Zoroastrianism - Main Page

Founded by Zarathustra

Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed world-religions, and it has probably had more influence on mankind, directly and indirectly, than any other single faith.

What is Zoroastrianism?

Zoroastrians are the followers of the great Iranian prophet, Spitaman Zarathustra (known to the Greeks as Zoroaster). Zarathustra lived and preached somewhere around the Aral Sea, about three and a half thousand years ago, circa 1000 B.C.E.

Zoroastrianism has about 140,000 members. Yet its importance to humanity and its impact on the theology of Christianity and other religions that followed is much greater than its small membership might suggest. The influence on other later religions includes the beliefs surrounding God and Satan, heaven and hell, the soul, resurrection, and the final judgment, etc. It is one of the oldest religions still in existence and is believed to be the first monotheistic religion. The religion was founded by Zarathustra (Zoroaster in Greek; Zarthosht in India and Persia). Conservative Zoroastrians put a date of 6000 BC to the founding of the religion; although other followers estimate 600 BC. Scholars and historians generally date his life sometime between 1500 and 600 BC, with consensus that is was around 1000 BC based on his style of writing.

Zarathustra lived in Persia, which is now known as modern day Iran and Iraq. Legends have said that his birth was predicted and that attempts were made by the forces of evil to kill him as a child. His preaching of a monotheistic religion, in a land which followed an aboriginal polytheistic religion, was unique for his day. Thus he was attacked for his teaching, but as time went on, he won the support of the king.

Zoroastrianism became the state religion of various Persian empires, until the 7th Century AC. When followers of Islam invaded Persia in 650 AC, the Zoroastrians fled to India, where they are concentrated today, leaving very few behind. Those who remained behind survived centuries of religious persecution and today number only about 17,000.

The sacred text of the Zoroastrians is called the Avesta-E-Zend or Zend-E-Avesta (Avesta for short), comprising five Gathas which are songs composed by the prophet Zarathustra.

The symbol of Faravahar, also known as Farohar, signifies the final goal of a true Zarthosti to live in a manner befitting the progress of the soul towards Ahura Mazda, or the "Wise Lord".