Zoroastrianism
Syllabification: (Zo·ro·as·tri·an·ism)
Pronunciation: /ˌzôrōˈastrēəˌnizəm/
Definition of Zoroastrianism
noun
- a monotheistic pre-Islamic religion of ancient Persia founded by Zoroaster in the 6th century bc.
According to the teachings of Zoroaster, the supreme god, named Ahura Mazda, created twin spirits, one of which chose truth and light, the other untruth and darkness. Later writings present a more dualistic cosmology in which the struggle is between Ahura Mazda (Ormazd) and the evil spirit Ahriman. The scriptures of Zoroastrianism are the Zend-Avesta. The language survives in isolated areas of Iran and in India, where its followers are known as Parsees
