Chaharshanbe Suri: A Traditional and Ancient Celebration

(Farsi Level: C1)

Chaharshanbe Suri is one of the most significant celebrations in Iranian culture, taking place before the Persian New Year. This lively festivity occurs the night before the last Wednesday of the year. People in various regions, including Iran, Iraqi Kurdistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, join this cheerful occasion. Chaharshanbe Suri, rich in history and culture, represents the vibrant transition from the cold, dark days of winter to the lively, bright arrival of spring. It also serves as a terrific opportunity to strengthen social ties. During this joyful celebration, neighbors and families unite to revel in the joy and festivities. Join FarsiMonde as we explore every fascinating aspect of this celebration.

The Origins of Chaharshanbe Suri in Ancient Iran

Chaharshanbe Suri is an ancient celebration that has remained since time immemorial. There is debate over whether Chaharshanbe Suri existed in its current form in ancient Iran or evolved into its present shape after the advent of Islam in Iran.

In ancient Iran, during the month of Farvardin (the first month of the Persian calendar), another celebration besides Farvardigan was held, known as Andargah or panje(h)-ye dozdideh (the Stolen Five). Andargah lasted from the 25th of Esfand (mid-March) for ten days. During this period, people visited fire temples and the tombs of their deceased loved ones to pray, wore new clothes, and lit fires on their rooftops, believing that the Faravahars descended to earth during these days. After the arrival of Islam in Iran, many of these ancient celebrations underwent slight changes. To keep their ancient traditions alive and ensure they receive the recognition they deserve, Iranians may have opted to celebrate this memorable and beautiful ceremony on the night before the last Wednesday of the year instead of continuing with the original ten-day festivities.

Traditions of Chaharshanbe Suri

As Chaharshanbe Suri approaches, people start their preparations several days ahead. On the night of the celebration, a combination of ceremonies take place.

Lighting Bushes (bute(h) afruzi)

One of the most prominent traditions of Chaharshanbe Suri is jumping over fire. Chaharshanbe Suri is a communal and collective celebration. On this night, neighbors in a community gather, light a small fire, and jump over it seven times while chanting verses like: My yellow is yours, your red is mine; sorrow go away, joy come in; hardship leave, sustenance arrive. By repeating this poem, people wish for their troubles to burn in the fire, hoping the warmth of the flames will bring energy and beauty to their lives. The only widely practiced tradition of Chaharshanbe Suri across Iran involves lighting bushes or starting fires.
Traditionally, after the fire had extinguished, people would gather the ashes from their homes and scatter them into flowing waters. Since they believed the remaining ashes were illnesses and troubles burned away.

Breaking Pottery (kuze(h) šekani)

Another well-known tradition of Chaharshanbe Suri is breaking pottery. People often toss old clay or glass pots from their rooftops, allowing them to crash to the ground. This symbolic gesture serves to shatter bad luck and dispel negative energy. It embodies the arrival of a new season and signifies the breaking of unhelpful cycles of life.

Spoon-Banging (qâšoq zani)

In the tradition of spoon-banging, people who had wishes or desires would pair up, take a spoon and a copper bowl, and visit their neighbors. As they knocked on doors, they would strike the spoon against the bowl to announce their arrival. Then, according to custom, the homeowners would place chocolates, nuts, sweets, rice, or money into their bowls. The tradition involved visiting seven different doors in one night. It was a prevailing conviction that gifts from the neighboring houses would bring their wishes to fruition. In contrast, leaving without any presents could indicate that dreams for the year were unlikely to materialize.

Shawl-Dropping (šâl andâzi)

Shawl-dropping during Chaharshanbe Suri has been a tradition primarily in the northwestern and western cities of Iran. In this custom, grooms would lower a shawl from rooftops into homes. The homeowner would place nuts, sweets, or dried fruits in the shawl and tie it up. While dropping the shawl, the groom would say: May your son become a groom! Please tuck something into the shawl for us! In various regions, such as Lorestan, unique poems, and verses would also be recited during this moment.

Eavesdropping (fâl guš)

Faal Goosh is another intriguing tradition of Chaharshanbe Suri, where people listen to random conversations of passersby and interpret what they hear to predict their future. On the night of Chaharshanbe Suri, many Iranians gather in streets and neighborhoods to play these fortune-telling games. When a person hears kind or cheerful words from a stranger, it is seen as a positive sign, suggesting that their dreams may soon come true. This belief leads many to avoid discussing their sadness or personal issues during this special occasion.

Sharing Chaharshanbe Suri Nuts

During Chaharshanbe Suri, families often indulge in special foods and snacks. In years gone by, a cherished tradition was to share nuts with friends and neighbors. Those who had vows or wishes would distribute a mix of seven different types of nuts among their loved ones, believing it would help bring their desires to fruition.

Abudarda Aush, the Chaharshanbe Suri Dish

On the night of Chaharshanbe Suri, in addition to serving nuts, families with sick loved ones would prepare a warming dish known as Abudarda Aush, hoping it would aid in their recovery. After making the Aush, they would share a portion with the patient and distribute the rest among neighbors and friends, all intended to express support and enhance the patient’s recovery.

House Cleaning

Cleaning homes is one of the key traditions of Chaharshanbe Suri. One of the most necessary tasks people undertake in preparation for the New Year celebration is thoroughly cleaning their homes, ideally completing it before Chaharshanbe Suri. One popular legend associated with this tradition is that of Chaharshanbe Khatoon, or Lady Wednesday, who is said to live in a well. On this special day, she rises to visit homes and enjoys meals in the cleanest ones. Whenever she dines in a home, it is believed that the household will enjoy a year filled with abundance and prosperity. Conversely, if she finds an unclean house, the family may face challenges in the year ahead.

This text provides an engaging introduction to Chaharshanbe Suri, one of the most cherished Iranian celebrations. However, as Iran has transitioned from traditional homes to modern high-rise buildings, many of these customs have faded or transformed. Nonetheless, Iranians continue to embrace this festive day with firelighting, dancing, and entertainment. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding Chaharshanbe Suri or other Iranian traditions, do not hesitate to reach out to our Persian instructors at FarsiMonde.