Editing Zoroastrianism (section)

== Nature of the divine ==
Zoroastrianism contains multiple classes of divine beings, who are typically organised into tiers and spheres of influence.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

=== Ahuras ===
{{Main|Ahura}}

The [[Ahura]] are a class of divine beings {{qi|inherited by Zoroastrianism from the prehistoric Indo-Iranian religion. In the ''Rig Veda'', ''asura'' denotes the "older gods", such as the "Father Asura", [[Varuna]], and [[Mithraism|Mitra]], who originally ruled over the primeval undifferentiated Chaos.}}<ref name="AHURA"/>

==== Ahura Mazda ====
{{Main|Ahuramazda}}
[[Ahura Mazda]], also known as Oromasdes, Ohrmazd, Ormazd, Ormusd, Hoormazd, Harzoo, Hormazd, Hormaz and Hurmz, is the [[creator deity]] and the supreme god in Zoroastrianism. [[Ahura Mazda]] stands for the dual deity ''Mitrāˊ-Váruṇā'' of the [[Hindu]] holy book known as the [[Rigveda]].<ref name="AHURA" />

According to scholars, Ahura Mazda is an uncreated, omniscient, omnipotent and benevolent God who has created the spiritual and material existences out of infinite light, and maintains the cosmic law of Asha. He is the first and most invoked spirit in [[Yasna]], and is unrivaled, has no equals and presides over all creation.<ref name="Boyce-1983">{{citation|last=Boyce|first=Mary|title=Ahura Mazdā|encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica|location=New York|publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul|year=1983|volume=1|pages=684–687|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ahura-mazda|access-date=13 July 2019|archive-date=17 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517005441/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ahura-mazda|url-status=live}}</ref> In Avesta, Ahura Mazda is the only true God, and the representation of goodness, light, and truth. He is in conflict with the evil spirit Angra Mainyu, the representation of evil, darkness, and deceit. Angru Mainyu's goal is to tempt humans away from Ahura Mazda. Notably, Angra Mainyu is not a creation of Ahura Mazda but an independent entity.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ahura-mazda |title=Ahura Mazdā |access-date=16 July 2024 |archive-date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716061526/https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ahura-mazda |url-status=live}}</ref> The belief in Ahura Mazda, the "Lord of Wisdom" who is considered an all-encompassing Deity and the only existing one, is the foundation of Zoroastrianism.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.academia.edu/27409859 |title=(PDF) Zoroastrianism and the Bible: Monotheism by Coincidence? &#124; Erhard Gerstenberger - Academia.edu |doi=10.1111/J.1749-8171.2011.00266.X |access-date=17 March 2024 |archive-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317080555/https://www.academia.edu/27409859/Zoroastrianism_and_the_Bible_Monotheism_by_Coincidence |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Ahura Mithra ====
{{Main|Mithraism}}

[[Mitra]], also called [[Mithraism|Mithra]], was originally an Indo-Iranian god of {{qi|covenant, agreement, treaty, alliance, promise.}} Mitra is considered a being worthy of worship and is "characterized by riches".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foundation |first=Encyclopaedia Iranica |title=Mithra i – Encyclopaedia Iranica |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/mithra-i |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=iranicaonline.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Yazata ===
{{Main|Yazatas}}
The [[Yazata]] (Avestan: 𐬫𐬀𐬰𐬀𐬙𐬀) are divine beings worshiped by song and sacrifice in Zoroastrianism, in accordance with the [[Avesta]]. The word '[[Yazatas|Yazata']] is derived from 'Yazdan', the Old Persian word for 'god',<ref name="Büchner 1934">{{harvnb|Büchner|1934|p=1161}}.</ref> and literally means "divinity worthy of worship or veneration". As a concept, it also contains a wide range of other meanings; though generally signifying (or used as an epithet of) a divinity.<ref>{{harvnb|Boyce|2001|p=xxi}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Geiger|1885|p=xlix}}.</ref>

The origins of [[Yazata]] are varied, with many also being featured as gods in [[List of Hindu deities|Hinduism]], or other [[Iran]]ian religions. In modern Zoroastrianism, the Yazata are considered holy emanations of the creator, always devoted to him and obey the will of [[Ahura Mazda]]. While subject to repression by the [[Islamic Caliphate]], the [[Yazata]] were often framed as "[[angel]]s" to counter accusation of [[Shirk (Islam)|polytheism]] (''shirk'').{{sfn|Boyce|2001|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=a6gbxVfjtUEC&pg=PA157 157]}} According to the [[Avesta]] The [[Yazata]] assist [[Ahura Mazda]] in his battle against the evil spirit, and are hypostases of moral or physical aspects of creation. The yazatas collectively are {{qi|the good powers under Ahura Mazda}}, who is {{qi|the greatest of the yazatas}}.<ref name="Büchner 1934" />

==== Notable Yazata ====
* [[Ahura Mazda]]
* [[Mitra]] or [[Mithra]]
* [[Anahita]] – formerly an Iranian water goddess
* Ātar (Fire)
* [[Rashnu]], one of the three judges who pass judgment on the souls of people after death
* [[Sraosha]] or Srōsh
* [[Verethragna]] – who may be the Vedic god [[Indra]]

==== Amesha Spentas ====
Yazatas are further divided into Amesha Spentas, their "ham-kar" or "Collaborators" who are Lower Ranking divinities,<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |url=https://www.academia.edu/26226687 |title=The Amesha spentas and their helpers: The Zoroastrian ham-kars |access-date=17 March 2024 |archive-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317095624/https://www.academia.edu/26226687/The_Amesha_spentas_and_their_helpers_the_Zoroastrian_ham_kars |url-status=live |last1=Raffaelli |first1=Enrico G. }}</ref> and also certain healing plants, primordial creatures, the fravashis of the dead, and certain prayers that are themselves considered holy.

The Amesha Spentas and their "ham-kar" or "collaborator" Yazatas are as follows:
* [[Vohu Manah]] + Mah / Geush Urvan / Ram
* [[Asha Vahishta]] + Atar / Sraosha / Verethraghna
* [[Kshatra Vairya]] + Khwar / Mithra / Asman / Anaghran
* [[Spenta Armaiti]] + Ap / Daena / Ashi / Manthra Spenta
* [[Haurvatat]] + Tishtriya / Fravashi / Vata
* [[Ameretat]] + Rashnu / Arshtat / Zamyad<ref name="auto1"/>