Kusti
/ˈkʊs.ti/noun
A sacred cord worn around the waist by Zoroastrians as part of ritual observance.
Did you know?Zoroastrians traditionally untie and retie the kusti while reciting prayers, turning the cord itself into a repeated ritual act of spiritual recommitment.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Iranian period
Avestan
aiwyāŋhana
“A sacred girdle or cord associated with Zoroastrian religious practice.”
Middle Persian
Middle Persian
kustīg
“A ritual girdle or sacred cord.”
Medieval Persian
Persian
kustī
“A girdle or cord; the term continued in Iranian religious vocabulary.”
Medieval Gujarati
Gujarati
kustī
“The sacred cord worn by Zoroastrian communities in India.”
Modern English
English
kusti
“The sacred cord worn around the waist by Zoroastrians.”
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