Like Nowruz, Yalda is a holiday, associated with manifestations of nature, and has nothing to do with islam. But the Iranians live in harmony with their history and culture., therefore, the lack of religious meanings does not prevent them from having fun. More details - in the material Federal News Agency.
Yalda night is the longest of the year. Since Iran uses a non-Islamic lunar calendar, and with their sunny (the notorious Omar Khayyam also participated in its development), The holiday is celebrated every year at the same time 21 by 22 December.
People spend time with their families waiting for the dawn - a new day, which the, in their opinion, should bring something bright and joyful. This day is of great importance for pastoralists.. After all, Yalda informs them of the onset of winter, which means you need to reorganize in a completely different working way.
history of the holiday
Once the ancient Iranians believed, that the god Mithra was born on the last night of autumn (that is the sun). In this way, the word “yalda”, which is not quite harmonious for the Russian ear, literally means “Christmas”.
With the advent of Islam, the sacred component of the holiday was eliminated., but the holiday itself remains. After all, everything is known, what is not forbidden by Allah, it is allowed. And Yalda calls for mercy and good efforts, which is in accordance with Sharia.
holiday rituals
In Shaba Yalda (full name of the day) Iranians are going, usually, in the house of older family members - grandparents - and treat each other with fresh fruit, nuts and sweets. A special place on the table is occupied by pomegranates and watermelons - symbols of the sun., abundance and health.
Among the favorite pastimes are reading Shahnameh and divination from the book of the famous Persian Sufi poet. Hafiza Shirazi. This is called "fal-e-hafiz": a person makes a wish and randomly opens the page. The answer for him will be a gazelle (this is the name of the Arabic and Persian poetic form, Hafiz became famous precisely for composing ghazals), located on the right. Interpreting the meaning of the poem is the task of the fortuneteller.
On the eve of the night of Yalda, it is customary for Iranians to especially support each other. This is especially true for the poor and the homeless.. Cartoons urge to delight those with treats, who does not have the opportunity to arrange a holiday on this day.
result
It's hard to imagine Persian literature, Music and painting by Shabe Yalda. But today the main meaning of this holiday is not at all in fortune-telling and not in greeting the dawn.. Not even at the beginning of winter. it, Firstly, great place to hang out with family, members of which on ordinary days are much more difficult to bring together. Many Iranians come to visit their parents from other cities and even from abroad..
Someone on the internet joked, that today Yalda is the only, what can fight social networks in Iran.
Author: Abbas Juma
