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Zoroastrianism has since its inception recognized total spiritual equality between women and men.[1] The spiritual founder of Zoroastrianism, the eponymous Zoroaster, explicitly addressed both men and women, and affirmed that individuals of either gender could be righteous and could achieve salvation,[1] an apparent innovation compared to the preceding polytheistic Iranian faiths.[1][2] Because Zoroastrianism historically developed and flourished in male-dominated societies, the extent to which its original egalitarian ideals have been expressed in religious practice and doctrine has varied.
There is evidence that women could occupy priestly roles in early Zoroastrianism,[1][2][3] though the priesthood has for most of history been exclusive to men, who have thus historically dominated religious doctrine and decision-making.[4] Although not distinguished from men in a spiritual sense, Zoroastrian texts written after the oldest parts of the sacred Avesta (such as the Vendidad) introduced additional teachings and restrictions in regard to women in particular, particularly concerning ritual purity.[3] In the medieval period, Zoroastrian theology and religious practice became increasingly male-oriented and conservative, to the detriment of women,[2][4][5] probably reflecting changing social attitudes of the time.[4] The degree to which teachings and regulations for women that postdate Zoroaster himself have been accepted and given weight by later Zoroastrians is variable.
- ^ a b c d Jong, Albert de (2018). "Jeh the Primal Whore?: Observations on Zoroastrian Misogyny". Female Stereotypes in Religious Traditions. BRILL. pp. 23–25. ISBN 978-90-04-37888-9.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
:6was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Goldman, Leon (2000). "WOMEN ii. In the Avesta". Encyclopaedia Iranica Online. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ a b c Saadi-nejad, Manya (2021). Anahita: A History and Reception of the Iranian Water Goddess. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 134–136. ISBN 978-1-83860-156-0.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:6222was invoked but never defined (see the help page).