Fire Worship

was introduced into Persia by Phœʹdima, widow of Smerdis, and wife of Gushtasp darawesh, usually called Hystaspes (B.C. 521–485). It is not the sun that is worshipped, but God, who is supposed to reside in it; at the same time they reverence the sun, not as a deity but as the throne of deity. (See Parsees.)