Symbols, spiritual beings, and sacred texts
Ahura Mazda (aka Ohrmazd): Supreme being and creator that fights for goodness and righteousness. He also represents purity and goodness. That’s why Zoroastrians have several rituals of purification.
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Ahriman: The spirit of evil, he causes destruction through his demons and other evil creatures. He represents anything bad and pollution. Pollution can be ecologically or mentally.
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Faravahar: Signifying the human soul, this symbol ultimately is to remind followers of the purpose of life, which is to live spiritually righteous and grow closer to Ahura Mazda. This is sometimes also considered the symbol that represent's Ahura Mazda. Each part of the design has a significant meaning:
- The man’s face relates to mankind because Ahura Mazda gave Man free will.
- The two wings each have three main feather layers representing the three fundamental principles, “Good Words, Good Thoughts and Good Deeds.”
- The tail also has three layers of feathers to oppose the three principles. The opposition represents “bad reflections, bad words, and bad deeds.” The feathers overall hope to balance one’s soul between the battle between good and evil.
- The two tail loops represent ‘Sepanta Minu’ and ‘Ankareh Minu,’ the two sons of Ahura Mazda. Sepanta Minu represents good and Ankareh Minu represents darkness. The loop representing Sepanta Minu is directed towards the face to show that we must proceed towards the good and shun evil. The two opposing forces therefore remind us of the ongoing universal battle.
- The circle in the middle indicates that our spirit never ends, living on and on, without a beginning or an end. The ring is sometimes interpreted as the ‘ring of covenant’ representing loyalty and faithfulness.
- The hand that points upwards show that we must strive to succeed.
- The other hand holds a smaller circle that symbolizes the cycles of rebirth on the many realms a soul has to progress the path of Asha. When the divine laws have been obeyed, the soul will finally unite with Ahura-Mazda.
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Avesta: The sacred Zoroastrian book
Gathas: Inside the Avesta not only contained Zoroastrian doctrines but also collections of hymns written by Zoroaster called the Gathas. The hymns are to reassure that goodness will ultimately triumph over evil. It also talks about Ahura Mazda’s promise to protect Zoroaster during his prophetic mission.
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Fire: All elements of the earth are pure and sacred but fire ultimately represents Ahura Mazda’s light and wisdom. Because fire provides light, light lets us see, and vision helps us gain knowledge and wisdom. Since it relates to the Supreme Being, fire is also the supreme symbol of Ahura Mazda, his purity and capability to vanquish evil. Thus, the presence of a sacred fire is always present in a Zoroastrian temple, ritual, or ceremony.
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Sudreh and Kusti: Piece of white, thin garment and belt that Zoroastrians traditionally wear to symbolize purity and innocence. Purity is something emphasized in Zoroastrianism.
The belt is made of 72 long threads to represent the 72 chapters in the Yasna - a book from the Avesta.