Chahar Shanbeh Suri

Chaharshanbeh Suri  (چهارشنبه سوری) is an ancient Iranian ceremony that celebrates the fire and people dance around the flames. The term Chahar shanbeh Suri means "The scarlet (red) Wednesday". And it has a very central and Important role in Persian culture. This ceremony although it has roots in Zoroastrian beliefs, is celebrated in Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Syria, Azerbaijan, and Turkey and is a chance to gather with your beloved to enjoy a very warm night by the fire.

The traditions

Jumping Over the Fire

On this night, people joyfully gather wood in a community outdoor space, coming together in anticipation of the festival. As the sun sets, they light bonfires and participate in a heartwarming tradition of jumping over the flames while singing a beautiful phrase "سرخی تو از من، زردی من از تو" that translates to "Let your redness be mine and my paleness yours." This act holds deep significance as a means of purification, symbolizing hope and renewal, by jumping over the fire Iranians cleanse themselves from the past year and get ready to start the new year!

Fortune Telling (Fāl)  

Another cherished tradition on Chaharshanbe Suri is the practice of fortune telling using a jug (fāl-e kūza, fāl-e bolūnī) that brings people together in anticipation. Everyone contributes an ornament they've been wearing, along with slips of paper containing messages of hope. A child is gently chosen to retrieve a slip and an ornament, and the gathered friends await the reading of the verses with eager hearts. For many, the poetry of Hafiz may serve as a source of wisdom, guiding them on their journey. In Isfahan, the inclusion of special items like a small mirror and collyrium adds an extra layer of good wishes.

Burning Rue (Esfand)  

On the eve of Chaharshanbe Suri, the act of burning rue seeds (esfand) or frankincense (kondor) is a heartfelt way to seek protection against negativity and ill will. As people add rue and salt to the flames, they recite local rhymes that express their hopes for safeguarding themselves and their loved ones from harm. This symbolic act of purification evokes a sense of solidarity and community bonding.