Nature Day, or Sizdah Be-dar in Persian, is a public holiday in Iran that falls on April 2 in normal years and April 1 in leap years. It is on April 2 this year. It is generally referred to as a day for Iranians to relax and have fun in their individual choices of open spaces. It is celebrated in Iranian culture on the 13th day of "Farvardin," which is the first month of the Iranian calendar. This day marks the end of the "Nowruz" celebrations. Picnicking is the most popular activity all over the country; adults and children alike are enthusiastic, and day-of preparations begin well in advance.
NATURE DAY'S HISTORY Iran's Nature Day dates back to Zoroastrianism. In ancient Iran, "Sidaz Be-dar" was celebrated approximately 4,000 years ago to worship "Teshtar," the god of rain, in the hope that the prayers offered that day would cause the god to defeat the demon of drought and bring rain. The day has lost its religious roots over the centuries and is now more commonly celebrated as a cultural holiday than a religious one.
"Getting rid of the number 13" is all that is meant by "Sizdah Be-dar." The number 13 is feared as an unsettling number in Iran, as it is in many other cultures around the world. This fear is known scientifically as triskaidekaphobia. On the 13th day of the "Nowruz" celebrations, Iranians believe that by going on picnics in parks and the countryside, they will get rid of all their bad luck and start the year on a positive note. It is generally believed that the task in question is accomplished by the day's final activity. Observers release green plant shoots grown prior to the "Nowruz" celebrations on flowing water bodies, typically rivers or streams, at the conclusion of the picnics.
A variation of the western "April Fool" known as the "Lie of the Thirteenth" is observed on the day and typically involves playing pranks on others, in addition to releasing green plant shoots on rivers. Singing, dancing, chatting, playing games, and for young singles, tying knots in the grass in the hope that doing so would bring them spouses are other fun activities that mark the day. This practice also has strong ties to an Iranian religious myth. Iranian food sources like 'Sekanjabin' (a beverage produced using vinegar and honey) and 'Debris e Doogh' (yogurt syrup) are for the most part devoured on this day.
NATURE DAY TIMELINE The earliest celebration of the holiday known as "Sizdah Be-dar" took place 4,000 years ago, according to Iranian mythology and Zoroastrianism.
Before the rise of Asho Zoroastrianism, nature day was celebrated as "Tir" or "Teshtar" in ancient Iran in the year 1800 B.C.
Pranks performed on Nature Day in the Achaemenid Empire began in 536 B.C.
Texts from the Iranian Qajar dynasty shed light on the nature day celebration's historical records from the 1800s.
FAQs for NATURE DAY: How many days are in "Nowruz?"
The celebrations of "Nowruz" last for two weeks and come to an end on Nature Day.
Who honors "Nowruz?"
In Turkey, Iraq, and Syria, Iranians and a few Kurdish tribes celebrate Nowruz in large numbers. In spite of the fact that it isn't generally perceived, 'Nowruz' is likewise celebrated by Afghanis, Indians, Pakistanis, and Azerbaijanis.
Is "Nowruz" a holiday of religion?
Nowruz is regarded as a secular or cultural holiday rather than a religious holiday, according to recent reports. However, some of its activities are heavily influenced by Iranian mythology and religion.
NATURE DAY ACTIVITIES Make those special treats for the Nature Day celebration. A good dose of "Sekanjabin" is almost never enough. Prepare accordingly or acquire some.
Arrange a picnic because this is exactly what makes the day deserving of celebration. Do whatever you want to do on a picnic with your family. However, don't forget to let those sprouts go into the river.
Prepare for the coming year Since Nature Day marks the end of the "Nowruz" celebration, don't just rely on luck. Get ready for the magnificent excess pieces of the year.
A Few Interesting Facts About the Persian Calendar A Perfect Calendar The Persian calendar is considered to be infinitely more accurate than the Gregorian calendar.
The first six months on the calendar have 31 days, and the last six months have 30 days, with the exception of the last month, "Esfand," which can have 29 or 30 days in leap years.
Compares with the seasons
Partitioning the a year into gatherings of three is impeccably coordinated with isolating the four seasons into a year, i.e., seasons fall in no less than 90 days each.
Corresponds perfectly with the zodiac signs Its month perfectly coincides with the zodiac signs, which means that a zodiac sign falls within a single, complete month.
Unlike other nations, where school resumption dates vary, in Iran, all schools resume on the same day on the first day of the month of "Mehr."
Why We Love Nature Day Every nation cares about its culture and wants to show it at every opportunity. Iranians can share and celebrate their ancient Persian culture on Nature Day.
It promotes goodwill According to Iranian beliefs, celebrations of the holiday bring good fortune and ward off evil. We adore it because it brings joy.
It's fun On Nature Day, a lot of fun outdoor activities are done, which makes people happy and lifts their spirits. We adore this!
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