noun
fire worshipper
General term for a person who worships fire, often used in historical or religious contexts.
古代ペルシアには拝火教徒が多かった。
In ancient Persia, there were many fire worshippers.
noun
Zoroastrian; Parsee
Specifically refers to a follower of Zoroastrianism, a religion that includes fire as a symbol of purity.
拝火教徒は火を神聖なものとして崇拝する。
Zoroastrians worship fire as a sacred entity.
ゾロアスター教徒 is a more common and direct term for Zoroastrian, while 拝火教徒 is a descriptive term emphasizing fire worship.
Compound of 拝火 (fire worship) + 教徒 (follower of a religion). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is a straightforward kanji compound describing a fire-worshipping religious adherent.