 |
| All it takes is one drop of poison |
https://iranbeyondthenews.wordpress.com/2014/07/24/zoroastrianism-3/
July 24, 2014
ZOROASTRIANISM STILL MARKS THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF IRANIANS
Zoroastrianism is the ancient religion of Iran. It is still practiced in Iran and around the world. But what was once the official state religion of Persian empires is now the religion of a minority. Despite this, Zoroastrianism is part of the Iranian culture. It marks the festivities (Persian New Year also known as Nowruz, Winter solstice known as Yalda), the most famous ancient site (Persepolis), the society and the whole Persian myth.
From the state religion to the religion of a minority
Zoroastrianism was present in Iran since 1200 Before Christ. After it was reformed by prophet Zoroaster, it soon became the state religion of the first Persian empires.
After the Arab invasion of Iran in the 8th century, Islam slowly overtook Zoroastrianism either by force or by adaptation to the new Arab rulers. Some Zoroastrians fled to India where they founded the community known as Parsis. Others stayed in Iran. They are a minority today.
The Prophet
Zoroaster also known as Zardosht or Zartosht in Persian. He was not the founder, but the reformer of the religion. Before him, several gods were praised, animals were sacrificed and a hallucinogen (Haoma) was used in ceremonies. Under his vision, one creator Ahura Mazda was the creator of all good. All Zoroastrians had to act and talk well to keep chaos away.
What I prefer about the religion
Its motto: Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds. I think it is the coolest motto of all religions. It sums things up pretty well.
What I find strange
The funeral. Nothing must be left of the body so as not to pollute the good creation. The body is deposited at the top of a tower of silence and eaten by scavenger birds.
One key point which explains the few number of Zoroastrians
You are born a Zoroastrian. Parsis forbid conversion, but Iranian Zoroastrians allow it and even women have been allowed to become Zoroastrian priests.
Zoroastrianism may be practiced by a minority in Iran, but it is still present in many aspects of the Iranian life:
– festivities:
Nowruz: The first day of spring (21 March) also marks the Persian New Year. It is widely celebrated in Iran and is considered as a secular celebration and no longer a religious one. But it comes from the Zoroastrian solar calendar. Seven items starting with the letter S must be presented on a table. They all represent something:
Apple (sib) = beauty and health
Lentil (sabzeh) = rebirth
Garlic (sir) = medicine
Vinegar (serkeh) = age and patience
Somagh (spice) = sunrise
Samanu (pudding made from wheat) = affluence
Senjed (dried fruit) = love
Festival of Fire: Chaharshanbe suri marks the five last days of the year. The most notable custom is to jump over fire.
Yalda: Yalda marks the winter solstice on 21 December. People celebrate the longest night of the year by staying up past midnight, conversing, eating and reading the poems of Hafez interpreting the verse as predictions for their future.
– ancient site:
Persepolis: one of the most glorious capitals of Iran under the rule of Darius the Great. The emperor built the palace to celebrate the Nowruz festivities.
– rulers:
Pahlavi: The last dynasty in Iran (1921 to 1979) linked its destiny with the glory of ancient times by taking the name of Pahlavi. Pahlavi was the Old Persian language in which the sacred Zoroastrian book (Avesta) was written.
– jewellery:
One common piece of jewellery is the Faravahar (the guardian spirit). Men wear it on a necklace, even if they are not Zoroastrians. Simply because it is fashionable.
No comments:
Post a Comment