On the thirteenth day of Persian New Year which is the last phase of the New Year celebration, people leave home and go outside. They took their Sabzeh, which is lentil or wheat plant grown in a pot, to throw into the river symbolizing the cycle of life. But, why do they do on the thirteenth day of the New Year? Why does the Persian New Year last for thirteen days?In most parts of the world and especially in India, the number thirteen is disastrous. In apartments’ floors or airplane’s seats, number thirteen does not exist. Moreover, in Persia, people have the same feeling. They go on a picnic on the thirteenth day of the New Year to throw away all the bad lucks or bad thoughts into the nature and spend their time with laughter, joy and pleasant. This tradition is in practice since ancient times.The story behind the number is that the devil sends twelve demonic spirits to eat away twelve pillars of the world and on the thirteenth day when the pillars are about to collapse, he comes back to celebrate his victory. But, people with their joy, laughter and celebrations restore the pillars and defeat the devil. So, in this day, people go on a picnic to spread joy and bliss throughout the nature.The other tradition is that young girls and boys tie grasses or plants (above picture) so that they can marry during the year. Another custom is that people get together and eat a lot of lettuce with sweet syrup called “Sekanjehbin”.
Hi, Nafis. It's new information and it's really interesting. But sorry to ask, is the Persian New Year also on January? My interpretation of your writing is that there is special month for Persian New Years. Thank you.
Yes, absolutely. It really amazes me and Ruzan also told that their New Year's holidays last for 13 days too and they also believe the same thing as well. You are saying the same. It is wonderful, isn't it?
You are totally right. I hope I can explain it well in English.
What we do is not because we think number 13 is unfortunate. It is a symbol of bad actions and bad thoughts. But, how this number came? ancient people believe that 12 days of first month of spring is the symbol of 12 months of a year and then, according to the myth that I mentioned here, they thought on thirteenth day is the day they should throw away bad thoughts by doing something joyful. That is why the number 13 came. In fact, It is just a symbol and it does not mean that I believe it. Personally, I just wanted to know why number 13? why not 14 or 16?
That is all about it.
I totally agree with you too about what you said.
Dear Nafis,
Here's how I look at it...
Yes, it's been reverse but the negative concept of the no. 13 is still somewhere there... In my country, on New Year's eve we make our surroundings noisy, filled with laughter and happy music this symbolizes the welcoming of the new year and to others to cast away evil spirits for the whole year. Your belief is, you do the same practice on the 13th day but the idea, I think is just the same. Since, the no. 13 is linked to something negative the new years celebration in your culture is on the 13th day to cast away all the devils on that day and be replaced with happy thoughts.
I do not belive it at all and by writing the headlines"Joy and bliss come on thirteenth day", I wanted to say that we have pleasant time in this day and the bad luck of this number means that we should get rid of our bad thoughts.
Hello Nafis,
This is another interesting blog Nafis. But, I hope you are not so serious about the negative concept of the number 13. :-)
Thank you for sharing this interesting information about your country.
Have a good day!
Thanks a lot for reading it. Your information is interesting and awesome! Wow! In the past, people celebrated New Year on 13th of January?
It is interesting to know that in Persia, people believed that the New Year starts after thirteenth day. Wow!
Comments
Persian New Year is in the first day of spring which is on 21th of March. Thanks a lot for reading it and glad you liked it.
It's really amazing!
Thanks.
Yes, absolutely. It really amazes me and Ruzan also told that their New Year's holidays last for 13 days too and they also believe the same thing as well. You are saying the same. It is wonderful, isn't it?
All the best,
The practice is really somewhat similar. Only we do it on New Year's eve.
Thanks Nafis.
You are totally right. I hope I can explain it well in English.
What we do is not because we think number 13 is unfortunate. It is a symbol of bad actions and bad thoughts. But, how this number came? ancient people believe that 12 days of first month of spring is the symbol of 12 months of a year and then, according to the myth that I mentioned here, they thought on thirteenth day is the day they should throw away bad thoughts by doing something joyful. That is why the number 13 came. In fact, It is just a symbol and it does not mean that I believe it. Personally, I just wanted to know why number 13? why not 14 or 16?
That is all about it.
I totally agree with you too about what you said.
Thanks,
All the best
Here's how I look at it...
Yes, it's been reverse but the negative concept of the no. 13 is still somewhere there... In my country, on New Year's eve we make our surroundings noisy, filled with laughter and happy music this symbolizes the welcoming of the new year and to others to cast away evil spirits for the whole year. Your belief is, you do the same practice on the 13th day but the idea, I think is just the same. Since, the no. 13 is linked to something negative the new years celebration in your culture is on the 13th day to cast away all the devils on that day and be replaced with happy thoughts.
I do not belive it at all and by writing the headlines"Joy and bliss come on thirteenth day", I wanted to say that we have pleasant time in this day and the bad luck of this number means that we should get rid of our bad thoughts.
Thanks a lot Lynne,
Take care,
This is another interesting blog Nafis. But, I hope you are not so serious about the negative concept of the number 13. :-)
Thank you for sharing this interesting information about your country.
Have a good day!
Thanks a lot for reading it. Your information is interesting and awesome! Wow! In the past, people celebrated New Year on 13th of January?
It is interesting to know that in Persia, people believed that the New Year starts after thirteenth day. Wow!
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next