What are the rituals and practices of Zoroastrianism? Purification is strongly emphasised in Zoroastrian rituals. Zoroastrians focus on keeping their minds, bodies and environments pure in the quest to defeat evil (Angra Mainyu). Fire is
What are the rituals and practices of Zoroastrianism?
Purification is strongly emphasised in Zoroastrian rituals. Zoroastrians focus on keeping their minds, bodies and environments pure in the quest to defeat evil (Angra Mainyu). Fire is seen as the supreme symbol of purity, and sacred fires are maintained in Fire Temples (Agiaries).
What are the different types of Zoroastrianism?
Today Zoroastrianism can be divided in two main schools of thought: reformists and traditionalists. Traditionalists are mostly Parsis and accept, beside the Gathas and Avesta, also the Middle Persian literature and like the reformists mostly developed in their modern form from 19th century developments.
How do Zoroastrians greet each other?
Throughout the day, Parsis greet one another with the rite of hamāzor, in which one’s right hand is passed between the palms of another. Words of greeting and good wishes are then exchanged.
What are the key beliefs of Zoroastrianism?
Zoroastrians believe in one God, called Ahura Mazda (meaning ‘Wise Lord’)….One God
- Omniscient (knows everything)
- Omnipotent (all powerful)
- Omnipresent (is everywhere)
- Impossible for humans to conceive.
- Unchanging.
- The Creator of life.
- The Source of all goodness and happiness.
What do Zoroastrians do when someone dies?
Instead of a burial or cremation, which would be seen as sacrilege, Zoroastrians lay the body on a tower. This type of tower, traditionally on a mountain, is known as a “Tower of Silence.” The body would decompose in the sun and be eaten by vultures and other birds.
Are tattoos allowed in Zoroastrianism?
Tattooing is not part of the initiation ceremony, and tattooing plays no part in any Zoroastrian ritual or ceremony, nor is it a widespread practice among Zoroastrians.
What do Zoroastrians celebrate?
These six days are respectively:
- Jashan of Bahman, celebrating animal creation.
- Jashan of Ardavisht, celebrating fire and all other luminaries.
- Jashan of Shahrevar, celebrating metals and minerals.
- Jashan of Spendarmad, celebrating the earth.
- Jashan of (K)Hordad, celebrating the waters.