Sizdah Bedar (Persian: سیزدهبدر – sīzdah bedar),[1][2] (lit. 'Getting Rid of Thirteen') also known as Nature's Day (روز طبیعت – rūz-e tabī'at),[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.[1] It marks the end of the Nowruz holidays in Iran.[3]
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. It was an official ending to Nowruz and a beginning to the remaining twelve months of the year.
Zoroastrianism background
In ancient times, there was a name for each day of the month. For example, the first day of each month was called "Ormazd Rooz", and the thirteenth day of each month was called "Tir Rooz" and belonged to "Izad Tir" (the god of Tir). The word "Rooz" means "day" in Persian. The word "Tir" is called "Tishtariah" in the Avestan language. It is the same as the name of Tishter, the god of rain. So, we can say that Tir was a symbol of divine kindness among ancient Iranians because rain is symbolically equal to god's kindness and generosity in Persian culture. Nature Day is the ancient Persian tradition of celebrating the occasion of the god of rain's victory over the drought-inducing demon. Celebrating this day was customary even before the emergence of Asho Zoroastrianism (1800 BC).
As stated in the book From Nowruz to Nowruz by Mr. Kourosh Niknam (MP for Zoroastrianism), pp. 41 and 42, "the thirteenth day of Farvardin is called Tir or Teshtar." In Avesta, "Teshtar" is the god of rain. Before Asho Zoroaster, for the rain god to overcome the drought demon, people believed that they should worship this god on this particular day and ask for rain. In ancient Iran, after celebrating the 13th day of Nowruz, which was the beginning of an agricultural semi-year, Iranians went to their fields and farms or plains and deserts and the banks of rivers to worship. They would rejoice and dance and happily asked for rain.
Etymology
According to some Iranians’ belief the number thirteen is ominous. Sizdah Bedar, therefore, means "getting rid of the ominous of the day thirteen". Going on a picnic in the heart of nature and natural places is one way to do so. According to the Dehkhoda Dictionary, "dar" means "valley and plain" and "be" means "towards". Thus "Sizdah Bedar" means "towards the valley on the thirteenth day".
Sizdah Be-dar is celebrated on the thirteenth day[4] of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. It is celebrated by going outside to be in nature and spend the day outdoors.
A custom performed at the end of the picnic is to throw the sprouted greens (سبزه – Sabze) that were part of the traditional Haft-Seen Nowruz display into moving water. Touching someone else's greens on this day or bringing the plants back home is considered bad luck.
Knotting the greens
Knotting the stems of the greens (سبزه گره زدن – sabzeh gereh zadan) before tossing them into the water is a customary ritual for young single people, especially for young women. This indicates a wish to find a partner or a husband.
Lie of the Thirteen
Lie of the Thirteenth (دروغ سیزده – dorūgh-e sīzdah), which is similar to April Fools' Day, 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.[5][6][7]
Food of Sizdah Bedar
Sekanjabin and lettuce
Sekanjabin is a very old Iranian drink. The Persians make it with vinegar, honey, and sometimes mint. It is very popular in summer, but it is also an inseparable part of Sizdah Bedar. Iranians eat lettuce with Sekanjabin. This act is symbolically a promise to stay healthy during the New Year.[8]
Ash-e Doogh
Ash-e doogh, (Persian: آش دوغ), also known as "yogurt soup", originates from the Azeri region of northwest Iran and is one of the traditional soups of Ardabil.[9] It is a common dish found in many regions and cultures within West Asia, including Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.
See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sizdah Be-dar.
