History of Angels of Zoroastrianism

Do we all really have our own guardian angels. Many people believe so and for centuries Zoroastrianism, the religion that evolved based on the words of the prophet Zoroaster, has had a strong following. It has followings in areas including Central Asia and various areas in the middle of the world map, such as India and Iran. The way angels are viewed in Zoroastrianism differs from the way they are viewed in Christianity, and this difference is one of the many interesting things about this religion.

Zoroastrianism teaches that each person has his or her own guardian angel, known as a fravashi. The purpose of one's guardian angel is to usher that person's soul into the physical realm in order to work for the good of the world. When a person dies, his or her fravashi will reclaim their soul on the fourth day after their death and collect their experiences from the physical world. Another important asepct of the fravashi is that they are the conduit for God's energy to the world, thereby allowing for communication between God and the world.

One unique aspect of the view of angels in Zoroastrianism is the Amesha Spenta, which comprises six angels, each of whom represents one of the six parts of the world and its creations. These angels are supposed to be the basis for everything in the physical world. The six angels of the Amesha Spenta are Vohu Manu (Benevolent Mind), who represents animal life, Vohu Kshatra (Authority and Power), who represents all minerals including metals, Asha Vahishta (Righteousness), who represents luminaries in the world such as fire, Haurvatat (Perfection), who represents water, Armaiti (Wisdom), who represents the earth, and Ameratat (Immortality), who represents all forms of natural life including plants.

There are also angels who are subordinate to the Amasha Spenta, known as Yazata. These angels also represent various aspects of the physical world, and some, like Dae-pa-Adar and Dae-pa-Din, are representative of human welfare. Others, like Rashne and Ghosh, represent justice and animal welfare respectively.

There are some Yazata who are not directly subordinate to the Amesha Spenta, and instead act in the capacity of muses, assisting the Amesha Spenta and their subordinate Yazata. The Yazata Barzo and Hom, for example, are the Yazata of inspiration and creativity, and health and long living respectively. Some Yazata even have dark aspects, such as Ahriman the deceiver.

Zoroastrianism encompasses many different types of angels, all of whom are responsible for the well-being of people and for the representation of the various creations of God in the physical world. The way in which followers of Zoroastrianism view angels is at the same time unique and inspiring.