Zoroastrianism where is it practiced

Three specific fires are named by Zoroastrian tradition and came to carry special cultic significance; these were the flames of Farnbag, Gushnasp, and Burzen-Mihr. The Farnbag fire was associated with the priesthood, and was first kept in Khwarezm.

According to tradition it was transported a number of times since the sixth century BC, until it was moved to a permanent seat in the sanctuary of Kariyan in Fars this location has not been identified. The Gushnasp fire was originally kept in Media as the fire of the magi, but in later centuries it became a symbol of monarchy. The fire altar on royal Sassanian coins included in this exhibit may depict the Gushnasp flame.

The last fire, the Burzen-Mihr, was associated with the peasantry, and was ranked lower than the others. Localized "branch" fires of these main three were maintained in temples, royal palaces and in villages. It is possible that Zoroastrianism was carried by Iranian traders into East China as early as the sixth century BCE, and there may even be reason to believe that magi served in the court of the Western Zhou dynasty prior to the eighth century BCE.

References : 1 Richard C. This supreme God is worshipped and his prophet is Zoroaster. Zoroaster is not worshipped but is followed as his directed path of truth and righteousness; asha will lead men and women to God. Along with Ahura Mazda are his retinue of immortals; Amesha Spentas who are also his divine attributes. By knowing them, man can know God.

They are:. This dualism is twofold — cosmic and moral. There is also a moral duality that points towards the inherent good and evil sides of a human being. Chak Chak is a shrine near the city of Ardakan in Yazd province Iran and serves as a pilgrimage point for Zoroastrians. Zoroastrians are not fire worshippers as is generally believed although fire is an important symbol in their faith.

Fire or light represents the divine light of the Ahura Mazda. Therefore, when a Zoroastrian prays, he prays in the direction of fire or light.

To represent these, a Zoroastrian will wear around him a cord, called a kusti that has been knotted thrice. Zoroastrians also promote communal worship, which may be conducted during seasonal festivals or social functions such as marriage or navjote, the initiation ceremony of a young child into Zoroastrianism.

It also does not promote temple worship and believers are allowed to pray at home. There are ever dwindling numbers of Zoroastrians left in the world.

They primarily reside in India and Iran. There are only about , Zoroastrians left and their population continues to decline steadily. It is often observed in the Zoroastrian community that they tend to marry late and often do not bear children. These are one of the main reasons why their population is decreasing.

Furthermore, since Zoroastrianism does not accept children of mixed marriage and inter-religious marriages, they lose several new inclusions into their faith. Zoroastrianism has flourished in the modern age. They were quick to accept the new changes. Parsis are the frontrunners of many fields in India.

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