Fravashi

Fravashi (Avestan: fravaṣ̌i; Persian: فروهر farohar) is a Zoroastrian term for a spiritual principle associated with each person, ancestor, or aspect of creation[1]. The exact etymology is debated; possibilities include connections to roots meaning to choose, to confess, or to recognize. The fravashis are central in Zoroastrian theology and ritual without precise parallels in other religions[2].

the term is complex and should not be forced into a one-word Western equivalent.

In Zoroastrian thought, every human has a fravashi: a pre-existent spiritual principle that participates in the cosmic struggle on the side of asha (truth, right order) and supports the soul (urvan) in its ethical work. The fravashi is sometimes described as a guardian, sometimes as a higher self, sometimes as the spiritual essence chosen by the person at the beginning of cosmic time.

Fravashis are not limited to humans. Major divine beings (the Amesha Spentas, certain other beings) have fravashis. Even Ahura Mazda has a fravashi in some accounts, though this is theologically delicate. The fravashis of righteous people who have lived ethical lives are particularly powerful and are invoked in Zoroastrian ritual.

The Farvardin Yasht is the great Avestan hymn to the fravashis. It celebrates their cosmic role in supporting creation, in maintaining the seasons and natural order, and in helping the living. Specific named fravashis of past heroes and sages are honored at length.

Ritual practice includes invocation of the fravashis at specific times. The Farvardin month (the first month of the Zoroastrian calendar, in spring) is dedicated to the fravashis. The Frawardigan festival at the end of the year honors the fravashis of the departed. Funerary practice involves attention to the fravashi alongside the soul.

The fravashi concept is theologically rich and somewhat resistant to single-term translation. Guardian angel captures part of the meaning but loses the cosmic and metaphysical dimensions. Spiritual essence is closer but still partial. Translation of the term often leaves it as fravashi in scholarly writing, recognizing the difficulty of finding an English equivalent.

Zoroastrian studies has worked carefully on the fravashi concept. Mary Boyce's three-volume A History of Zoroastrianism gives detailed attention to the term[2]. Jenny Rose[3], Almut Hintze, and others have continued the analysis. Comparative work has explored possible relationships between fravashis and angelological concepts in other religions.

• A History of Zoroastrianismby Mary Boyce
  book
• Zoroastrianism: An Introductionby Jenny Rose
  book