Collection H

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https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/19489

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Browsing Collection H by browse.metadata.advisor "Cook, Johann"

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    Religious aspects of the fire rituals in Iranian Zoroastrianism
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1996) Dale, L. H. (Louise Helen); Cook, Johann; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of . Dept. of Ancient Studies.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary theme of my research is the religious aspect of fire rituals in IranianZoroastrianism. To allow me to fully explore this theme I have made an intensivestudy of the cultural and archaeological evidence from this period in the prehistoryof ancient Iran. I have also examined the religion of these ancient Iranians, andhave discussed the relevance of fire in their ancient religion, and how Zarathustraincorporated these fire rituals into his teachings of Zoroastrianism.The sub-theme is the link between the....s_un r and its earthly representative, fire. Thissub-theme encompasses the religious aspect of fire, and its ritual representation, as both are closely connected to the sun and the cosmic order. The ancientIranians linked the movements of the heavenly bodies to the seasonal cycles. Thesun, as a dominant force in the heavens, developed a special significance andwas often central to seasonal celebrations.Zarathustra developed a complex pantheon of deities to assist the central and onlyGod, Ahura Mazda. These "assistants" incorporate within themselves aspects ofFire, which is more than a physical fire. This Fire is linked with Righteousness, andin tum these two concepts are linked with the sun. It is because of this divine linkbetween the sun, Fire, Righteousness and Ahura Mazda, that the sun is able tocontrol the cosmic order, and thus the seasons. The deities are a personification ofa physical concept, and they absorb this aspect and become as one with it, e.g.Khsathra Vairya is the personification of Good Dominion, and is associated withthe sky and the earth. When this deity is worshipped the sky and earth are alsoworshipped because of this association. The deities have days of the monthdedicated to them, and have annual festivals at which they are worshipped,ensuring that the devoted Zoroastrian is constantly aware of the one God AhuraMazda and his assistants. By being aware of these deities the Zoroastrian isalways striving to live a Good Life, do Good Deeds and think Good Thoughts, as these actions will ensure that the Zoroastrian will join Ahura Mazda at the end of creation. The seasonal festivals coincide with specific days in the annual cycle of the sun around the earth, e.g. the festival of No R6z ushers in the New Year and signals the end of winter. This was another way in which Zarathustra ensured that his followers were constantly aware of the deities, especially Ahura Mazda. My study gives an insight into how Zarathustra linked the physical fire to the sun, and through this link the cosmic seasons and cycles.