History UsefulNotes / Zoroastrianism

One of the oldest religions in history and in Classical Antiquity, the only major religion in UsefulNotes/TheMiddleEast other than UsefulNotes/{{Judaism}}, UsefulNotes/{{Islam}} and polytheism. Its doctrine centers around an eternal war between Good (represented by '''Ahura Mazda''', or '''Ormazd''') and Evil (represented by '''Angra Mainyu''', or '''Ahriman'''). The former can be roughly equated with the Abrahamic {{God}} but the latter is definitely '''[[NotSoSimilar not]]''' {{Satan}}, since Satan is a [[FallenAngel rebel angel/spirit/former prosecutor]] fighting his own creator (beginning open rebellion around the time the Persians were running things, [[HijackedByJesus for some reason]]) - thus, FailureIsTheOnlyOption. Ahriman is Ahura Mazda's uncreated EvilCounterpart and thus an equal or near-equal GodOfEvil who actually has an equally valid claim to the title of "Everyone's Boss" (though akin to Satan, he will [[EvilWillFail lose in the end anyway]]). Humans have free will, and they face their own personal version of the divine struggle, between Truth and the Lie. Based on one's actions in their struggle, they are either led to paradise (the word comes to us from Zoroastrianism) or hell. Though interestingly, hell in Zoroastrianism is not eternal, but meant to reform people.

One of the oldest religions in history and in Classical Antiquity, the only major religion in the Middle East other than Judaism and polytheism. Its doctrine centers around an eternal war between Good (represented by '''Ahura Mazda''', or '''Ormazd''') and Evil (represented by '''Angra Mainyu''', or '''Ahriman'''). The former can be roughly equated with the Abrahamic {{God}} but the latter is definitely '''[[NotSoSimilar not]]''' {{Satan}}, since Satan is a [[FallenAngel rebel angel/spirit/former prosecutor]] fighting his own creator (beginning open rebellion around the time the Persians were running things, [[HijackedByJesus for some reason]]) - thus, FailureIsTheOnlyOption. Ahriman is Ahura Mazda's uncreated EvilCounterpart and thus an equal or near-equal GodOfEvil who actually has an equally valid claim to the title of "Everyone's Boss" (though akin to Satan, he will [[EvilWillFail lose in the end anyway]]). Humans have free will, and they face their own personal version of the divine struggle, between Truth and the Lie. Based on one's actions in their struggle, they are either led to paradise (the word comes to us from Zoroastrianism) or hell. Though interestingly, hell in Zoroastrianism is not eternal, but meant to reform people.

One of the oldest religions in history and in Classical Antiquity, the only major religion in the Middle East other than Judaism and polytheism. Its doctrine centers around an eternal war between Good (represented by '''Ahura Mazda''', or '''Ormazd''') and Evil (represented by '''Angra Mainyu''', or '''Ahriman'''). The former can be roughly equated with the Abrahamic {{God}} but the latter is definitely '''[[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial not]]''' {{Satan}}, since Satan is a [[FallenAngel rebel angel/spirit/former prosecutor]] fighting his own creator (beginning open rebellion around the time the Persians were running things, [[HijackedByJesus for some reason]]) - thus, FailureIsTheOnlyOption. Ahriman is Ahura Mazda's uncreated EvilCounterpart and thus an equal or near-equal GodOfEvil who actually has an equally valid claim to the title of "Everyone's Boss" (though akin to Satan, he will [[EvilWillFail lose in the end anyway]]). Humans have free will, and they face their own personal version of the divine struggle, between Truth and the Lie. Based on one's actions in their struggle, they are either led to paradise (the word comes to us from Zoroastrianism) or hell. Though interestingly, hell in Zoroastrianism is not eternal, but meant to reform people.

One of the oldest religions in history and in Classical Antiquity, the only major religion in the Middle East other than Judaism and polytheism. Its doctrine centers around an eternal war between Good (represented by '''Ahura Mazda''', or '''Ormazd''') and Evil (represented by '''Angra Mainyu''', or '''Ahriman'''). The former can be roughly equated with The Abrahamic {{God}} but the latter is definitely '''[[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial not]]''' {{Satan}}, since Satan is a [[FallenAngel rebel angel/spirit/former prosecutor]] fighting his own creator (beginning open rebellion around the time the Persians were running things, [[HijackedByJesus for some reason]]) - thus, FailureIsTheOnlyOption. Ahriman is Ahura Mazda's uncreated EvilCounterpart and thus an equal or near-equal GodOfEvil who actually has an equally valid claim to the title of "Everyone's Boss" (though akin to Satan, he will [[EvilWillFail lose in the end anyway]]). Humans have free will, and they face their own personal version of the divine struggle, between Truth and the Lie. Based on one's actions in their struggle, they are either led to paradise (the word comes to us from Zoroastrianism) or hell. Though interestingly, hell in Zoroastrianism is not eternal, but meant to reform people.

* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'': The Faith of R'hllor, the Lord of Light, is a good match for Crystal Dragon Zoroastrianism.[[note]]Though its rise in the form of numerous cults throughout Westeros has more in common with Gnostic sects like the Cathars... not that there aren't parallels between Gnostic thought and Zoroastrianism, especially considering the strong links between Gnosticism and Manicheanism, which was itself an offshoot of Zoroastrianism.[[/note]] Adherents acknowledge two gods: a Red God who represents light and life, and the Great Other who represents cold, darkness, and death.

Zoroastrianism was the national religion of the various pre-Islamic Persian dynasties ([[UsefulNotes/TheAchaemenidEmpire the Achaemenides]], the Seleucids, Parthians, Sasanids). A heretical form of Zoroastrianism was also followed in UsefulNotes/{{Armenia}} (which for a time was even ruled by a cadet branch of the Arsacid house of Persia[[note]]The ruling dynasty of the Parthian Empire[[/note]]) before the kingdom converted to Christianity, with its own native deities thrown in. After the Islamic conquest of Persia they were sometimes regarded as "honorary people of the book" because they were so well-established in their country and were monotheists, and they lived in a second class but tolerable status alongside Christians and Jews. Like the majority of the non-Muslim inhabitants of the Muslim empires, however, the Caliphate's tax policies (in which non-Muslims paid far higher taxes than Muslims, and lacked access to positions in the administrative state and military) led to mass conversions in the centuries following the conquests (to the chagrin of the Caliphate, as they had to find alternative sources of revenue). Rather than convert, many of them fled to India where they remain today as the "Parsees" (a later, smaller group are called "Iranis"). The Parsees were favored in the days of UsefulNotes/TheRaj and had something of a reputation as a ProudMerchantRace.

Though now a small religion, Zoroastrians can be found in a number of places in the world. The largest groups in Asia are the Iranian Zoroastrians and the Parsis of India. Probably the best known Zoroastrian in the world was one Farrokh Bulsara, a British Parsi everyone knows as Music/FreddieMercury. Other famous Zoroastrians include ClassicalMusic conductor Zubin Mehta and actors Creator/ErickAvari and Creator/PersisKhambatta.

* The planar shard of Bant in the multiverse of ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' is partially based around Zoroastrian beliefs, especially with its different castes of angels, among them Asura and Amesha.
* In ''TabletopGame/{{Scion}}'', the Yazata, the Persian gods, originate from the Zoroastarian mythos.
* In ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}'', the Zoroastrian religion is seeing a bit of a rise, as it's the center of a magical tradition that's very attractive to those who believe that they should be doing good and kicking evil's ass. While most of the actual religious communities aren't open to converts, the magical communities tend to accept anyone who's willing to join the fight (even those who follow another religion).

* The ''VideoGame/CrusaderKingsII'' {{DLC}} ''The Old Gods'' makes Zoroastrians playable, and there are several Zoroastrian or Zoroastrian heretic realms available for play in the former Persian Empire (now ruled over by various Muslim empires, e.g. the Abbasid Caliphate at the 769 AD start date). You can reconquer the old Persian Empire, restore the high priesthood to unlock a Zoroastrian version of the crusades, and even proclaim yourself [[MessianicArchetype the prophesied Saoshyant]].

[[folder: Visual Novels]]

Though now a small religion, Zoroastrians can be found in a number of places in the world. The largest groups in Asia are the Iranian Zoroastrians and the Parsis of India. Probably the best known Zoroastrian in the world was one Farrokh Bulsara, a British Parsi everyone knows as Music/FreddieMercury. Other famous Zoroastrians include ClassicalMusic conductor Zubin Mehta and actress[=/=]model Creator/PersisKhambatta.

Though now a small religion, Zoroastrians can be found in a number of places in the world. The largest groups in Asia are the Iranian Zoroastrians and the Parsis of India. Probably the best known Zoroastrian in the world was one Farrokh Bulsara, a British Parsi everyone knows as Music/FreddieMercury. Other famous Zoroastrians include ClassicalMusic conductor Zubin Mehta and actress[=/=]model Persis Khambatta (Lieutenant Ilia in ''Film/StarTrekTheMotionPicture'').

