Kushti is the sacred girdle worn by Zoroastrians

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of prophet Zoroaster and was formerly among the world's largest religions. It was probably founded some time before the 6th century BCE in Greater Iran.In Zoroastrianism, the Creator Ahura Mazda is all good, and no evil...

 around their waists. Along with the Sedreh

Sedreh

Sedreh is the Avestan term for the undergarment worn by Zoroastrians, which is worn alongside the Kushti.The Sudreh contains a small pocket in the front, which is supposed to collect one's good deeds. It is worn to protect the wearer from evil acts...

, the Kushti is part of the ritual dress of the Zoroastrians.

The Kushti is worn wound three times around the waist. It is tied twice in a double knot in the front and back, the ends of the Kushti hanging on the back. The Kushti is made of 72 fine, white and woollen threads, which represent the 72 chapters of the Yasna

Yasna

Yasna is the name of the primary liturgical collection of texts of the Avesta as well as the name of the principal Zoroastrian act of worship at which those verses are recited. The Yasna, or Izeshne, is primarily the name of the ceremony in which the entire book is recited and appropriate...

, the primary liturgical collection of texts of the Avesta

Avesta

The Avesta is the primary collection of sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, composed in the Avestan language.-Early transmission:The texts of the Avesta — which are all in the Avestan language — were composed over the course of several hundred years. The most important portion, the Gathas,...

.

The ritual of untying and tying the Kushti is performed several times a day and is called Nirang-i Kushti. During this ritual, the individual must remain standing in one spot, and may not speak to anyone. If the individual speaks, the ritual must be recommenced.

See also

• Yagyopavit
  Upanayana
  Upanayana is the initiation ritual by which initiates are invested with a sacred thread, to symbolize the transference of spiritual knowledge .- Significance of the sacred thread :...
  
  , the sacred thread of Vedic Hinduism
• Izze-kloth
  Izze-kloth
  The Izze-kloth or Medicine cord is a sacred cord worn by Apache medicine men that is believed to confer strength and special powers of healing to the wearer. The izze-kloth is usually made from strands of animal hide and its length punctuated with beads and shells...
  
  , the sacred cord of the Apache Native American tribe