Dual Wielding

The choice between truth and chaos defines the cosmic struggle.

Zoroastrianism, also called Mazdayasna and Behdin, is an Iranian religion centered on the Avesta and the teachings of Zarathushtra Spitama, known commonly as Zoroaster. Among the world's oldest organized faiths, it exalts Ahura Mazda, an uncreated, benevolent deity hailed as the supreme being of the universe. The foundational hymns, the Gathas, present a primary ethical dualism between Asha (truth and order) and Druj (chaos and the lie). Within this framework, Ahura Mazda stands above the conflict as the transcendent Creator, while the direct opposition exists between Spenta Mainyu and Angra Mainyu, two twin mentalities who exercised free will at creation.

Quick Facts

Classification: Iranian Religion
Requirement: Avesta and teachings of Zarathushtra Spitama
Skill tree affiliation: Ethical Dualism (Choice between Asha and Druj)

Lore & Background

Zoroaster's reforms divided early Iranian gods into ahura, divinities to be revered, and daeva, those to be rejected. Ahura Mazda works through gētīg (the visible material realm) and mēnōg (the invisible spiritual realm) via the Amesha Spenta, seven divine entities representing moral good. While early texts emphasize ethical choice, later non-canonical Middle Persian texts like the 9th-century Bundahishn developed a strict cosmic dualism where Angra Mainyu (Ahriman) became a co-equal adversary. Scholarly opinion varies on whether the faith is monotheistic or henotheistic; experts like Prods Oktor Skjærvø and Almut Hintze reject flat monotheism, noting that other Gods (Yazatas) such as Anahita and Mithra are naturally revered alongside the supreme Creator. The religion began during the Avestan period, possibly as early as the 2nd millennium BCE, becoming official under the Achaemenid Empire and revitalized by the Sasanian Empire.

Reader's Guide

Central beliefs are contained in the Avesta, specifically the Yasna section which includes the Gathas. Practitioners follow good thoughts (humata), good words (hukhta), and good deeds (huvarshta). Fire (atar) is held as particularly sacred, symbolizing Ahura Mazda and serving as a focal point for ceremonies in fire temples. Reverence extends to nature's elements, such as water (aban). The term Behdin, meaning 'of the good religion,' serves as a title for lay individuals inducted via Navjote ceremony, distinct from priestly titles like mobed or dastur. While some scholars characterize the faith as one of the oldest monotheistic religions, others emphasize its multi-divinity henotheistic system where Yazatas are worshiped alongside Ahura Mazda.

Did You Know?

The Parsis are descendants of Zoroastrians who migrated to India following Muslim conquests in the 7th century CE.
Prods Oktor Skjærvø explicitly excludes monotheism from early Zoroastrianism, admitting both ethical dualism and polytheism into the Gathic framework.