What does the fravashi symbol fight?

The fravashi of an individual sends out the urvan (often translated as ‘soul’) into the material world to fight the battle of good versus evil. The winged-disc symbol of Zoroastrianism is traditionally interpreted as a depiction of a fravashi.

What are basic beliefs of Zoroastrianism?

Zoroastrians believe that there is one universal, transcendent, all-good, and uncreated supreme creator deity, Ahura Mazda, or the “Wise Lord” (Ahura meaning “Lord” and Mazda meaning “Wisdom” in Avestan).

What are the three principles of Zoroastrianism?

The basic tenets of the Gathas consist of a monotheistic worship of Ahura Mazda (the “Lord Wisdom”) and an ethical dualism opposing Truth (Asha) and Lie, which permeate the entire universe.

What is the moral code of Zoroastrianism?

Zoroastrians believe that the elements are pure and that fire represents God’s light or wisdom. Zoroaster placed less emphasis on ritual worship, instead focusing on the central ethics of ‘Good Words, Good Thoughts and Good Deeds’. Zoroastrian worship is not prescriptive.

What is fravashi?

fravashi, in Zoroastrianism, the preexisting external higher soul or essence of a person (according to some sources, also of gods and angels). Associated with Ahura Mazdā, the supreme divinity, since the first creation, they participate in his nature of pure light and inexhaustible bounty.

What does the Faravahar symbolize?

The faravahar is the best-known symbol from ancient Persia of the winged sun disk with a seated male figure in the center. It is thought to represent Ahura Mazda, the god of Zoroastrianism, but has also been interpreted to signify other concepts, including: Fravashi (Guardian Angel) Farr or Khvarenah (Divine Grace)

Why do Zoroastrians wear a mask?

In present-day Zoroastrian tradition, the offering is never made directly, but placed in the care of the celebrant priest who, wearing a cloth mask over the nostrils and mouth to prevent pollution from the breath, will then – using a pair of silver tongs – place the offering in the fire.

What does fravashi mean in Zoroastrianism?

Fravashi. Fravashi, in Zoroastrianism, the preexisting external higher soul or essence of a person (according to some sources, also of gods and angels). Associated with Ahura Mazdā, the supreme divinity, since the first creation, they participate in his nature of pure light and inexhaustible bounty.

What is the Faravahar (fravashi)?

It is a divine blessing granted by Ahura Mazda at birth and is entirely good. This is different from the rest of the soul, which will be judged according to its deeds on the day of judgment. Today, the Faravahar continues to be associated with the fravashi.

What is fravashi and Vashi?

The term Fravashi is made up of two parts, Frawhich has been interpreted as “to go forward” and, vashiwhich comes from the root vaksh, meaning “to grow”. So Fravashi is that power in a substance which enables it to move forward i.e. to progress.

What is the Zoroastrianism Faravahar?

The winged symbol now associated with Zoroastrianism known as the Faravahar has its origins in an older symbol of a winged disk without a human figure within it. This older symbol, more than 4000 years old and found in both Egypt and Mesopotamia, was commonly associated with the sun and deities strongly connected with the sun.