ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Gathas

Gathas are like special songs that have been sung by Zoroastrians for thousands of years. They are really important because they help people remember the teachings of their religion and remind them of how they should behave in life.

Imagine we have a favorite song that we like to sing - it makes us happy and helps us remember things. Gathas are like that, but instead of just being a fun song, they also remind us of important things like being honest, kind, and helpful.

The words of the gathas are written in a special language called Avestan, which is very old and not used by many people today. But even though the words are hard for some people to understand, the music and the meaning behind the songs are still really powerful.

When Zoroastrians gather together for worship, they often sing gathas together. It's like we might sing "Happy Birthday" together on someone's birthday - everyone knows the words and enjoys singing them together.

So, gathas are like special songs that help Zoroastrians remember important teachings and connect with each other in worship.