Zoroastrianism today is monotheistic, acknowledging only a single divine being. However, many people today are familiar with stories – often from world history or comparative religion classes – that portray Zoroastrianism as a dualism featuring two opposing deities. Ahura Mazda, sometimes called Ohrmazd, is portrayed as the deity of goodness and creation, while Angra Mainyu, also called Ahriman, is the deity of evil and destruction.
The proper name for this belief is Zurvanism, which evolved out of Zoroastrianism. In the third century BCE it was widespread enough to even have official support, and it lasted all the way into the tenth century CE. However, in the intervening centuries, Zurvanism influenced a variety of writings, including those reaching Western Europe. These became the West’s first views of Persian religion and profoundly shaped the West’s understanding of Zoroastrianism.
Today, Zurvanite dualism is considered a heresy to Zoroastrians. Besides the twin deities of good and evil. Zurvanism also taught the existence of Zurvan, the deification of time and the creator of Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu. This is completely contrary to modern Zoroastrian understanding, which holds that there is only a single deity, Ahura Mazda, who is all things and subordinate to nothing. Zoroastrians do, however, acknowledge opposing twin spirits Spenta Mainyu and Angra Mainyu, but they are emanations of Ahura Mazda rather than deities or independent entities.
