Zurvan, Infinite Time, is the father of twin spirits Ahura Mazda and Ahriman in the Zurvanite tradition. Zurvan's faith produced Ahura Mazda, while his momentary doubt produced Ahriman.
⚠ Orthodox Zoroastrianism rejects Zurvanite parentage entirely, holding both Ahura Mazda and Ahriman as uncreated primal spirits. The Zurvanite heresy was a significant sectarian tradition in Sassanid Persia.
Atar, the divine fire, is called the son of Ahura Mazda in the Avesta. As a sacred emanation rather than a biological offspring, Atar embodies Ahura Mazda's presence in the material world.
Spenta Mainyu (Holy Spirit) is sometimes identified with Ahura Mazda himself and sometimes as a distinct emanation of his creative power. In the Gathas, Spenta Mainyu opposes Angra Mainyu as the twin spirits of good and evil.
Mithra serves alongside Ahura Mazda as co-guardian of asha (cosmic truth). In the Mehr Yasht, Ahura Mazda declares Mithra as worthy of worship as himself, overseeing covenants and the light of dawn.
Ahura Mazda established the Chinvat Bridge as the threshold of judgment where souls are weighed after death. Rashnu and Sraosha preside there under his authority.
Ahriman (Angra Mainyu) and Ahura Mazda are twin spirits locked in eternal cosmic opposition — the foundational dualism of Zoroastrianism. Ahriman corrupts every good creation of Ahura Mazda, and their struggle defines the moral order of the universe until the final renovation (Frashokereti).
The Huma bird serves as a symbol of divine fortune under Ahura Mazda's authority. In Persian tradition, the Huma bestows kingship and glory (khvarenah) granted by Ahura Mazda.
Ahura Mazda appointed Hvar Khshaita as the yazata of the sun, serving as the eye of cosmic truth illuminating the world under divine authority.
The Peri are benevolent spirits who serve Ahura Mazda in the cosmic struggle against evil. In Zoroastrian tradition, they are beautiful beings aligned with the forces of good who aid righteous mortals.
Rashnu serves Ahura Mazda as the yazata of justice, weighing the souls of the dead at the Chinvat Bridge. Rashnu's impartial judgment carries out Ahura Mazda's moral order.
Sraosha serves Ahura Mazda as the yazata of obedience, prayer, and divine worship. In the Avesta, Sraosha is the first to worship Ahura Mazda and guards the world at night against demons.
Ahura Mazda created Ameretat (Immortality) as an Amesha Spenta embodying deathlessness and the guardian of plants. Ameretat is paired with Haurvatat in Zoroastrian theology.
Ahura Mazda created Anahita as a yazata presiding over waters, fertility, and wisdom. In the Aban Yasht, she is invoked as a powerful divinity established by Ahura Mazda.
Ahura Mazda created Asha Vahishta (Best Truth) as an Amesha Spenta embodying cosmic truth, righteousness, and order. Asha Vahishta is the guardian of fire, Ahura Mazda's most sacred symbol.
Ahura Mazda created Gavaevodata, the Primordial Bull, as the first animal in his seven-stage creation. From the bull's body and seed, all beneficial animals and plants would later spring after Ahriman slew it (Bundahishn).
Ahura Mazda created Gayomard as the first human being in Zoroastrian cosmology. According to the Bundahishn, Gayomard was fashioned from earth and lived for thirty years before being slain by Ahriman.
Ahura Mazda created Haurvatat (Wholeness) as an Amesha Spenta embodying health, perfection, and the waters. Haurvatat and Ameretat are paired in the Avesta as complementary aspects of salvation.
Ahura Mazda created Khshathra Vairya (Desirable Dominion) as an Amesha Spenta embodying divine sovereignty and the protection of the righteous. Khshathra Vairya guards metals and the sky.
Mah, the yazata of the moon, serves under Ahura Mazda's cosmic order. In Zoroastrian cosmology, Ahura Mazda placed Mah in the sky to govern the passage of time and the monthly cycle.
Ahura Mazda created Mithra as a yazata to oversee covenants, light, and justice. In the Avesta (Yasht 10), Mithra is described as created by Ahura Mazda to be as worthy of worship as himself.
Ahura Mazda created Rashnu as the yazata of justice, appointed to weigh the deeds of the dead at the Chinvat Bridge with his golden scales.
Ahura Mazda created Spenta Armaiti (Holy Devotion) as an Amesha Spenta embodying piety, devotion, and the earth. She is the guardian of the earth in Zoroastrian cosmology.
Ahura Mazda created Sraosha as the yazata of obedience and prayer, the first being to chant the Gathas. In the Avesta, Sraosha guards the world at night against Aeshma and other demons.
Ahura Mazda created Tishtrya as the yazata of the star Sirius, champion of rain and fertility. In the Tir Yasht, Tishtrya battles the demon of drought Apaosha to release the cosmic waters.
Verethragna serves as the yazata of victory under Ahura Mazda's authority. In the Bahram Yasht, Ahura Mazda created Verethragna to champion the forces of good against evil.
Ahura Mazda created Vohu Manah (Good Mind) as the first of the Amesha Spentas, the divine emanation representing righteous thought. In the Gathas, Vohu Manah guides Zoroaster into Ahura Mazda's presence.
The Saoshyant is prophesied to lead the forces of good at the Frashokereti, the final renovation decreed by Ahura Mazda. He will resurrect the dead and bring about Ahura Mazda's ultimate triumph over evil.
Zoroaster received divine revelation directly from Ahura Mazda, who appeared to him in a vision and charged him with spreading the religion of truth. The Gathas record Zoroaster's hymns addressed to Ahura Mazda.
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