Very little is known about the early days of Zarathustra. The little that we do know is mainly because of the legendary stories that have been passed down through the generations.

The birth place of Zarathustra is not also certain, but some historians believe that he  lived in one of the Khorasan cities, like Nishapour, Herat, or Balkh. Some legends place his birth in western Iran, perhaps near Tehran; others, which are somewhat more likely due to the eastern Iranian language of his poetry, place his birthplace in the east.

However this may be, one thing that is certain is that the prophet was a legendary figure; what the ancient sources tell about Zarathustra, can best be considered as legend.  

He was born in a large family named Spitama (meaning White). The head of one branch of this family, named Heechadaspa (Stallions), had two sons: Pourushaspa (Many Horses) and Arasti (Tidy & Neat). Pourushaspa had married a young woman named Dughdova (Milkmaid), It is said that when she was 5 months pregnant, she had a dream in which she saw the world was being destroyed, and she was very frightened. But then an angel came to her in her dream, and told her that she was bearing a great prophet who would be able to change the impending destruction.

Legend has it that on the 26^th of March; the pregnant Dughdova gave birth to a young and healthy baby boy. However, this was a peculiar baby, since unlike other babies, he did not cry. Instead, when this baby boy was born, he had a broad smile on his face, and his face was shining with a divine glow.

His parents decided to name him Zarathustra, (which according to one translation means Golden Light or Golden Star, and according to another means Owner of yellow or old Camels.)