zoroastrian dining etiquette



food laws and beliefs

To be constantly alert against evil, excess (gluttony and deficiency) fasting is forbidden. Zoroastrianism has no food products that are forbidden and consuming alcohol, especially wine, is considered a duty.

vegetarianism

Eating meat is acceptable.

feasts and fasting

Fasting is forbidden as deficiency diminishes the ability to be constantly alert against evil.

In Zoroastrianism feasting is a vital part of the religion, especially celebrating birthdays with the family, initiations and weddings. It is important for the person whose birthday it is to wear new clothes, eat nice food, including home made sweets specially made for the auspicious occasion and drinking nice wine.

Every month in the Zoroastrian religious calendar is dedicated to a divinity and therefore a festival and therefore feasting.

The most important festival in the Zoroastrian year is the Iranian New Year known as Navroze or NoRuz, which is celebrated on the day of the Spring Equinox. On the day of Navroze / NoRuz, Zoroastrians wear new clothes, visit families and friends, visit the fire temple, then go home or to the community centre for the New Year feast, which consist of a thank giving prayer ceremony known as the Jashan, followed by eating, drinking, dancing and merriment.

Following Navroze, it is important for Zoroastrians to celebrate the six seasonal festivals, the autumnal equinox, summer and winter solstices.