Details You Need to Know to Plan Your Trip
Chaharshanbe Suri, the festival of fire is held by Iranian people on the eve of the last Wednesday before the Nowruz festival (the Iranian New Year and the first day of spring) in different parts of Iran. To welcome the new year, Iranians light up a bonfire to have happiness and enlightenment throughout the coming year.
- Kind: Traditional Iranian festival
- Location: All over Iran
- Dates: Always held on the eve of the last Wednesday of the (Shamsi) year before Nowruz
History of the Festival Through Ancient Stories
Chaharshanbe Suri’s history goes back a long time. Most historians believe it originated from the festival of Hamaspathmaedaya, which was held on the last five days of the year in honor of the dead souls. The bonfires were lit up to welcome the spirit of the dead. They thought that flames, as a sign of God, could protect the departed souls from evil. That’s why people celebrate Chaharshanbe Suri
The name of the festival, Chaharshanbe Soori, consists of Chaharshanbe (meaning Wednesday) and Soori (which means festivity or redness).
After many years, this festival mixed with other religions and cultures, and it changed to its present form. In big cities, it is turned into unsafe fireworks. You might hear the sound of little explosions from here and there in big cities like Tehran. Youngers prefer to mix the Chaharshanbe Suri festival with the thrill of fireworks. So, they celebrate Chaharshanbe Suri the festival of fire by lighting firecrackers. But many people still keep their traditions alive and organize the ChaharshanbeSoori celebration that stays loyal to their traditional rituals.
The Celebration of Fire and Community
From € 140
The Celebration of Fire and Community
From € 140
Intrested in Chaharshanbe Suri Festival
Visit our Nowruz tour package
But why do Persians jump over the fire?
Our ancestors believed that fire is a sign of pureness, and it clears darkness. They lit up fires in Chaharshanbe Suri the festival of fire to get weakness away from themselves and bring the strength and pureness of the fire in the coming Nowruz (Iranian New Year).
Culture and Ambience of This Festival
Getting ready for Chaharshanbe Suri, the festival of fire starts before sunset. Young men and women on the evening breeze, begin to gather wood. While youngsters are out, elders of the family prepare special soup for Chaharshanbe Soori(Ash). Ash is a favorite food in Iran Iranian mothers are the best at cooking it. Everyone thinks his/her mother cooks the best Ash.
After a while, they come back with the brushwoods, as they are excited for the coming night. They make seven bonfires in the yard, some of them are larger, and some of them are smaller for the kids. The sun is going down. The bonfires are ready for lighting up. The smell of Ash is filling the air. It seems everything is ready for an unforgettable fire-jumping celebration.
The pleasure of fire on a crisp night is indescribable. Some jump over seven bonfires while singing a song and wish to take the warmth and strength of the fire and give their weaknesses to the fire. Jumping over bonfires is an exciting play for kids who love to do the same as their parents. Elder’s eyes are shining as they see their children enjoying this night together. Mother has made special snacks for Chaharshanbe Suri the festival of fire. Now it’s the turn of the kids’ favorite tradition: spoon banging. It’s like trick-or-treating on Halloween. Kids (and sometimes adults!) cover themselves, go door to door, and hit the spoon against a plate or bowl to receive candy or dried nuts.
Stories from our Participants of the Festival
Leila
I remembered it from my childhood. When the cities were not as busy as now. We gathered together a lot, and one of these assemblies was forChaharshanbe Suri the festival of fire. I can remember my relatives came from everywhere to our house to celebrate Chaharshanbe Sooritogether, and only this night, were my cousins and I allowed to light up our bonfires.
A few days ahead, my mom was preparing food and snacks for that night. Tuesday afternoon, when our relatives arrived group by group, she gave the other kids and me Ajil (dried nuts) and we went out to play. There was a competition between the kids, and everyone who gathered more brushwood was the winner. I cannot forget how excited I was about making everything ready for the celebration.
