Persian Sacred Zoroastrian-Inspired Dance رقص عرفانی by Silk Road Dance Company

Choreography Copyright 2008 Laurel Victoria Gray
Performed by Silk Road Dance Company at 2013 Intersections Festival in Washington DC. Bringing Light on the Longest Night, Zoroastrianism is an ancient spiritual tradition based on the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster; it honors Ahura Mazda as the supreme divine authority. It was once the dominant religion of old Persia, as well as parts of Central Asia and the Caucasus like Tajikistan and present-day Azerbaijan. By actively participating in life through ''good thoughts, good words, and good deeds,'' humans could foster happiness and fend off the negative forces of chaos. In Zoroastrian cosmogony, fire is an agent of ritual purity and a medium through which spiritual insight and wisdom is gained.