Culture
Traditions
Territory
The Iranian Calendar
Iran counts time using three different calendars:
The first calendar is the Persian calendar, a solar calendar of Zoroastrian origin that consists of 365 days divided into 12 months of which the first 6 months are of 31 days, the following 5 of 30 and the last month of 28 days except when it is a leap year.
The second calendar is the lunar calendar which is the official one widely used in all Muslim countries: this calendar is used for the observance of religious festivals every year. Years are divided into twelve months but each year consists of only 354 days, therefore, the difference between the two calendars continues to grow (currently there is a difference of 40 years even if both started to be used in the year of the Hegira). Furthermore, Iran counts time differently to other Muslim countries as in Iran the moon is visible one day later than the other countries that follow this religion and so all festivals start one day later.
The third and last calendar in Iran is the Gregorian calendar, the same one that exists in the Western world. All three calendar dates appear in the Iranian press and in all publications.
Festivals are determined using the lunar calendar and therefore, change every year. Public holidays are designated according to the Persian solar calendar and are fixed dates compared to the Gregorian calendar. As in all Muslim countries, Friday is their weekly day of rest.
The most celebrated festivals are: Ramadan during which Muslims fast for one month; Eid Ftr which celebrates the end of Ramadan; Moharran which commemorates the anniversary of the third Imam, Hussein’s martyrdom; the 9th September is the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad; the 11th February is the victory of the Islamic Revolution; the 21st March is the celebration of Noruz, the first day of spring that has been the Iranian New year for more than 2500 years.
Usually, this celebration lasts two weeks for students and 5 days for public institutions; the festival lasts 13 days and on the last day there is the celebration of nature that marks the end of the Noruz celebrations. The 1st April is the day of the Islamic Republic and the 4th June is the Anniversary of the death of Imam Khomeini in 1989 and the festival of Shab-e-Yalda which is the longest night of the year (Winter solstice).
A brief description of the other traditional festivals in Iran follows:
Mehregan: Mehregan is celebrated on the 2nd October and is an ancient festival that dates back to the Zoroastrian period. Participants wear new clothes and send scented cards to loved ones and sing and play music. The festival originally was celebrated to thank nature for its gifts: in ancient times during this period fruit and vegetables were harvested. (A religious festival not only for Zoroastrians).
Shab-e-Yalda: is an ancient Iranian festival that dates back to the pre-Zoroastrian era (the first monotheistic religion in the world that introduced the concept of Judgement Day and was the State religion in Persia from 516 B.C. until the advent of Islam).
Shab-e-Yalda is the longest night of the year (winter solstice). On this occasion to interrupt the rigidity of winter and its long nights everyone eats fruit and vegetables conserved especially for this festival from the summer. In particular, red fruits are conserved, fruits like pomegranates, water melons, cherries etc. as bearers of cheerfulness and joy.
Poetry is read until dawn especially Hafez one of Iran’s most loved poets (all Iranian families have a copy of his works).
Another symbol of this festival is the cypress tree. With its perennial green colour it symbolises the arrival of spring and with its shape points to the sky and God (in the ancient bas-reliefs and in Persian poetry often the cypress tree is portrayed or described as it sways in the wind creating the “Botte design” also known as the Kashmir design). The cypress tree top is decorated with a sun to symbolise the break of day and the continuation of life.”
This continues to be one of the most heartfelt Iranian festivals.
Sadde: ancient festival from the Zoroastrian period that is celebrated on the 30th January (Pagan festival).
Festival of the Anniversary of the Islamic Republic of Iran: this festival lasts more than ten days with several events such as the Cinema Festival, theatre, culture, sports and art events, etc. culminating on the 10th February (Pagan festival).
Iranian New Year: the Iranian New Year has been celebrated since ancient times (since before 559 B.C.); also today the Iranian New Year (New Year= Noruz) is celebrated on the first day of nature, in other words, on the first day of spring (21st March) when nature reawakens.
Currently the celebrations last over 13 days and are heartfelt by Iranians.
On the last Wednesday of the year people clean their houses and gardens and in the evening celebrate by lighting a bonfire and jumping across fires as a sign of purification. People sing and ask for good health in the new year leaving behind and burning past problems; during the night people usually dress up in women’s clothes and knock at people’s doors asking for gifts (normally who knocks at the door knows the owner but not vice versa) etc.
On the day and at the exact time in which the year changes (the precise moment of the spring equinox) the whole family dressed for the occasion gather around the haftsin, a table that has seven items all beginning with ‘sin’ that since ancient times have symbolised good auspice: a bowl with a goldfish, a colourful and vital fish that moves all the time and therefore, symbolizes happiness, whereas the water symbolises clearness, two eggs, symbolising fertility, decorated with two famous characters from the classic Iranian Theatre: one is a wealthy man and the other a black slave that mocks his master (a master is not always wiser than his servant), senjed (drupe) which is not such an important fruit but symbolises that there is always a place for everyone. A few weeks before the New Year lentil sprouts are planted symbolising richness, lit candles symbolise enlightenment, coins for prosperity, a mirror symbolising sincerity, bread symbolising gifts and an apple representing the forbidden fruit eaten by Adam and Eve etc. (Pagan festival).
Fetr festival: the last day of Ramadan (month during which Muslims from dawn until sunset fast: Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, making love and all life’s pleasures in order to strengthen one’s character and learn how to say no; at sunset people gather together and enjoy life’s gifts. It is important to offer food to those who have fasted and those on the streets. However, not everyone has to observe fasting: those travelling, pregnant or breast feeding women and those who are ill do not have to fast…). The Fetr festival is very important and is celebrated by greeting those who have observed fasting and by offering gifts to those in need. (Religious festival).
Ghorban Festival: this festival is celebrated one month after celebrating the moment in which each and every practising Muslim must go at least once in their lives to Mecca (compulsory only for those who have a good standard of living): those who return from Mecca celebrate by offering food to relatives and neighbours. (Religious Festival)
Mabas festival: this festival celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad. (Religious festival)
Eid al-Ghadeer Festival: this festival commemorates the moment in which Muhammad declared (Imam) Ali as his successor (the greatest sin is fear. The greatest fun is work. The greatest misfortune is disappointment. The greatest courage is experience. The greatest mystery is death. The greatest honour is faith. The greatest treasure is to have loving children. The greatest gift is forgiveness. The greatest wealth is to have faith in oneself). (Religious Festival).
Ashura/Tasua festival: a two-day ceremony to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the third Shiite prophet. People dress in dark clothes and carry nakhl on their shoulders, and those who have made vows during the year offer food, drinks and gifts to all. A heartfelt ceremony and interesting to see (Religious festival).
Most festivals of the religious minorities (Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians) are respected.
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