This old ‘holy man’ is an ascetic hermit, who, having left human beings, lives alone amongst the animals and birds of the forest. He sings and praises God, and has a ‘holy hut’. He is the first person who Zarathustra meets after beginning his descent from the mountains.

The holy man embodies traditional religious devotion. Having once loved humanity deeply, he retreated when this love became overwhelming, now directing his devotion solely toward God. He views mankind as too imperfect for his love and has chosen divine worship over human connection, reflecting a traditional religious response of withdrawal from worldly engagement. His experiences have left him pessimistic about human nature, believing people mistrust solitaries and their offerings.