
Several of these characteristics helped to influence not only Christianity, but also other religions such as Judaism, Manichaeism and Islam, for example.
Also learn more about the meaning of Islam.