Zoroastrianism: Quick Facts

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Did You Know?

In Zoroastrians's view, because God created nature, it is pure and should be treated respectfully, so Zoroastrians traditionally are concerned with the environment.
Iran outlawed 'dakhmas,' the towers where Zoroastrians would leave their dead exposed for several days before burying the bones, in the 1970s.
Less than 200,000 individuals practice Zoroastrianism today.

Photos

Zoroastrian fire temple in Yazd, Iran, with a symmetrical facade, columns supporting a portico, wooden doors, and the Faravahar symbol above the entrance.

A Zoroastrian priest in white robes and a mouth cover adds wood to a large burning fire in a metal vessel at the Fire Temple of Yazd in Iran.

Zoroastrianism: Gahānbār festival

Thematic map of ancient Iran and surrounding regions, shaded in light green to indicate the extent of ancient Iran. The map marks significant religious and archaeological sites of ancient Indo-Iranian peoples, other ancient sites, and modern pockets of Zoroastrianism, with symbols distinguishing each type of site across areas that now include Iran, Afghanistan, and neighboring territories.

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Topics

Tishtrya Atar Hvar Khshaita Tiri Vrthraghna Parsiism Zoroastrian calendar How Have Zoroastrians Been Treated in Muslim Iran?Mazdakism Zurvanism Christianity Manichaeism Judaism Hinduism Buddhism Islam Taoism Sikhism Confucianism Roman religion

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Key People

Ahura Mazdā

Zarathushtra

Iranian prophet

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R.C. Zaehner

British historian

Eugène Burnouf

French Orientalist

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al-Muqannaʿ

religious leader