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祆 is a phono-semantic compound combining the semantic radical 礻 (示, relating to altars, spirits, or religious ceremonies) with the phonetic component 天 (sky, heaven). It was coined for the supreme deity of Zoroastrianism, a Persian religion introduced to China, and later came to denote the religion itself, Zoroastrianism or Mazdaism. The use of 天 reflects the worship of a heavenly entity, setting it apart from native practices linked to the altar radical. The character is rare outside historical and religious texts on this faith.
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