Chaharshanbe Soori Festival of Fire
Chaharshanbe Soori – Ancient Persian Festival of fire
Iran benefits profound annual festivals such as those related to Persian New Year. Iran holds and celebrates various events and festivals. Some of the rituals and festivals in Iran, however, consist of religious ceremonies and rites, and many others have more historic and ceremonial backgrounds which can be tracked into ancient era.
Iran Destination: chaharshanbe soori, Persian New Year
There are also many feasts and celebrations to pay homage to many deities and they are mostly farming festivals. The festivals in Iran vary greatly by region due to Iran’s multi-ethnic coverage. One of the most important and old festivals is Chahrshanbe Soori.
Festival of Fire
What is Chaharshanbe Soori
On the last Tuesday of March, the Festival of Fire takes place and sees bonfires sprouting up in various public areas, in alleys, in front of homes and sometimes parks. Chahar-Shanbeh means Wednesday and Suri means both ‘Red’ and ‘Celebration’.
Iran Destination: chaharshanbe soori, Persian New Year
In this “red celebration”, people go out and make bush fires and keep them burning till the next morning. This is symbolic of burning all that was bad, pain, sickness and worry and looking forward to a new beginning. People jump over the burning cinders and shout, “Oh, Chahrshanbe Soori Give me your red color (red face color is the symbol of healthiness) and take back sickly pallor,” which is a purification ritual.
Iran Destination: chaharshanbe soori, Persian New Year
Some believe their ancestors’ spirits visit during the last few days of the year. Chaharshanbeh Soori (Festival of Fire) in many ways is the equivalent of Halloween. Chaharshanbe Soori is the symbol of good health, cultivation, light, and purity to the Iranian.
However, it is believed that the ritual guarantees the dissipation of the misfortunes and evils, and of course, the materialization of people’s hopes and desires for the next year.
Interestingly, fire, not only in historic Persia, has long been held as sacred among Indians, Europeans and many other cultures. According to ancient Iranian beliefs, Azar (Fire) was the son of Ahura Mazda. Ancient Persians believed in the purity and purifying power of fire.
Festival of Fire
People would also put food, sweets, flowers and drinks on the roof of their houses and pray for their dead to appease them.
Iran Destination: chaharshanbe soori, Persian New Year Nowruz is celebrating in various Islamic and non-Islamic countries, especially Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Pakistan, India, Central Asia, Iraq, Turkestan, China, and the Slavic European countries and other parts of the world with its special rituals and customs.
Persian New Year Tour
Iran Destination offers a variety of Iran Tours to help you to experience Persian New Year. By contact to our experienced and skilled tour operators, we’d help you to visit the most amazing highlights of Iran. Don’t hesitate to contact us!
