Religious Research

Religious Research

Examining the Divinity of Fire in Zoroastrianism

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Seyed Saeid Reza Montazeri 1
Roqayeh Irandegani 2
Mustafa Farhoudi 3
1 Associate Professor, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Farabi Campus, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran
2 PhD Graduate in Religions and Mysticism, specialization in Ancient Iranian Religions
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Eastern Religions, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
10.22034/jrr.2025.459648.2183
Abstract
Zoroastrianism, the ancient religion of the Iranian peoples, in addition to its attention to religious law and emphasis on ritual practices, also possesses an illuminative and esoteric dimension. Behdinans is the name by which the followers of this religion identify themselves. According to their traditions and teachings, which they regard as deriving from their messenger, they consider themselves obligated to observe religious and ritual practices, particularly acts of worship and prayer, which are performed individually or collectively before a luminous source. This involves turning their attention toward this luminous center, for which fire has been chosen on earth as its representative and qibla. The motivation underlying the Zoroastrians’ attention to and emphasis on the radiance of fire, particularly during prayer, is the primary subject of this study. The central question of this article is whether Zoroastrians should be regarded as fire worshippers, or whether, in these centers of light, particularly in the sacred fire, they have perceived sparks of the divine manifestations of God.
Keywords
divinity
fire
Behdinans
Zoroastrianism
Subjects
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