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Zoroastrianism Facts & Worksheets

Zoroastrianism was an ancient religion established by the prophet Zoroaster. It is one of the earliest monotheistic religions in the world, and up to the Muslim conquest of Persia in the 7th century.

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Zoroastrianism was an ancient religion established by the prophet Zoroaster, also known as Zarathustra, approximately 3,500 years ago in ancient Persia. It is one of the earliest monotheistic religions in the world, and up to the Muslim conquest of Persia in the 7th century, it was the official religion of the Persian Empire.

See the fact file below for more information on Zoroastrianism, or you can download our 27-page Zoroastrianism worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ORIGINS OF ZOROASTRIANISM?

  • Up until the Muslim conquest of Persia in the seventh century BCE, Zoroastrianism was the official religion of three Persian dynasties. Parsis, or Zoroastrian refugees, left Iran to avoid persecution at the hands of Muslims. Zoroastrianism is still practiced as a minority religion in some regions of Iran and India and has between 100,000 and 200,000 adherents today.
  • Zoroastrianism has roots in both Hinduism and the Vedic religion of ancient India. During the second millennium BCE, it is believed to have started in Central Asia and migrated south to Iran. In particular, Sistan and the Helmand basin are prominent in Zoroastrian imagery, showing that this region was a hub for the religion from its inception. 
  • Few written sources from this period have survived, therefore, the early history of Zoroastrianism is mostly unknown. 
  • However, it is thought that the religion first spread throughout the Persian Empire during the Achaemenid Empire in the sixth century BCE.
  • Zoroastrianism rose to prominence in Persia as the state religion during the Sassanian Empire’s rule (224-651 CE). 
  • The Sassanians codified the Avesta, the sacred text of Zoroastrianism, made substantial advances to its theology, and they established the faith as the state religion.
  • But Zoroastrianism started to wane when Islam spread to Persia in the 7th century CE. Zoroastrian believers were persecuted, and many of their sacred sites were destroyed as a result of the Muslim conquest of Persia. Many Zoroastrians eventually emigrated to India, where they became the Parsi community.

BELIEFS of  ZOROASTRIANISM

  • The universe was created and is sustained by a single supreme god, Ahura Mazda, according to Zoroastrianism. Ahura Mazda, the god of light, truth, and righteousness, stands for good.
  • Angra Mainyu, a symbol of darkness, treachery, and corruption, stands for evil. 
  • According to Zoroastrians, these two opposing powers are engaged in a continual conflict throughout the universe. The ultimate purpose is to favor good over evil and to work toward establishing a just and virtuous world. A major focus of Zoroastrianism is moral conduct, such as honesty, goodness, and charity.
  • The belief in an afterlife is one of Zoroastrianism’s most recognizable aspects.  
  • The belief holds that people will be judged after death according to the deeds they committed while still alive and that their soul will either be granted eternal life in paradise or punished with everlasting punishment in hell.
  • Zoroastrianism also places a lot of emphasis on morals and ethics. The religion places a strong emphasis on leading a life that is good for oneself, one’s community, and the entire planet. 
  • Zoroastrians are urged to lead virtuous lives that include traits like sincerity, charity, and compassion. According to the faith, people should make an effort to improve the world through their deeds and conduct.
  • Additionally, fire is revered as a sacred element and a sign of purity. The rites and practices of the faith heavily rely on fire temples. Zoroastrians utilize fire to symbolize the strength of justice and purity because they believe it to be a symbol of Ahura Mazda’s presence.
  • Since there is no recorded text, it is unknown how Zoroastrians practiced their religion or carried out rites. The gods were worshipped in outdoor shrines known as Fire Temples, altars on which the fire of the deity was always kept lit, and there was a priestly class, subsequently known as the magi. However, some components of the faith were preserved in subsequent Zoroastrian works. 

“One need not scale the heights of the heavens, nor travel along the highways of the world to find Ahura Mazda. With purity of mind and holiness of heart, one can find Him in one’s own heart.”


~ Zoroaster~

ZOROASTER

  • Zoroaster, often referred to as Zarathustra, was a prophet and founder of the Zoroastrian faith in ancient Persia. 
  • Although the precise dates of his existence are unknown, it is thought that he lived between 1500 BCE and 500 BCE.
  • His teachings on monotheism were one of Zoroaster’s most important contributions to Zoroastrianism. 
  • He propagated the idea that the universe was created by the sole supreme god Ahura Mazda. At the time, this was a novel concept because the majority of the local religions were polytheistic. Other religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, were greatly influenced by Zoroaster’s monotheistic doctrines.

