what is zoroastrianism?

Zoroastrianism is regarded as one of the first monotheistic faiths - meaning it centered around the worship of one omnipotent, all-powerful God - and can be traced back to around 600BC in ancient Persia, now known as Iran.

A highly influential religion, it is thought that Zoroastrianism helped form some of the ideas of philosophers such as Socrates and Plato, and also inspired aspects of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

In fact, Zoroaster, the religion's prophet, is also regarded as a prophet of Allah in the Islamic tradition.

As previously mentionned, the Zoroastrian faith worshipped one divine entity, and this was called the Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord). The Ahura Mazda is lord of the skies, responsible for all creation, and embodies all things good and virtuous. Truthfulness, honour and a respect toward the natural world were all considered virtuous and in accordance with the Ahura Mazda.

Zoroastrianism also acknowledges a darker counterpart to the Ahura Mazda, known as the Angra Mainyu (destructive spirit), which is responsible for death, deception and, as its name suggests, destruction. To lie, to destruct, and to do anything with ill intent against the greater good was considered sinful and gave power to the Angra Mainyu.

After death, it was believed that the soul of an individual was judged immediately. Each soul crosses a bridge, and meets their personified conscience, who may take 1 of 2 forms.

For good souls, who lived benevolently, the conscience took the form of a kind maiden, who would lead them into the House of Songs, where angels reside - similar to the Christian Heaven or the Islamic Jannah.

For evil souls though, the conscience would present as a witch, who would strike them down into the House of Lies, full of demons and deception, a place similar to hell.

It is worth noting that in other translated texts, it is written that the bridge itself judges souls, and not the personified conscience.

Zoroastrianism is now one of the least followed religions worldwide, with a large portion of its followers from Iran migrating to India throughout time. Today, there are only around 100,000 people practicing the religion around the world, with the majority living in India, Iran or North America.

However, its influence can be seen cross-culturally, and it is held by historians as a significant part of the world's spiritual, cultural and religious evolution.