Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes ProCon History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture Money Videos
Zoroastrianism
Table of Contents
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images
Zoroastrian Fire Temple of Yazd, Iran Zoroastrianism: temple fire dakhma Zoroastrianism: Gahānbār festival religious sites of ancient Indo-Iranian peoples
Related Questions
Read Next
Towers of silence in a barren desert under clear blue skies. A Dakhma, also known as the Tower of Silence, is a circular, raised structure built by Zoroastrians for excarnation
How Have Zoroastrians Been Treated in Muslim Iran?
Ahura Mazda - relief of the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda at the ancient ruins of Persepolis in Iran. Also known as Ormazd Zoroastrianism,
Which Religion Is the Oldest?
The Chinese philosopher Confucius (Koshi) in conversation with a little boy in front of him. Artist: Yashima Gakutei. 1829
The Axial Age: 5 Fast Facts
Discover
Thumbnail for flags that look alike quiz Russia, Slovenia, Iceland, Norway
Flags That Look Alike
Ethel Rosenberg arrested in August 1950. Photograph dated Aug. 8, 1950. American civilians executed for espionage. Spies, communists, Julius Rosenberg
Spies Like Us: 10 Famous Names in the Espionage Game
earthquake. Heavily damaged school in the town of Yingxiu after a major earthquake struck China's Sichuan Province on May 12, 2008.
The 6 Deadliest Earthquakes Since 1950
Los Angeles Police Department wanted flyer on Elizabeth Short, aka the "Black Dahlia," who was brutally murdered in January 1947. The FBI supported the Los Angeles Police Department in the case, including by identifying Short through her fingerprints that
America’s 5 Most Notorious Cold Cases (Including One You May Have Thought Was Already Solved)
Orange basketball on black background and with low key lighting. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society
The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time
Santa Claus flying in his sleigh, christmas, reindeer
Was Santa Claus a Real Person?
Rural Irish landscape, Sligo, Ireland.
Why Is Ireland Two Countries?

Zoroastrianism: Facts & Related Content

verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/facts/Zoroastrianism
Written and fact-checked by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

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 of Yazd, Iran
Zoroastrianism: temple fire
dakhma
Zoroastrianism: Gahānbār festival
religious sites of ancient Indo-Iranian peoples
See All Images →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

Ahura Mazdā
Zarathushtra
Iranian prophet
R.C. Zaehner
British historian
Eugène Burnouf
French Orientalist
al-Muqannaʿ
religious leader

Related Quizzes and Features

List
The Chinese philosopher Confucius (Koshi) in conversation with a little boy in front of him. Artist: Yashima Gakutei. 1829
The Axial Age: 5 Fast Facts