Behafaridism Faith ID

Overview of Zurvanism

Zurvanism is an extinct branch of Zoroastrianism, believed to have emerged during the Sassanian dynasty of Persia, around the 3rd to 7th centuries CE. The distinguishing point of Zurvanism from traditional Zoroastrianism stems from its interpretation of the divine cosmology.

Main Beliefs of Zurvanism

In Zurvanism, the god Zurvan is considered the main deity. Zurvan, a Zoroastrian divinity of time and infinite space, is pictured as a neutral and transcendent god who creates both the benevolent god, Ahura Mazda, and the malevolent god, Angra Mainyu, who represent the dualistic principles of good and evil respectively.

This introduces a form of monism into the traditionally dualistic theology of Zoroastrianism. Instead of two distinct primal forces, Zurvanites believed in a single source from which the dualistic forces emerge.

Controversy and Extinction

Zurvanism is often considered heretical within Zoroastrian theology due to the fundamental changes it brings to the original belief system. Traditional Zoroastrianism posits that Ahura Mazda is the supreme creator god, while Zurvanism challenges this notion and positions Zurvan atop the divine hierarchy.

The practice of Zurvanism amongst some sections of the Sassanid elite led to tension and confusion, as it was often at odds with the accredited orthodoxy. Gaining and losing royal patronage over the course of the empire's history, Zurvanism eventually disappeared after the Muslim conquest of Persia and the subsequent decline of Zoroastrianism in Iran.

Legacy of Zurvanism

Although Zurvanism fell into oblivion, its influences can still be seen in some aspects of Persian culture and history. Zurvan, as a representation of infinite time and space, reflects the human desire to comprehend the infinite and the eternal. This philosophical idea of a prime mover or a source from which dualism emerges has found resonance in various other philosophical and religious discourses.

To sum up, Zurvanism is an intriguing chapter in the history of Zoroastrianism and religious philosophy. Although it was short-lived and often criticized for its divergence from orthodoxy, it provides valuable insights into the diverse and dynamic religious thought that prevailed in ancient Persia.