Reported by: Faezeh Azizi
The correspondent of Aldiplomasy in Tehran
Generally, among Iranian festivals, “Sizdah Bedar” is a bit vague in terms of historical roots. There is no direct mention of such a celebration in history books prior to Qajar era.
But in ancient sources, such as Shahnameh, there is a reference to “the thirteenth day of Farvardin”. The popular belief is that ancient Iranians celebrated the 13th day of Nowruz after twelve days of celebrating, each day represents a month of the year.
* Releasing sprouting greens back into nature!
A ritual performed at the end of the picnic is to throw away the greenery (Sabze) collected for Haft-Seen, the customary setting of Nowruz in Iran. Touching someone else’s greenery on this day or bringing it back home is considered a bad omen.
* Knotting the greenery!
Knotting the greenery Sabzeh gereh zadan) is customary for young single people, especially young girls. They tie the leaves of the greenery before discarding it, expressing a wish to find a partner or a husband.
* Lie of the Thirteen!
Lie of the Thirteen (Dorugh-e Sizdah) is the Iranian version of the prank-playing April Fools’ Day which is observed on the first or second day of April in Iran, on the day of Sizdah Bedar. Pranks have reportedly been played on this holiday since 536 BC in the Achaemenid Empire.
*About!
Sizdah Bedar (Persian: سیزدهبدر – sīzdah bedar), (lit. ‘Getting Rid of Thirteen’) also known as Nature’s Day (روز طبیعت – rūz-e tab’īat),[citation needed] is an Iranian festival held annually on the thirteenth day of Farvardin (same as Aries), the first month of the Iranian calendar, during which people spend time picnicking outdoors. It marks the end of the Nowruz holidays in Iran.
