Zoroastrian News – اخبار زرتشتیان

... This ancient festival has been celebrated for thousands of years ever since the birth of the Zoroastrian religion in Persia. Persians celebrated the last 10 days of the year in the annual feast of souls, Hamaspathmaedaya, Farvardigan or popularly Forodigan). They believed Foruhars, the guardian angels for humans and the spirits of deceased would come back for a visit. ...

Noruz (new year, or more literally “new day”) is the most important celebration for Iranians. Perhaps the first step in preparing for Noruz or Now-Ruz, the Persian New Year, is Khaneh Tekani, the annual house cleaning or the spring-cleaning. In ancient times, Iranians believed that spirits of their deceased families and friends would come to visit their descendants and their homes. For this occasion, the hosts clean their homes. The word Khaneh or the slang Khooneh means house or home. The word Tekani means shaking. So the Iranians are literally shaking the house to clean it – much like you shake a rug to clean it. During the Khaneh Tekani, every room in the house is thoroughly cleaned. Iranian families gather to wash the rugs, carpets, and curtains. They polish silverware, pots and pans, and renew old items in the house. In addition, for Noruz, every member of the family renews their look by purchasing Noruz clothes to be worn on the day of Noruz. Families fill their homes with the sweet fragrance of flowers such as hyacinth and narcissus. The burning of wild rue, which is called esfand, is practiced to keep evil spirits away and provide a nice aroma in the house.

Chahar Shanbeh Suri – red wednesday Bonfire Festival

On the eve of the Wednesday before Noruz, the Iranians celebrate Chahar Shanbeh Suri. This is commonly known as the Wednesday Feast or the Festival of the last Wednesday as it is always celebrated on the eve of the last Wednesday of the year. The word Chahar Shanbeh means Wednesday and Suri is red.

The festivities start in the early evening. Children and fun seeking adults, wrap themselves in white sheets or costumes reenacting visits by the departed spirits. They run through the streets banging on pots and pans with spoons. This is called Gashog-Zani or spoon banging and ushers out the last unlucky Wednesday of the year. They also go to their neighbors, knock on doors and ask for treats, a tradition very similar to Halloween. The main event of Chahar-Shanbeh Suri is the setting of seven little fires consisting of dried bushes and shrubs, which are placed on the ground. Adults and children alike gather to jump over the flames to sing, and celebrate the renewal of life. While jumping the flames, the person chants ?Sorkhi-e to az man. Zardi-e man az to.? The literal transalation is, ?Your fiery red color is mine and my sickly yellow paleness is yours.? Loosely translated, this means you want the fire to take your paleness, sickness and problems and in turn give you redness, warmth and energy. There is no religious significance attached to Chahar Shanbeh Suri and it serves as a cultural festival for all Iranian Jews, Moslems, Armenians, Turks and Zoroastrians alike.

Iranians believe that wishes will come true on this night. Wishes are made and in order to make them come true, it is customary to prepare Noodles & Bean soup called Ash-e Chahar Shanbeh Suri and share with the poor. Friends and strangers alike are also served with nuts and dried fruits, the Ajil-e Chahar Shanbeh Suri. The Ajil has a mixture of seven dried nuts and fruits, pistachios, roasted chic peas, almond, hazelnuts, figs, apricots, and raisins.

To make wishes come true, people who have made wishes will stand at the corner of an intersection, or hide behind walls to listen to conversation of those passying by. If the conversations overheard are positive then the wish will come true. This tradition is called Fal Gush meaning ‘listening for one’s fortune’. Finally the Chahar Shanbeh Suri evening ends with fire works and family gatherings for a festive meal.

This ancient festival has been celebrated for thousands of years ever since the birth of the Zoroastrian religion in Persia. Persians celebrated the last 10 days of the year in the annual feast of souls, Hamaspathmaedaya, Farvardigan or popularly Forodigan). They believed Foruhars, the guardian angels for humans and the spirits of deceased would come back for a visit. These spirits were entertained as honored guests, and were given a ritual farewell at the dawn of the New Year. The bon fires also served as a welcome to these guests. Small clay figurines in shape of humans and animals symbolizing all departed relatives and animals were also placed on the rooftops. Flames were burnt all night to ensure the returning spirits were protected from the forces of Ahriman. This was called Suri festival. There were gatherings in joyful assemblies, with prayers, feasts and communal consumption of ritually blessed food. Rich and poor met together and the occasion was a time of general goodwill when quarrels were resolved and friendships renewed.

On the Thursday after Chahar Shanbeh Suri, Shab-e Jome is celerbated which is a traditional big feast of polo and chicken. Followling this ritual assures one that there will be a similar dinner at least once a week during the coming year.