Zorastrian symbols found in Khorezm

Zoroastrianism has had a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Khorezm. The survival of the religion can be credited, in part, to the Khorezm King Vishtaspa who welcomed the fleeing Prophet Zoroaster and after conversion became a vital patron of the faith. The Prophet Zoroaster's writings in the Avesta, the canon of Zoroastrian scripture, have also been crucial for the preservation of Khorezm's history. and are the only remaining historical accounts of life, culture and language in Khorezm during that period.
Not much is known about the Prophet Zoroaster and scholars disagree in their estimations of his birth, ranging between one thousand and two thousand years BC. He was born in Eastern Persia and as a young man began to receive visions from Ahura Mazda, 'The Lord Wisdom'. Mazda became the principle Deity within Zoroastrianism and during Zoroaster's lifetime the religion remained monotheistic. According to Zoroaster's theology, the Lord Mazda was revealed through Spenta Mainyu the Creative Spirit of truth, who's dualistic opposition was Angra Mainyu the Evil Spirit of untruth.. Angra Mainyu was evil by choice and had chosen to follow lies rather than truth. Each person must, according to Zoroaster, similarly make a choice between truth and deceit and their soul will be judged at the Bridge of Discrimination, either crossing over into paradise or being thrown off into the abyss of hell.
Zoroaster saw a few converts from amongst family and friends, but also experienced strong opposition and eventually fled to the Kingdom of Khorezm. Here, King Vishtaspa became his first royal convert and patron and Zoroastrianism rapidly gained a large following. Zoroatrianism began to spread and became popular in Persia, eventually becoming the principle religion of many Persian kings and rulers.
As the religion evolved, it became more syncretistic including the worship of other minor deities and the worship of the four elements, fire, water, air and earth. By the time the Sassanid Persian Empire was established in the second century, Zoroastrianism had become their official religion and was still the predominant religion of Khorezm. The religion continued to flourish until the seventh century and the arrival of Islam.
The Arab invasion of Khorezm led to a conscious attempt, not only to impose Islam, but to destroy all traces of Zoroastrianism. Al Beruni, a historian from Khorezm, wrote about the persecution of Zoroastrians, the burning of their scriptures, the executing of their priests and the destruction of their temples.
However, beneath the veneer of Islam, many Zoroastrian traditions were still upheld and were absorbed. Even during the Khiva Khanate, a millenium after the initial conversion of the populace to Islam, Arminius Vambery, the Hungarian traveler disguised as a Dervish, noted the Khivan's propensity to follow Zoroastrians which had come to be called the Parsee religion, Parsee meaning Persian.

"Khiva is less instructed in the doctrine of Islamism than Bukhara, a circumstance that has much influence in producing the following result: the retention by the Khivan Uzbek not only of many of the national usages of heathenism, but also of the religious observances of the Parsees."
Arminius Vambery - Travels in Central Asia - 1864

Zoroastrian butterfly tiles

Today, although there is less Zoroastrian influence than there was when Vambery visited Khiva, there are still traces of it. The green butterfly tiles that decorate many of Khiva's Madrassahs are Zoroastrian in origin. Zoroastrian elements are also prevalent in local customs. In a house where someone has died, the lights are left on for three nights as part of the Zoroastrian custom to purify the house with fire. Brides are also expected to light lamps in their houses while waiting for the groom to collect them. Traditionally brides were also expected to jump through fire as part of their purification for marriage. Today a fire is lit on the road and the bridal car drives over it en route to the wedding celebration. The Zoroastrian propensity for Zodiac consultation over potential wedding partners is also still in practice today and can make or break a potential match. Not so long ago conceptions were also planned to take full advantage of Zodiac blessing.
Today Zoroastrianism as an ideological tool is being dusted off by the government in the hope that it will become a potential alternative to Islam, particularly Islam of the radical variety.
Islam has long been viewed by the Soviets and their successors as a potential threat that unites the people of Turkestan beyond Soviet drawn national boundaries and ethnic differences. As a result Zoroastrianism is being resuscitated and the populace of Khorezm instructed in the religion of their ancestors.
Much is being made of the fact that the Avesta mentions Khorezm in the Psalm to Mithra and a lavish new 'Avesta Park' has been opened in Urgench, the modern day capital of Khorezm. However, whether Zoroastrianism will ever develop a religious following, much less become the predominant religion within Khorezm remains to be seen. Until such time there are only isolated pockets of Zoroastrian communities in Iran, Pakistan and India.