The Structure of Reality
Zoroastrian cosmology is founded on ethical dualism - the fundamental opposition between Asha (Truth/Order) and Druj (Lie/Chaos). This is not a balance between equals, but a cosmic war where good will ultimately triumph over evil. The entire universe is a battlefield in this sacred struggle, and every human choice contributes to one side or the other.
⚖️ The Fundamental Duality
✨ Asha (Truth/Order)
Represented by: Ahura Mazda and Spenta Mainyu (Holy Spirit)
- Truth, righteousness, cosmic order
- Light, fire, purity
- Life, health, fertility
- Good thoughts, good words, good deeds
- The Amesha Spentas and all Yazatas
- All beneficial creation
Ultimate Destiny: Complete victory at the end of time
😈 Druj (Lie/Chaos)
Represented by: Angra Mainyu (Destructive Spirit)
- Falsehood, deception, disorder
- Darkness, pollution, corruption
- Death, disease, infertility
- Evil thoughts, words, and deeds
- The Daevas and all demons
- All harmful counter-creation
Ultimate Destiny: Complete annihilation and defeat
⏳ The 12,000 Year Cosmic Timeline
Zoroastrian cosmology divides time into four periods of 3,000 years each, totaling 12,000 years from creation to the final renovation of the world.
📅 First 3,000 Years: Spiritual Creation
Menog (Spiritual State)
Ahura Mazda creates the world in spiritual/ideal form. All creation exists in a perfect, non-material state. Angra Mainyu dwells in darkness, unaware of the good creation.
🌍 Second 3,000 Years: Material Creation
Getig (Material State)
Ahura Mazda manifests creation in physical form: sky, water, earth, plants, animals, and humanity. The world is perfect and immortal. At the end of this period, Angra Mainyu discovers the good creation and is filled with envy.
⚔️ Third 3,000 Years: The Assault and Mixture
Gumezishn (Mixture of Good and Evil)
Angra Mainyu attacks the material world, introducing death, disease, suffering, and all evils. The perfect creation becomes mixed with corruption. Humanity, initially immortal and perfect, becomes mortal and vulnerable. This is the period of cosmic warfare.
🔥 Fourth 3,000 Years: The Age of Zarathustra to Final Victory
Wizarishn (Separation) - Current Age
Zarathustra receives revelation from Ahura Mazda (traditionally 630 BCE). Three savior figures (Saoshyants) will appear at 1,000 year intervals. The final Saoshyant will initiate the Frashokereti (renovation), where evil is completely destroyed, the dead are resurrected, and the world is restored to its original perfection. We currently live in this era.
🔥 Sacred Fire - Atar
Fire (Atar) is the son of Ahura Mazda and the supreme symbol of divine presence, wisdom, and purity. Unlike the other elements which can be corrupted, fire remains eternally pure. It cannot be defiled and actively purifies whatever it touches.
The Five Sacred Fires
- Atash Behram (Fire of Victory): The highest grade fire, consecrated through elaborate rituals combining 16 different fire sources. Only 9 exist in the world today.
- Atash Adaran (Fire of Fires): Second grade fire, maintained in major temples.
- Atash Dadgah (Fire of the Village): Third grade fire, found in smaller temples and homes.
- Atash-i Vahram: The sacred fire of warriors and kings.
- Atash-i Mihr: The fire associated with Mithra and used in covenant ceremonies.
Fire Temple (Atashgah)
Fire temples house the eternal flames, which must never be extinguished. Priests (mobeds) tend the fire five times daily, feeding it with fragrant woods while reciting prayers. The fire room is kept scrupulously clean, and worshippers cannot touch the fire directly - they approach it through prayer and offerings while maintaining ritual purity.
🌍 The Geography of Creation
Mount Hara (Hara Berezaiti)
The cosmic mountain at the center of the world, around which the sun, moon, and stars revolve. From its peak flows the heavenly waters (source of all earthly waters, governed by Anahita). The Chinvat Bridge extends from Mount Hara to the realm of the afterlife.
The Seven Keshvars (Regions)
The world is divided into seven regions (keshvars), with Khvaniratha (the central region where humans dwell) being the most important. The other six regions are inhabited by mythical beings and will become accessible after the final renovation.
The Sky as Metallic Sphere
The sky is conceived as a solid metal (stone-like) sphere surrounding the earth, with holes for stars. The sun, moon, and planets move through this sphere in predetermined paths. The stars are commanded by the yazatas and fight against evil influences.
📖 Key Cosmological Texts
- Bundahishn (Creation): Primary source for Zoroastrian cosmology, describing the creation in both spiritual and material forms
- Zatspram: Additional cosmological details and mythology
- Denkard: Encyclopedic work containing cosmological and theological commentary
- Selections of Zadspram: Myths of creation and early human history
Related Across the Mythos
Hindu Cosmology
Cyclic Creation