One of the oldest religions in history and in Ancient times the only major religion in the Middle East other than Judaism and polytheism. Its doctrine centers around an eternal war between Good (represented by '''Ahura Mazda''', or '''Ormazd''') and Evil (represented by '''Angra Mainyu''', or '''Ahriman'''). The former can be roughly equated with The Abrahamic {{God}} but the latter is definitely '''[[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial not]]''' {{Satan}}, since Satan is a [[FallenAngel rebel angel/spirit/former prosecutor]] fighting his own creator (beginning open rebellion around the time the Persians were running things, [[HijackedByJesus for some reason]]) - thus, FailureIsTheOnlyOption. Ahriman is Ahura Mazda's uncreated EvilCounterpart and thus an equal or near-equal GodOfEvil who actually has an equally valid claim to the title of "Everyone's Boss" (though akin to Satan, he will [[EvilWillFail lose in the end anyway]]). Humans have free will, and they face their own personal version of the divine struggle, between Truth and the Lie. Based on one's actions in their struggle, they are either led to paradise (the word comes to us from Zoroastrianism) or hell. Though interestingly, hell in Zoroastrianism is not eternal, but meant to reform people.

One of the oldest religions in history and in Ancient times the only major religion in the Middle East other than Judaism and polytheism. Its doctrine centers around an eternal war between Good (represented by '''Ahura Mazda''', or '''Ormazd''') and Evil (represented by '''Angra Mainyu''', or '''Ahriman'''). The former can be roughly equated with {{God}} but the latter is definitely '''[[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial not]]''' {{Satan}}, since Satan is a [[FallenAngel rebel angel/spirit/former prosecutor]] fighting his own creator (beginning open rebellion around the time the Persians were running things, [[HijackedByJesus for some reason]]) - thus, FailureIsTheOnlyOption. Ahriman is Ahura Mazda's uncreated EvilCounterpart and thus an equal or near-equal GodOfEvil who actually has a shot at the title (though akin to Satan, he will [[EvilWillFail lose in the end anyway]]). Humans have free will, and they face their own personal version of the divine struggle, between Truth and the Lie. Based on one's actions in their struggle, they are either led to paradise (the word comes to us from Zoroastrianism) or hell. Though interestingly, hell in Zoroastrianism is not eternal, but meant to reform people.

One of the oldest religions in history and in Ancient times the only major religion in the Middle East other than Judaism and polytheism. Its doctrine centers around an eternal war between Good (represented by '''Ahura Mazda''', or '''Ormazd''') and Evil (represented by '''Angra Mainyu''', or '''Ahriman'''). The former can be roughly equated with {{God}} but the latter is definitely '''[[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial not]]''' {{Satan}}, since {{Satan}} is a [[FallenAngel rebel angel/spirit/former prosecutor]] fighting his own creator (beginning open rebellion around the time the Persians were running things, [[HijackedByJesus for some reason]]) - thus, FailureIsTheOnlyOption. Ahriman is Ahura Mazda's uncreated EvilCounterpart and thus an equal or near-equal GodOfEvil who actually has a shot at the title (though akin to {{Satan}}, [[EvilWillFail he will lose in the end anyway]]). Humans have free will, and they face their own personal version of the divine struggle, between Truth and the Lie. Based on one's actions in their struggle, they are either led to paradise (the word comes to us from Zoroastrianism) or hell. Though interestingly, hell in Zoroastrianism is not eternal, but meant to reform people.

Zoroastrianism was the national religion of the various pre-Islamic Persian dynasties ([[UsefulNotes/TheAchaemenidEmpire the Achaemenides]], the Seleucids, Parthians, Sasanids). A heretical form of Zoroastrianism was also followed in UsefulNotes/{{Armenia}} before the kingdom converted to Christianity, with its own native deities thrown in. After the Islamic conquest of Persia they were sometimes regarded as "honorary people of the book" because they were so well-established in their country and were monotheists, and they lived in a second class but tolerable status alongside Christians and Jews. Like the majority of the non-Muslim inhabitants of the Muslim empires, however, the Caliphate's tax policies (in which non-Muslims paid far higher taxes than Muslims, and lacked access to positions in the administrative state and military) led to mass conversions in the centuries following the conquests (to the chagrin of the Caliphate, as they had to find alternative sources of revenue). Rather than convert, many of them fled to India where they remain today as the "Parsees" (a later, smaller group are called "Iranis"). The Parsees were favored in the days of UsefulNotes/TheRaj and had something of a reputation as a ProudMerchantRace.

