Yalda Night Iran has a rich culture and Iranian used to celebrate their days and nights to thank God for their lives. They used to celebrate one day in month; for example Farvardinegan ceremony and Or

Ameneh

Yalda Night Iran has a rich culture and Iranian used to celebrate their days and nights to thank God for their lives. They used to celebrate one day in month; for example Farvardinegan ceremony and Ordibeheshtgan ceremony were held in Farvardin and Ordibehesht months, and so on the other days for the other months, (i.e. Farvardin and Ordibehesht are the first and second months in Iranian’s solar calendar). People also used to celebrate finishing harvest time and thanks God for crops. Although most of our ancient ceremonies died out during the time, some traditional ceremonies are still alive after thousands years: “Nowrouz”, “Chaharshanbe Souri”, “Shabe Yalda” and some others :-) “Shabe Yalda” or Yalda night is one of the most beautiful Iranians’ nights. People celebrate 21st December’s night as the longest night of the year. During the autumn, every night is becoming longer and longer until the 21st which is the peak and after that, night starts to shorten. On Yalda night, Iranians gather in their elder’s home, sit around and spend good time. Fried fish and rice with vegetables are served for dinner, nuts and Anar and watermelon are also eaten after dinner and Hafiz’s poetry is read. Everyone selects one page from Hafiz's poetry book by chance and then the selected page is read aloud. People believe that Hafiz advises them by this poem. For me, this night has another meaning over these. I was born in 22nd December, so “yalda night” is also my birthday night. Our relatives come to our home and we talk until the midnight. Although hosting makes me somehow tired, I like “Yalda night”. I can’t wait until this night! Happy Yalda to all :-)

Dec 16, 2011 7:38 AM

Corrections · 18

Oops!

I was born on 22nd December.

December 16, 2011

Yalda Night

Iran has a rich culture and Iranians used to celebrate their days and nights to thank God for their lives. They used to celebrate one day each month; for example Farvardinegan ceremony and Ordibeheshtgan ceremonies were held in Farvardin and Ordibehesht months, and so on for other days in other months, (i.e. Farvardin and Ordibehesht are the first and second months in Iranian’s solar calendar). People also used to celebrate finishing harvest time and thanks God for crops. Although most of our ancient ceremonies died out over time, some traditional ceremonies are still alive after thousands of years: “Nowrouz”, “Chaharshanbe Souri”, “Shabe Yalda” and some others :-)

“Shabe Yalda”, or Yalda night, is one of the most beautiful Iranian nights. People celebrate the night of 21st December as the longest night of the year. During the autumn, night's become longer and longer until the 21st, which is the peak, and after that, nights start to shorten. On Yalda night, Iranians gather in their elders' homes, sit around and enjoy a good time. Fried fish and rice with vegetables are served for dinner, nuts and Anar and watermelon are also eaten after dinner and Hafiz’s poetry is read. Everyone selects one page from Hafiz's poetry book at random and the selected page is read aloud. People believe that Hafiz advises them through this poem.

For me, this night has another meaning beyond this. I was born in 22nd December, so “Yalda Night” is also my birthday night. Our relatives come to our home and we talk until midnight. Although being the hostess is tiring, I like “Yalda night”. I can’t wait for this night!

Happy Yalda to all :-)