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The worship of fire, the highest type of which worship is seen in the adoration of the sun, not only as the most glorious visible object in the universe, but also as the source of flight and heat. In the early religion of India the sun appears in the form of the god Agni (L. ignis, fire), what was first regarded as a mere abstract influence or a phenomenon in time being regarded as a sentient individual. Thus in the Vedic hymns Agni is the god of fire, corresponding to the Greek Hephaestos. In the East the worship of the element of fire was practiced by the ancient Persians or Magians, and is continued by the modern Parsees. The establishment of this species of idolatry among the Persians is ascribed to Zoroaster, who taught his disciples that in the sun and in the sacred fires of their temples God more especially dwelt, and that therefore divine homage was to be paid to these.

n. The worship of fire which prevailed in Persia among the followers of Zoroaster, and among the Parsees of India.