Many visitors to Iran encounter Zoroastrianism for the first time during their trip. However, Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest living religions, with teachings that still resonate today. Learning about this ancient Persian faith can greatly enrich your experience while exploring Iran.

Zoroastrianism, also known as Mazdeism, is an ancient Persian religion that originated in Central Asia about 3,500 years ago. It is the world’s first monotheistic faith and one of the oldest organized religions, influencing later traditions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Zoroastrianism originates from the teachings of the prophet Zarathustra, also known as Zoroaster. Originally passed down orally, these teachings were later recorded in sacred texts known as the Avesta. Composed in Avestan, a language related to ancient Achaemenid and Sanskrit, the Avesta includes the Gathas, some of the oldest texts, whose poetic beauty is still appreciated today.

The exact time and place of Zarathustra’s birth and life remain uncertain, with scholars having different opinions. Some suggest he lived during the second millennium BCE based on linguistic and cultural evidence, while others date his life to the 7th or 6th century BCE, roughly around the time of Cyrus the Great and Darius the Great.

Festival of Sadeh

Sadeh is an Iranian festival with origins in the Achaemenid Empire, the first Persian Empire. Celebrated 50 days before Nowruz, Sadeh’s name, which means “hundred” in Persian, signifies the hundred days and nights remaining until the arrival of spring.

It is clear that by the time Cyrus the Great and Darius the Great ruled, Zoroastrianism had become the state religion of the Achaemenid Empire (550 – 330 BCE). This continued under the Parthian (247 BCE – 224 CE) and Sassanian (224 – 651 CE) empires as well.

After the Arab conquest of Persia in 651 CE and the fall of the Sassanian Empire, Zoroastrianism lost its status as the state religion to Islam. Many followers of Zarathustra were forced to flee, with most settling in the Indian subcontinent. Today, there are between 100,000 and 200,000 Zoroastrians worldwide, including a small community of 20,000 to 30,000 in Iran.

The teachings of Zarathustra

Before Zoroastrianism emerged in Persia, the region’s religions were polytheistic. People worshipped a variety of gods and goddesses who represented different aspects of life, such as warfare or cattle herding, natural phenomena like storms or fire, and celestial bodies like the moon, sun, and stars.

Zarathustra was a priest in ancient Persia who became troubled by certain religious practices, such as the ritual slaughter of cattle, and by the unethical actions attributed to the deities. Facing harassment and persecution for ten years due to his critical views, he eventually received a revelation that became the foundation of his new religion.

He claimed that Ahura Mazda revealed himself as the one true supreme God, rejecting all other deities as false. This belief in a single, invisible God became a cornerstone of the Zoroastrian faith.

What do Zoroastrians believe?

At the heart of Zoroastrianism, as revealed to Zarathustra, is the ongoing battle between good and evil. Zoroastrians believe that Ahura Mazda created the world to allow these opposing forces to confront each other, with the ultimate goal of good prevailing. Good is represented by Ahura Mazda, while evil is embodied by Ahriman (or Angra Mainyu), who leads a host of demons and evil entities.

This duality reflects the idea that the purpose of life is to choose between good and evil. Humans play a crucial role in this cosmic struggle, as they embody both spiritual and material qualities and are central to the balance of these forces.

Fire temple of Yazd

We have the freedom to choose between the path of righteousness and the path of deceit. Those who follow the path of righteousness will be rewarded in the afterlife with eternal paradise once Ahriman is defeated and the savior, Saoshyant, arrives at the end of time.

What does it mean to walk the path of righteousness?

 It involves embodying honesty, charity, love, and moderation. This idea is captured by the Zoroastrian principle: “Good thoughts, good words, good deeds.” The Faravahar, a key symbol of Zoroastrianism, represents this principle. It depicts a bearded man with one hand extended forward and the other holding a ring. Surrounding him are wings with three layers of feathers, each layer symbolizing one of the core principles.

Sacred Practices of Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism’s core beliefs are complemented by traditional practices that have endured over time. Members of the Zoroastrian community traditionally wear a ritual girdle called a “kusti.” This cord, wrapped three times around the waist, symbolizes their commitment to good thoughts, words, and deeds, and is knotted at the front and back over a white inner shirt.

Young men and women begin wearing the kusti as a form of initiation when they are teenagers, and they are expected to wear it for life. Throughout the year, Zoroastrians celebrate seven ritual and communal feasts called “gahambars.” These feasts honor the good things created by Ahura Mazda and help foster solidarity and social harmony within the Zoroastrian community.

Zoroastrians follow strict rules to maintain cleanliness and ritual purity, as it is important not to pollute the creations of Ahura Mazda, such as water, earth, and fire. Formal worship generally involves reciting five daily prayers. For priests, this includes maintaining sacred fires, which symbolize light and Ahura Mazda, in special temples.

Exploring Zoroastrian sacred sites in Iran

In Yazd, you can visit the Fire Temple, also known as Yazd Atash Behram. Fire Temples (Atashkadeh) are sacred places for Zoroastrians where a continuous fire burns day and night. This fire symbolizes the eternal power of Ahura Mazda. Although the temple itself was built in 1934, the fire is said to have been burning for 1,500 years. It is the longest-burning fire in Iran and one of the nine most important fires for Zoroastrians, with the others located in India.

Another significant site for Zoroastrians in Yazd is the Towers of Silence, located just outside the city. These two tall towers were used for burial rituals. When someone passed away, their body was placed at the center of the open tower to be exposed to vultures and the elements, allowing for natural decomposition. This practice helped avoid contaminating the soil, which is also considered sacred.

Close to Yazd and Ardakan, you’ll find the Chak Chak shrine, perched in a semi-natural cave on the side of a mountain. Inside, a gentle stream of water trickles down. According to legend, in 640 CE, the mountain protected the daughter of a Sassanid king who prayed to Ahura Mazda for refuge from invaders. This event has made Chak Chak a major pilgrimage site for Zoroastrians ever since.

When visiting Persepolis near Shiraz, you’ll gain valuable insights into Zoroastrianism. The city was primarily designed to host the royal ceremonies for Nowruz, and many of its inscriptions and reliefs are linked to Zoroastrian beliefs and Ahura Mazda.

Zoroastrianism has left its mark across various regions of Iran. One notable site is Takhte Suleiman, a UNESCO World Heritage site in West Azerbaijan. This ancient fortified citadel was a major Zoroastrian sanctuary during the Sassanid era and features a Fire Temple as well as a sacred temple dedicated to Anahita, the Zoroastrian goddess of water.