^. Sabzi. Archived from the original on March 20, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
Outdoor Moments of Sizdah Bedar: A Reference Article by M. Saadat Noury
External links
Sizdah-Bedar in Delft (Netherlands) on YouTube (Video)
Animation about Sizdah-Bedar on YouTube (Video)
March 06, 2023
sizdah, sizdah, bedar, persian, سیزده, بدر, sīzdah, bedar, getting, thirteen, also, known, nature, روز, طبیعت, rūz, tabī, citation, needed, iranian, festival, held, annually, thirteenth, farvardin, same, aries, first, month, iranian, calendar, during, which, p. Sizdah Bedar Persian سیزده بدر sizdah bedar 1 2 lit Getting Rid of Thirteen also known as Nature s Day روز طبیعت ruz e tabi at 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 1 It marks the end of the Nowruz holidays in Iran 3 Sizdah BedarIranians in the Netherlands celebrating Sizdah Bedar April 2011Observed by Iran Afghanistan citation needed CelebrationsPicnicking outdoorsDateApril 1 or April 2FrequencyannualRelated toNowruz Charshanbe Suri Contents 1 History 1 1 Zoroastrianism background 2 Etymology 3 Observances 3 1 Releasing sprouted greens back into nature 3 2 Knotting the greens 3 3 Lie of the Thirteen 4 Food of Sizdah Bedar 4 1 Sekanjabin and lettuce 4 2 Ash e Doogh 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksHistory EditGenerally 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 It was an official ending to Nowruz and a beginning to the remaining twelve months of the year Zoroastrianism background Edit In ancient times there was a name for each day of the month For example the first day of each month was called Ormazd Rooz and the thirteenth day of each month was called Tir Rooz and belonged to Izad Tir the god of Tir The word Rooz means day in Persian The word Tir is called Tishtariah in the Avestan language It is the same as the name of Tishter the god of rain So we can say that Tir was a symbol of divine kindness among ancient Iranians because rain is symbolically equal to god s kindness and generosity in Persian culture Nature Day is the ancient Persian tradition of celebrating the occasion of the god of rain s victory over the drought inducing demon Celebrating this day was customary even before the emergence of Asho Zoroastrianism 1800 BC As stated in the book From Nowruz to Nowruz by Mr Kourosh Niknam MP for Zoroastrianism pp 41 and 42 the thirteenth day of Farvardin is called Tir or Teshtar In Avesta Teshtar is the god of rain Before Asho Zoroaster for the rain god to overcome the drought demon people believed that they should worship this god on this particular day and ask for rain In ancient Iran after celebrating the 13th day of Nowruz which was the beginning of an agricultural semi year Iranians went to their fields and farms or plains and deserts and the banks of rivers to worship They would rejoice and dance and happily asked for rain Etymology EditAccording to some Iranians belief the number thirteen is ominous Sizdah Bedar therefore means getting rid of the ominous of the day thirteen Going on a picnic in the heart of nature and natural places is one way to do so According to the Dehkhoda Dictionary dar means valley and plain and be means towards Thus Sizdah Bedar means towards the valley on the thirteenth day Observances EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed March 2016 Learn how and when to remove this template message Sizdah Be dar is celebrated on the thirteenth day 4 of Nowruz the Iranian New Year It is celebrated by going outside to be in nature and spend the day outdoors Releasing sprouted greens back into nature Edit Greenery Sabze for Haft Seen Special lunch 13 Be dar A custom performed at the end of the picnic is to throw the sprouted greens سبزه Sabze that were part of the traditional Haft Seen Nowruz display into moving water Touching someone else s greens on this day or bringing the plants back home is considered bad luck Knotting the greens Edit Knotting the stems of the greens سبزه گره زدن sabzeh gereh zadan before tossing them into the water is a customary ritual for young single people especially for young women This indicates a wish to find a partner or a husband Lie of the Thirteen Edit Lie of the Thirteenth دروغ سیزده dorugh e sizdah which is similar to April Fools Day 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 5 6 7 Food of Sizdah Bedar EditSekanjabin and lettuce Edit Sekanjabin is a very old Iranian drink The Persians make it with vinegar honey and sometimes mint It is very popular in summer but it is also an inseparable part of Sizdah Bedar Iranians eat lettuce with Sekanjabin This act is symbolically a promise to stay healthy during the New Year 8 Ash e Doogh Edit Ash e doogh Persian آش دوغ also known as yogurt soup originates from the Azeri region of northwest Iran and is one of the traditional soups of Ardabil 9 It is a common dish found in many regions and cultures within West Asia including Iran Azerbaijan and Turkey See also Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sizdah Be dar Holidays portalNowruz Iranian festivals Public holidays picheReferences Edit a b Shahbazi A Shapur NOWRUZ ii In the Islamic Period Encyclopaedia Iranica Retrieved January 8 2012 Mosaheb Gholamhossein ed 2002 1966 سیزده بدر Sizde be dar The Persian Encyclopedia in Persian Vol 1 2nd ed Tehran Amirkabir p 1404 ISBN 964303044X Iranians mark Sizdah Bedar in nature mypersiankitchen April 2 2010 https theotheriran com 2016 04 03 photos sizdah bedar nature day in iran Sizdah Be dar literally thirteenth in outdoors is an Iranian festival and part of the Nowruz celebration rituals held annually on the thirteenth day of the first month of the Iranian calendar Farvardin April 1st Traditions from Around the World Taylor Mahaffey April 3 2014 April Fools Day in Iran April Fools Day 2016 how did the tradition originate and what are the best pranks Emily Allen and Juliet Eysenck March 17 2016 fa سکنجبین Ash e Mast Persian Yogurt Soup with Meatballs Sabzi Archived from the original on March 20 2016 Retrieved March 26 2016 Outdoor Moments of Sizdah Bedar A Reference Article by M Saadat NouryExternal links EditSizdah Bedar in Delft Netherlands on YouTube Video Animation about Sizdah Bedar on YouTube Video Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sizdah Be dar amp oldid 1121539980, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
