--- title: Ahura Mazda author: Radu Cristian source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Ahura_Mazda/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Ahura Mazda _Authored by [Radu Cristian](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/cristiradu91/)_ Ahura Mazda (also known as Ahuramazda, Harzoo, Hormazd, Hourmazd, Hurmuz, Ohrmazd, 'Lord' or 'Spirit') is the highest spirit worshipped in [Zoroastrianism](https://www.worldhistory.org/zoroastrianism/), the old Mede and [ancient Persian mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ancient_Persian_Mythology/) which spread across Asia predating [Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/christianity/). Ahura Mazda is the creator of the universe and all the things in it, being at the same time wise and good. ### Name & Characteristics As with all supreme deities, Ahura Mazda carries a long list of titles and characteristics. He is the supreme being in Garothman (heaven), the uncreated spirit. Beyond, apart and without him, there is nothing in existence. He is changeless, moving all while not being moved by anyone, has no equal, and no one can take the heavens from him. He favors the just man, upholding the truth and proper behavior. Ahura Mazda created the twin spirits, Angra Mainyu, the destructive spirit, and Spenta Meynu, the good spirit. Mazda, or the Avestan form of the Mazdā, reflects the proto-Iranian word *Mazdāh* which is a feminine noun. Considered the proper name of the [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/), it may also come from the [Sanskrit](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sanskrit/) word *medhās*, meaning 'intelligence' or 'wisdom'. During the [Achaemenid](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Achaemenid/) era, the name was Ahuramazda, during the Parthian the form of Hormazd was used and, finally, in the [Sassanian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sasanian_Empire/) we find the name Ohrmazd. ### Ahura Mazda & [Zarathustra](https://www.worldhistory.org/zoroaster/) Ahura Mazda was revealed to the prophet [Zoroaster](https://www.worldhistory.org/zoroaster/)/Zarathustra through a vision he had when he was 30 years old. When Zoroaster was 15, then, according to local custom, he was considered an adult and took up adult duties. Because he was born during violent times he grew up questioning the concept of righteousness and the conflict of good versus evil. As a result, he left his home, living in solitude, between the ages of 20 to 30, on a mountain. When he was 30 he participated in a spring festival as a member of a priestly family and one of his duties was to draw water from the deepest and purest part of the stream for the morning ceremony. Here at the Daytia river, he met the angel Vohu Mana. The entity asked Zoroaster who he was and what was the most important thing in his life. To which Zoroaster answered that he wanted most of all to be righteous, pure and wise. By this answer, he was granted a vision of Ahura Mazda and his archangels from whom he learned the principles that would lead to the [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/) known late as Zoroastrianism. ### Historical Evolution **[Achaemenid Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Achaemenid_Empire/)** During the Achaemenid [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) (c. 550 – 330 BCE) the prophet, Zoroaster/Zarathustra is not mentioned in the inscriptions of the Achaemenid kings while Ahura Mazda is mentioned in opposition with the daeva. There are no solid links between the teachings of Zoroaster and the Achaemenid kings besides the emphasis on moral behavior. [ ![A Faravahar Symbol in a Fire Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/2637.jpg?v=1733309440-1733309455) A Faravahar Symbol in a Fire Temple ninara (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2637/a-faravahar-symbol-in-a-fire-temple/ "A Faravahar Symbol in a Fire Temple")**[Darius I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Darius_I/)** An inscription was made on a cliff at Naqsh-e Rustam, near [Persepolis](https://www.worldhistory.org/persepolis/), the summer [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) of [Darius](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/darius/) I (r. 522–486 BCE). Here Ahura Mazda is named creator of the world, creating the earth, the sky, and man, and also making Darius the king. The most important mention of Ahura Mazda from this period is the [Behistun Inscription](https://www.worldhistory.org/Behistun_Inscription/) written by Darius I in 516 BCE. The inscription accompanies a bas-relief depicting the victory of Darius over the pretender Gaumata, where the victor stands over the fallen and above them hovers Ahura Mazda represented here as a king within a winged solar disc. The text of the inscription mentions how Ahura Mazda helped the victor defeat his enemy and that he, Darius, was chosen to lead his kingdom by the "grace of Ahura Mazda". **[Parthian Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Parthia_(Empire)/)** In the time of the Parthian Empire (247 BCE - 224 CE), Zoroastrianism was embraced by its rulers, many temples were rebuilt which were previously destroyed during the campaigns of [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/) in 330 BCE. Also, Parthian rulers were more tolerant, besides Zoroastrianism religions like [Hinduism](https://www.worldhistory.org/hinduism/), [Buddhism](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/), Jews, Christians are also present. Ahura Mazda was worshipped among deities like [Mithra](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mithra/), an older god turned archangel in Zoroastrianism, and [Anahita](https://www.worldhistory.org/Anahita/), a female deity. Also, towards the end of the Parthian era, Ahura Mazda was represented as a male figure standing or on horseback, an image that will dominate the next era. **Zurvanism** Another form of Zoroastrianism, known as Zurvanism, formed during the [Sassanid](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sasanian_Empire/) Period (224-651 CE). During the reign of [Shapur I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Shapur_I/), the message of Zoroaster was discarded, Zurvan was named the supreme being and Ahura Mazda, now a created spirit, becomes a son of Zurvan besides Angra Mainyu/[Ahriman](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ahriman/). During the reign of Bahram II, Ahura Mazda was given the title which after would become one of his names, *Ohrmazd-mowbad*. #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Maneckji Nusservanji Dhalla. *History of Zoroastrianism.* K.R. Cama Oriental Institute, 1985.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B0007BVNIU/) - Prods Oktor Skjærvø. *An Introduction to Zoroastrianism.* 2005 ## About the Author I always had a passion for the past, I started with dinosaurs at a very young age and followed up to history by the time I finished high school. I wrote essays for school and participated in several projects when I was finishing my bachelor's degree. - [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/lector91) ## Timeline - **628 BCE - 551 BCE**: Life of [Zoroaster](https://www.worldhistory.org/zoroaster/), according to Pahlavi sources. - **224 CE**: [Zoroastrianism](https://www.worldhistory.org/zoroastrianism/) becomes Persian state [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/) under the [Sassanian Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sasanian_Empire/). ## Cite This Work ### APA Cristian, R. (2017, March 13). Ahura Mazda. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Ahura\_Mazda/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ahura_Mazda/) ### Chicago Cristian, Radu. "Ahura Mazda." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 13, 2017. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Ahura\_Mazda/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ahura_Mazda/). ### MLA Cristian, Radu. "Ahura Mazda." *World History Encyclopedia*, 13 Mar 2017, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Ahura\_Mazda/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ahura_Mazda/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Radu Cristian](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/cristiradu91/ "User Page: Radu Cristian"), published on 13 March 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. 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