zarathustrianism

Etymology

From Zarathustra + -ian + -ism, coined by Hermann Lommel and advanced by Ilya Gershevitch in the Hegelian dialectic view of Zoroastrianism in terms of thesis, antithesis, synthesis. In this construct, 'Zarathustrianism' is the thesis, 'Zarathustricism' is the antithesis, and 'Zoroastrianism' the synthesis.

Why this word is great

ZARATHUSTRIANISM — [Noun] The original doctrines of Zoroaster, distinct from later developments in Zoroastrianism. From Zarathustra (Avestan name of Zoroaster) + -ian (pertaining to) + -ism (system or doctrine), coined by Hermann Lommel and popularized by Ilya Gershevitch. Unlike "Zoroastrianism" (which encompasses centuries of ritual accretion and theological evolution) or "Zarathustricism" (which Gershevitch framed as a reactive departure from the prophet’s core vision), Zarathustrianism is the stark, unadorned call to ethical dualism—light against dark, truth against lie. It is the crackling purity of an undying flame in a windless chamber, the weight of a single unbroken covenant etched in fire, the prophet’s voice still audible beneath the murmur of centuries. What remains, when all else is stripped away, is the demand to choose.

noun

Zoroaster's own doctrines as distinguished from later accretions (Zarathustricism, Zoroastrianism).