The Concept of  Ascension in the Zoroastrian Apocalyptic Literature

Apocalyptic Literature is the most important and the most widespread genre of religious literature. In these texts, mysterious revelations are revealed through visions or intuition to a chosen person. In many religious traditions the sky is abode of gods, and the earth is the home of creatures. As a result of this idea, it is believed that there is a gap between the “world of gods” and “world of creatures”. By separating these two worlds, man tries to find a way into the world of gods to become familiar with it before his death. This aspiration, in every tradition led to a series of beliefs and rituals, by which man seeks to share the realm of gods. In Zoroastrianism, like other ancient traditions, there are various examples of the ascension to the upper worlds; such as, the seven ascensions of Zoroaster and his meetings with Ahura-Mazda and Aməshaspəntas, the ascension of Goshtasp, the ascension of Kertir, the famous vizier of Sassanid dynasty, and the ascension of ArdaViraf. This article surveys these ascensions as well as the apocalyptic themes of Zoroastrianism.