When the sun went down, my dad lit up the bonfires in the street, and my cousins and I jumped over the fires while we were singing a traditional song. Even now, I can hear our sound! Everyone was singing around the fire happily, and we, the kids, took our spoons and plates to go for spoon banging. We went door by door to ask our neighbors and friends for candy or Ajil. I can remember my cousin couldn’t keep his Ajil and he ate all of it on the way.
Sina
It was near spring, so the trees blossomed. I can hear the gentle tweet of a bird. The young men of the village were gathering wood to set up a massive fire. Before the sunset, they gathered a large amount of wood on the highest hill of the village. As the men were lighting up the fire, a cold breeze was wafting us. The view from the top of the hill was indescribable. Green plains were like a large green velvet. Moreover, many young girls and women with colorful dresses were so astonishing.
Suddenly, I heard the large fire roaring. The fire’s roar was lost in the sound of the joyful traditional horn. The girls and boys were dancing traditionally around the fire. I’ve never seen such a colorful and happy scene in my life.
After that, they went one by one to the large fire to light up their torches, and then each torch became a bonfire. They jumped over the fire hand in hand as they sang a song and wished for a blessed new year.
After dancing and jumping, all the people started to throw their clay pots off the roofs. The pots were shattering to bits in a strange harmony. Throwing things off a roof together feels great! However, all traditions have a reason behind them. Historically Iranians threw away their old clay pots because they were not washable and after some time, they needed to get rid of them. Therefore, they found a fun way to do it during a celebration.
It was near spring, so the trees blossomed. I can hear the gentle tweet of a bird. The young men of the village were gathering wood to set up a massive fire. Before the sunset, they gathered a large amount of wood on the highest hill of the village. As the men were lighting up the fire, a cold breeze was wafting us. The view from the top of the hill was indescribable. Green plains were like a large green velvet. Moreover, many young girls and women with colorful dresses were so astonishing.
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What Makes This Festival Special and Unique?
- Getting in touch with traditional Iranian festivals by participating in this gathering.
- Singing and dancing around the fire together.
- Tasting delicious Persian foods and especially Chaharshanbe Soorifoods.
- The opportunity to communicate with local communities in a traditional ceremonial family gathering on fire jumping celebration.
The Celebration of Fire and Community
From € 140
The Celebration of Fire and Community
From € 140
Intrested in Chaharshanbe Suri Festival
Visit our Nowruz tour package
Why Do We Care?
Keeping traditional Iranian festivals alive
Introducing Chaharshanbe Suri the festival of fire to the world and attracting foreign travelers to this festival
Creating a Unique Experience for Travelers
Experiencing an immersive journey through interacting with locals and experiencing the joy of having a night full of laughter and song with local assemblies.
Changing Iran’s Global Image
Promoting Iran’s attractive festivals and places so the worldwide audiences get to know that Iran is different from the mainstream media portrayal of this country.
Why Take a Tour?
- Location: Although Chaharshanbe Suri is celebrated in public, celebrating this ceremony among a family can give you the opportunity of getting in touch with locals more. For being in an Iranian family house, you need an invitation. In IranAmaze Iran travel Agency we prepare it for you beforehand. Moreover, this traditional celebration has changed over time and even some new celebrations aren’t safe. But we know celebrations have kept their traditional form.
- Guide: A local guide can improve travelers’ experience. He/she knows the local culture, language, and history. Furthermore, she/he helps you to experience this night like a local. The guide can find you places in which Chaharshanbe Suri is celebrated traditionally. Moreover, the guide can define the reasons and meanings of different parts of the ceremony.
- Etiquette: Chaharshanbe Suri the festival of fire is a family celebration. So, Iran tours travelers need to learn the dress code, the traditions, and the culture of the Iranian people. Some traditions came to Iranians from their ancestors, so they respect these traditions. As an Iran responsible traveler, it’s better to learn the traditions to participate in the festival in the most respectful way for the local community. We will have conversations and discussions about Iranian etiquette beforehand.
The Celebration of Fire and Community
From € 140
The Celebration of Fire and Community
From € 140
Intrested in Chaharshanbe Suri Festival
Visit our Nowruz tour package