Zoroastrianism was the national religion of the various pre-Islamic Persian dynasties ([[UsefulNotes/TheAchaemenidEmpire the Achaemenides]], the Seleucids, Parthians, Sasanids). A heretical form of Zoroastrianism was also followed in UsefulNotes/{{Armenia}} before the kingdom converted to Christianity, with its own native deities thrown in. After the Islamic conquest of Persia they were sometimes regarded as "honorary people of the book" because they were so well-established in their country and were monotheists, and they lived in a second class but tolerable status alongside Christians and Jews. Like the majority of the non-Muslim inhabitants of the Muslim empires, however, the Caliphate's tax policies (in which non-Muslims pay far higher taxes than Muslims, and lacked access to positions in the administrative state and military) led to mass conversions in the centuries following the conquests (to the chagrin of the Caliphate, as they had to find alternative sources of revenue). Rather than convert, many of them fled to India where they remain today as the "Parsees" (a later, smaller group are called "Iranis"). The Parsees were favored in the days of UsefulNotes/TheRaj and had something of a reputation as a ProudMerchantRace.

Zoroastrianism was the national religion of the various pre-Islamic Persian dynasties ([[UsefulNotes/TheAchaemenidEmpire the Achaemenides]], the Seleucids, Parthians, Sasanids). A heretical form of Zoroastrianism was also followed in UsefulNotes/{{Armenia}} before the kingdom converted to Christianity, with its own native deities thrown in. After the Islamic conquest of Persia they were sometimes regarded as "honorary people of the book" because they were so well-established in their country and were monotheists, and they lived in a second class but tolerable status alongside Christians and Jews. Like the majority of the non-Muslim inhabitants of the Muslim empires, however, the Caliphate's tax policies (in which non-Muslims pay far higher taxes than Muslims) led to mass conversions in the centuries following the conquests (to the chagrin of the Caliphate, as they had to find alternative sources of revenue). Rather than convert, many of them fled to India where they remain today as the "Parsees" (a later, smaller group are called "Iranis"). The Parsees were favored in the days of UsefulNotes/TheRaj and had something of a reputation as a ProudMerchantRace.

Among their more interesting customs was the belief in the sacredness of earth, water, and most famously, fire. This led to the custom of keeping an eternal flame at Zoroastrian temples. This also led to the mistaken belief by outsiders that they actually worshiped fire rather than regarding it as a symbol of Ahura Mazda. But one of the stranger aspects of this was the custom of disposing of the dead by placing them in raised platforms ("Towers of Silence") for the birds to eat to avoid desecration of sacred elements.

Though now a small religion, Zoroastrians can be found in a number of places in the world. The largest groups in Asia are the Iranian Zoroastrians and the Parsis of India. Probably the best known Zoroastrian in the world was one Farrokh Bulsara, a British Parsi everyone knows as Music/FreddieMercury.

[[folder: Visual Novels]]
* Although Angra Mainyu is mentioned in the backstory of ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'', he doesn't actually appear. [[spoiler: During the Third Holy Grail War, the Einzbern family ''tries'' to summon him as an Avenger-class servant[[note]]in a normal grail war, there are 7 classes - Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker; the Einzbern family chose to summon an Avenger in place of a Berserker[[/note]] but they end up getting a nameless villager who was executed by his village as All the World's Evils, and as such, identifies as the spirit]].
[[/folder]]

* Creator/FriedrichNietzsche's ''[[Literature/AlsoSprachZarathustra Thus Spoke Zarathustra]]'' is a deliberate reference to the original prophet of Zoroastrianism. Nietzsche had a...''peculiar''...perspective on the doctrines of Zoroastrianism, and the philosophy espoused in ''Thus Spoke Zarathustra'' is an expression of this.

Though now a small religion, Zoroastrians can be found in a number of places in the world. The largest groups in Asia are the Iranian Zoroastrians and the Parsis of India. Probably the best known Zoroastrian in the world was one Farrokh Bulsara, a British Parsi[[note]]Born in [[UsefulNotes/{{Tanzania}} Zanzibar]] to Gujarati Parsi parents, though he was sent to India and then England for his education[[/note]] everyone knows as Music/FreddieMercury.

* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'': The Faith of R'hllor, the Lord of Light, is a good match for Crystal Dragon Zoroastrianism.[[note]]Though its rise in the form of numerous cults throughout Westeros has more in common with Gnostic sects like the Cathars... not that there aren't parallels between Gnostic thought and Zoroastrianism.[[/note]] Adherents acknowledge two gods: a Red God who represents light and life, and the Great Other who represents cold, darkness, and death.

Though now a small religion, Zoroastrians can be found in a number of places in the world. The largest groups in Asia are the Iranian Zoroastrians and the Parsis of India. Probably the best known Zoroastrian in the world was one Farrokh Bulsara, a British Parsi everyone knows as Music/FreddieMercury.

Though now a small religion, Zoroastrians can be found in a number of places in the world. The largest groups in Asia are the Iranian Zoroastrians and the Parsis of India. Probably the best known Zoroastrian in the world was one Farrokh Bulsara, a British Parsi everyone knows as [[Music/{{Queen}} Freddie Mercury]].