The spelling of "Zoroastrian" may seem daunting at first glance, but it is quite straightforward when broken down phonetically. The word is pronounced as zôr-uh-stree-uhn, with the stress on the second syllable. It is derived from the name of the founder of the religion, Zoroaster or Zarathustra. The "Z" at the beginning represents the voiced alveolar fricative consonant /z/, while the "zh" sound typically associated with the letter "z" is absent in this case. The rest of the word follows a straightforward English spelling convention.
Zoroastrian refers to an individual who follows or practices the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic faith that originated in ancient Persia, now modern-day Iran, and is one of the world's oldest known religions. Its teachings are attributed to the prophet Zoroaster or Zarathustra, who is believed to have lived around 1000 BCE.
The core tenets of Zoroastrianism revolve around the existence of one supreme deity, Ahura Mazda, who is considered the creator and source of all goodness. Zoroastrians believe in the eternal battle between good and evil, represented by Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu respectively. They emphasize the importance of choosing the virtuous path and upholding moral, ethical, and spiritual principles to attain salvation and avert damnation.
Zoroastrians hold fire as a sacred element and often worship in fire temples. They believe that fire symbolizes the divine light and wisdom bestowed by Ahura Mazda. Additionally, Zoroastrians adhere to other key principles such as truthfulness, charity, purity, and respect for nature.
The number of Zoroastrians has declined significantly over the centuries, and they are now a minority religious community concentrated in Iran and India, with diaspora communities in various parts of the world. Despite their relatively small numbers, Zoroastrians have made notable contributions to art, literature, and philosophy throughout history and have left a lasting impact on Persian culture and identity.
Pert. to Zoroaster or his religious system.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Zoroastrian" refers to a member of the ancient Persian religion known as Zoroastrianism, which was founded by the prophet Zoroaster (or Zarathustra) in the 6th century BCE. The term itself has its roots in the name of this religious figure.
The etymology of the word "Zoroastrian" can be traced back to the Old Persian language. In Old Persian, the term "Zaraθuštra" meant "he who possesses golden camels" or "he of the golden light". This term eventually evolved into the Greek form "Zoroaster" and later into the English term "Zoroastrian".
It is important to note that Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion in Persia (now Iran) before the Islamic conquests.