“With an open mind, seek and listen to all the highest ideals. Consider the most enlightened thoughts. Then choose your path, person by person, each for oneself.”

~ Zoroaster~

  • The ideas of good and evil, free choice and the significance of leading a moral and ethical life are also part of Zoroaster’s teachings.
  • The Avesta, the Zoroastrian sacred book that contains hymns, prayers, and lessons on ethics and morals, contains Zoroaster’s teachings.
  • Zoroastrianism was originally the main religion in the Persian Empire, but it is now mainly practiced in India and Iran as a minority faith.
  • Additionally, Zoroaster introduced a number of customs that Zoroastrians continue to follow today. Daily prayers, rites of purification, and the worship of fire, which is seen as a representation of holiness and divinity, are some of these customs. 
  • The heritage and background of Zoroastrianism are inextricably linked to the fire temples where its adherents congregate to pray and carry out rites.

IS ZOROASTRIANISM STILL ALIVE?

  • It is believed that just a small minority of individuals still follow Zoroastrianism in the modern era. 
  • Although exact statistics are impossible to ascertain, estimates indicate that there are between 100,000 and 200,000 Zoroastrians in the world.
  • Zoroastrianism is still practiced today in remote parts of the Middle East, particularly Iran, but is more affluent in India, where Parsis, also known as Parsees, are the descendants of Zoroastrian Persian immigrants. The religion is known as Parsiism in India. 
  • Many of the ideas and beliefs of Zoroastrianism may be found in other religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Zoroastrianism has had a tremendous influence on the religions and cultures of the world.
  • The development of Persian culture and civilization, including its art, literature, and architecture, was also affected by the religion.
  • Zoroastrianism has experienced a lot of obstacles in modern times, including dwindling numbers and challenges in maintaining its customs and practices in a world that is changing quickly. 
  • There is a growing interest in the religion and its teachings among academics and anyone who is interested in the history of religion and philosophy, and many Zoroastrians still work to maintain their religion and culture.

Zoroastrianism Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Zoroastrianism across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism was an ancient religion established by the prophet Zoroaster, also known as Zarathustra, approximately 3,500 years ago in ancient Persia.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Zoroastrianism Facts
  2. Zoroaster
  3. Ahura Mazda
  4. Gods of Zoroastrianism
  5. For the Body and Soul
  6. The Good and the Evil
  7. The Constellations
  8. The Threefold Path
  9. Name-day Feasts
  10. New Year Poem
  11. Words to Live by

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zoroastrianism?

Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest religions, founded by the prophet Zarathustra (or Zoroaster) in ancient Persia around the 6th century BCE. It is a monotheistic faith centered around the worship of Ahura Mazda, the supreme deity, and places a strong emphasis on moral responsibility and the eternal battle between good and evil.

What are the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism?

The primary sacred texts of Zoroastrianism are the Avesta, a collection of ancient scriptures composed in Avestan, an extinct Iranian language. The Avesta consists of hymns, prayers, rituals, and teachings attributed to Zarathustra. The most important part of the Avesta is the Gathas, a collection of hymns believed to be composed by Zarathustra himself.

What are some key beliefs in Zoroastrianism?

Zoroastrians engage in various rituals and practices, including regular prayers, worship in fire temples, and participation in religious festivals. Fire plays a significant role as a symbol of purity in Zoroastrian worship. Ritual purity, personal hygiene, and respect for nature are also emphasized in daily life. Additionally, rituals such as initiation (navjote) and marriage ceremonies hold special importance in the community.

What are some important rituals and practices in Zoroastrianism?

Zoroastrians engage in various rituals and practices, including regular prayers, worship in fire temples, and participation in religious festivals. Fire plays a significant role as a symbol of purity in Zoroastrian worship. Ritual purity, personal hygiene, and respect for nature are also emphasized in daily life. Additionally, rituals such as initiation (navjote) and marriage ceremonies hold special importance in the community.

What is the current status of Zoroastrianism?

Zoroastrianism was once a dominant religion in Persia, but over the centuries, its followers, known as Zoroastrians or Parsis, faced persecution and migration. Today, the majority of Zoroastrians can be found in India, particularly in the state of Gujarat, and they are known as the Parsi community. The global Zoroastrian population is relatively small, estimated to be around 100,000 to 200,000 individuals. Efforts are being made to preserve and promote the religion and its traditions.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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