All the information you need to know about Chaharshanbe Suri

Like other ancient peoples, Iranians have their own traditions and customs. The "Chaharshanbe Suri," also known as the final Wednesday of the year in some locations, is one of our new year rituals, which should incorporate elements from various different traditions.

I should bring up two things for you in this paragraph. First, Iranians commemorate the new solar year, which starts on the first day of spring, as well as Chaharhanbe, which is Persian meaning Wednesday.

I believe you now understand why some people refer to Cahahrshanbe Suri as the last Wednesday of the year.

But why do we observe the final Wednesday of the year as a holiday? What is so unique about this day? To learn more, stick with us.

The Iranian calendar's Chaharshanbe Suri

Let's begin with the Iranian calendar, then. Each year had 12 months and each month had 30 days in Iran's old calendar.

With this in mind, the year was essentially 360 days long, which is only 5 days and a few hours shorter than a full solar year.

Cleaning their homes, which we refer to as "Khane Tekani," people at this time are getting ready to ring in the New Year or Nowruz.

The history of ancient Iran is replete with festivals, all of which were based on the ancients' conception of existence and their philosophy.

Today, Chaharshanbe Suri is one of the few holidays that have persisted in Iran. It plays a significant role in the country's tourism industry, drawing a large number of visitors each year.

In Iranian tradition, fire is a representation of cleanliness, renewal, productivity, life, happiness, and, ultimately, the most obvious manifestation of God on earth.

In Persian language culture, Chaharshanbe Suri is sometimes referred to as the start of New Year's Eve.

Before the New Year and Nowruz arrived, it was also well known throughout history, and it continues to hold a significant place in the hearts of Iranian ethnic groups and citizens.

Chaharshanbe Suri history

We are unable to locate any books, historical records, or references concerning Chaharshanbeh Suri. Only recently—more specifically, within the last 50 years—have a large number of articles about Chaharshnbe Suri or literature relating to them been written.

The Chaharshnabe Suri tradition is not entirely related to the Zoroastrians because they believed that jumping from the top of fire is bad, mischievous, and unfriendly.

The fact that this holiday dates back to Iran's ancient past and was mentioned in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh (read more about him in this article: Ferdowsi's Tomb; the Iranian Poet), Chaharshnabe, is obviously not noteworthy.

the Chaharshnbe Suri customs

On the final Wednesday of each year, Chaharshanbe Suri is observed in all Iranian cities and villages. People build fires outside, in front of houses, in a suitable location, on the night of the last Wednesday of the year (i.e., close to sunset on Tuesday).

Everyone, young and old, men and women, jumps from the top of the flames while chanting, "Zardi-e Man Az To, Sorkhi-e To Az man," letting go of all their woes and troubles from the previous year so they can begin the new one in happiness and comfort.

So let's return to the unique Persian phrase I mentioned earlier.

mentioned. what does it mean?

This statement describes a ritual cleansing ceremony, and Chaharshnbe Suri refers to it by using the word "Suri," which also means "red" or "Sorkh" in Farsi.

In other words, people are pleading with the fire to take away all of their yellowing (Zard in Farsi), illnesses, and issues in exchange for redness, warmth, and strength.

As people utilized old pottery from the roof of the that was filled with water and a few coins, they rolled out old pottery from the buildings such as bowls, plates, and jars.

Fortune-telling, "Falgush," burning Expand, and consuming nuts that they believe will solve their issues (in this tradition, young girls make a wish, then they listen to observe the people on the street and listen to their conversations, then infer their intentions from what they say.)

"Ghashoq Zani" is another of the traditions and practices from Chaharshanbe Suri that haven't been entirely forgotten. Usually women cover themselves and knock on doors with a spoon or key; the owner of the house offers them sweets, fruits, or money.

the Day Arrives

As the day draws to a close, noises and sounds of celebration gradually intensify. In the city, there are fires and a flurry of excitement. The night's pitch-black sky shines brightly.

It occasionally changes to red, green, or yellow thanks to the lights, allowing people to share in the joy of this celebration.

This daring celebration includes more than just fireworks. Following the fireworks, the streets are deserted, and people go home to get ready for the second part of the celebration—getting together—which takes place later.

As with any tradition, this celebration has its own customs and traditions, which we will go over below.

Setting Fire to Something and Leaping Over It

The most beautiful and traditional Chaharshanbe Suri ritual involves burning fire. And even after many years, it remains the focal point of this celebration.

People light fires in their yards, alleyways, or other open areas, then jump over them. It is typical for there to be three or seven fire compartments.

When jumping over them, individuals read the following sentence aloud:

Sorkhi-ye man az to, Zardi-ye man az to This expression literally means "Your redness from me, my yellowness from you."

But in more detail, it means that I embrace the health and wellness that fire brings with it while casting all diseases and illnesses into the flames.

There is a long-standing custom that was once included in the Fire Ceremony. But in today's society, it is unacceptable.

The ashes from the Chaharshanbe Suri fire were once thought to be evil. So they threw the ashes against a wall outside the house.

