The Zorastrian holy book is called the Avesta. This includes the original words of their founder Zarathushtra, preserved in a series of five hymns, called the Gathas. The latter represent the basic source of the religion. The Gathas are abstract sacred poetry, directed towards the worship of the One God, understanding of righteousness and cosmic order, promotion of social justice and individual choice between good and evil. The Gathas have a general and even universal vision.

Zoroastrian Beliefs:

A single god Ahura Mazda who is supreme. Communication between Himself and humans is by a number of Attributes, called Amesha Spentas or Bounteous Immortals. Within the Gathas, the original Zoroastrian sacred text, these Immortals are sometimes described as concepts, and are sometimes personified.

One school of thought promotes a cosmic dualism between:

An all powerful God Ahura Mazda who is the only deity worthy of being worshipped, and

An evil spirit of violence and death, Angra Mainyu, who opposes Ahura Mazda.The resulting cosmic conflict involves the entire universe, including humanity who is required to choose which to follow. Evil, and the Spirit of Evil, will be completely destroyed at the end of time. Dualism will come to an end and Goodness will be all in all.

Another school of thought perceives the battle between Good and Evil as an ethical dualism, set within the human consciousness.

Asha is a form of righteous, an all encompassing, natural law.

Legends, which are probably not those of Zarathushtra's original teachings are:

After death, a person's urvan (soul) is allowed three days to meditate on his/her past life. The soul is then judged by a troika consisting of Mithra, Sraosha and Rashnu. If the good thoughts, words and deeds outweigh the bad, then the soul is taken into Heaven. Otherwise, the soul is led to Hell.

The universe will go through a total of three eras:

Creation;

The present world where good and evil are mixed. People's good works are seen as gradually transforming the world towards its heavenly ideal;

A final state after this renovation when good and evil will be separated.Eventually, everything will be purified. Even the occupants of hell will be released. 

A Saoshyant (savior) will be born of a virgin, but of the lineage of the Prophet Zoroaster who will raise the dead and judge everyone in a final judgment. This is a theme that is seen in many world religions.

Sadda Mama

Among the Parsis the chameleon is regarded with reverence and is never killed. In fact it is affectionately called “Sadda Mama”. A mama is a mother’s brother (Gujarati) and at the time of the wedding rituals it is the mama who stands as witness from the bride’s side and gives her in marriage. So a mama is one who can be depended on and who protects a family. The legend of Sadda Mama goes back to the time in Iran when the Zoroastrian empire had collapsed. Yazdegard III had been defeated by the Arabs, in the battle of Nihavand in AD 641 and he and his army were in hiding as they scattered across the land. The poorer people who wanted to follow their religion were persecuted and forced to give up their faith. The few who refused were trying to escape the Arab army and make their way to safety. One day a group of tired Zoroastrians, refugees in their own land found that they had to cross a large dry desert. It seemed barren and empty and they hoped that they could cross it peacefully and move towards the sea coast. It was a long and tiring journey and the sun beat fiercely down on the group of people. Far away there seemed to be a well and they started moving towards it in the hope of cool fresh water. The Zoroastrians did not know that behind the well a group of Arab soldiers had laid an ambush for them. They were hiding in the sand behind the well with their weapons ready to kill the tired refugees. A small chameleon was watching all that was happening and was very anxious to prevent the massacre of the Zoroastrians. He wondered how he could help these poor people and tell them the Truth about what was happening. Suddenly he got an idea. In the desert everything is brown and dry, but the Arabs were wearing brightly coloured clothes. The little Sadda jumped on to the back of the first soldier and turned a bright blue. Far away in the desert the refugees saw a flash of colour and paused wondering what it could be. The chameleon jumped on to another man and turned a bright red. He then kept hopping from one soldier to the other as they lay in ambush and the colours sparkling across the brown desert alerted the Zoroastrians. They sent off a scout party by another route and soon the scouts returned with the information of the ambush. They also told them that a little chameleon was jumping from one soldier to another and trying to warn the Zoroastrians not to fall prey to the trap. The animal kept shaking his head from right to left trying to tell the refugees that it was not safe to proceed to the well. The Zoroastrians were grateful to the little animal helper and because of this warning prepared themselves and managed to defeat the ambush party. They thanked the chameleon, who nodded his head up and down telling them that they should heed the messages of the animals whenever they needed help and needed to know the Truth. Even till today Zoroastrians, especially children ask Sadda Mama whenever they are in doubt about any issue and want to know the Truth. They ask a question and if the Sadda Mama warns them by shaking his head from right to left, they change their plans accordingly. The Sadda is however believed to give his blessings and tell the Truth of good news by nodding his head up and down as if he is encouraging them to go ahead and act with the Power of Truth behind them.

1. The Faravahar’s face resembles the face of human being and therefore, indicates its connection to mankind.2. There are two wings in two sides of the picture, which have three main feathers. These main feathers indicate three symbols of good reflection, good words, and good deed, which are at the same time the motive of flight and advancement.3. The lower part of the Faravahar consists of three parts, representing bad reflection, bad words, and bad deed which causes misery and misfortune for human beings.4. There are two loops at the two sides of the Faravahar, which represent Sepanta Minu, and Ankareh Minu. The former is directed toward the face and the latter is located at the back. This also indicates that we have to proceed toward the good and turn away from bad.5. There is a circle in the middle of the Faravahar’s trunk. This symbol indicates that our spirit is immortal, having neither a beginning, nor an end.6. One hand of the Faravahar, points upwards, showing that we have to struggle to thrive.7. The other hand holds a ring. Some interpreters consider that as the ring of covenant, representing loyalty and faithfulness which is the basis of Zarathustra’s philosophy.