And the person who threw the ashes at the door would knock. Then a voice from within would ask.

The Fireworks

This celebration is a little different now than it used to be. And some changes have been made.

Nowadays, it involves more than just starting a fire and jumping over it. The crackles and firecrackers alter the atmosphere in the streets. Nevertheless, they can also be inconvenient at times.

Chaharshanbe Suri has changed shape due to various Squibs and firecrackers. And the way it is held now is different from before. All around you, there are vibrant fires and sparking waterfalls.

Bruising the Ceramics

Pottery-breaking is one among those neglected customs of this old festivity. They build a fire and jump over it before pouring salt into a pottery pot to ward off evil eyes. A coin to ward off poverty and some charcoal to wash misery away are added.

The family then rotates the pottery once around each member's head. The final person then throws the pottery into the alley from the house's roof. He or she also says, "I dump the house's suffering and misery in the alley," at the same time. And in doing so, they shield their home from the bad vibes, suffering, and poverty.

Some tribes have a slightly different version of this tradition. Some of them break broken pottery in every home on the final Wednesday night of the year, telling it to leave and never return. All of your bad fortune should follow you.

Overhearing

Overhearing is another lost Chaharshanbe Suri ritual. On this particular night, those who have a wish gather at a crossroads and purposefully observe the people moving by.

They listen carefully to the words of the first person to pass by them and interpret what he says as either a good or bad sign depending on their intentions. He considers his wish to be granted if what the bystander is saying accords with it.

Some people choose to wait behind a closed door rather than walk the streets. And interpret the first word they hear from the space as a sign, either good or bad.

Qashoqzani

The Persian word for spoon is qashoq. Additionally, Qashoqzani refers to spoon taping. Girls and boys who want their wishes to come true typically perform this ritual.

They stand at the door of seven houses at once while holding a spoon and tapping a metal bowl.

Knowing that these individuals are in need, homeowners wills some nuts or cash and coins into their bowls. A person's wish won't come true, according to tradition, if they are unable to obtain anything from the homeowner.

Delicious Food on Chaharshanbe Suri

There is more to Chaharshanbe Suri than holiday music and fireworks. A fun aspect of this celebration also includes the special foods. Here are a few instances:

Suri Nuts from Chaharshanbe

One of the great aspects of Chaharshanbe Suri is the preparation and consumption of salty and sweet nuts. Along with the salted nuts, dried peach and apricot, green and black raisins, pistachios, almonds, unroasted hazelnuts, noql, candy, and walnut kernels, these nuts are also included in the main ingredients.

Eating nuts makes the atmosphere much more pleasant when families gather together and converse warmly.

In the past, women would purchase Chaharshanbe Suri nuts and give them to their families or other people in order to fulfill their dreams. They told some old tales while cleaning the nuts.

Eating these nuts on Chaharshanbe Suri night was thought to bring luck and fortune. At the end of the night, they also followed tradition and shared the nuts among the family members. to prevent them from being wasted.

Ash for the Sick

When a family member was ill or weak in the past, it was typical for them to prepare the dish Ashe Bimar (Ash for the Sick). They would then provide it to their customers. And they provide the leftovers to other patients or those in need.

It was some sort of freebie intended to promote the wellbeing of their own patient.

However, there is no trace of this tradition now, despite the fact that ash is a favorite cuisine in every city. And depending on where they are from, various individuals prepare it for different occasions.

Chaharshanbe Suri Dish

On this night, the women in the family prepare delicious food in addition to celebrating and rejoicing. And everyone enjoys it. Iranian tables are still adorned with the same dishes that were prepared centuries ago.

Fish and Sabzi-polo is one of the most well-known Chaharshanbe Suri night dinners (cooked rice with some veggies). Another food associated with this event is dolmeh, which is quite delicious and consists of some delectable items wrapped in vine leaves.

Seven-color pilaf is gleaming on the table in the interim. It consists of rice topped with cherry jam, dates, raisins, barberries, carrots, almond flakes, and pistachio slices.

Shanameh Chaharshanbe Suri

There are mentions of a party the night before the final Wednesday of the year in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh (977–1010 CE). This demonstrates how old this ritual is. Siavash is one of the most oppressed characters in this priceless book because he resisted his stepmother's seductive love and temptation and remained pure.

The story of the whole devotion reached his dad Kikavous. Siavash then instructed him to light seven tunnels on fire as evidence of his innocence. They agreed that Siavash's innocence would be assured if he managed to survive the fire tunnels.

Siavash successfully completed this test on the final Tuesday of the year. Then, on Wednesday, his father commanded him to celebrate in the center of the city's main square. Something that has come to us today as Chaharshanbe Suri has roots in this event.

conclusion

Are there customs like this in your city?

Do you recall any instances of Iranian Syrian Wednesday?

If so, how did it go?

We appreciate your company as we visit one of Iran's ancient cultures. Hope you had fun with it. If so, you should visit Iran to take advantage of it.

If you want to spend a special evening in Iran on Wednesday, you can visit the https://cafeerent.com/tourism website, rent a car, and travel to various locations to take part in the festivities.