Yalda , Iranian longest night

[mistymorning]

Millions of Iranians all over the world Friday night will celebrate `Yalda', the longest night of the year and the first night of winter as a token of victory of the angel of goodness over the devil of badness.
`Yalda' is a Syriac word meaning birth and according to Mithraism, a faith that initially originated from Persia and later spread out throughout the ancient civilized world, the first day of winter which falls on December 21 this year, was celebrated as the birthday of Mithra, the angel of light.
Ancient Iranians believed that two groups of angels -- good and bad -- were in constant fight on the earth with each other and that on the dawn of the first day of the month of `Dey', beginning December 21, and with the victory of the rising sun as the symbol of 'Ahuramazda', the Zoroastrian god, over the evil of darkness the fight would come to an end.
People had developed the idea that the longest night of the year, when the evil of darkness found an opportunity to stay longer, was an inauspicious occasion and, therefore, they would gather together and stay awake the whole night by holding celebrations and lighting fire in order to leave behind the ominous night.
They would try to keep the fire lit all through the night and the person in charge of the task was called 'Atropat' or the 'guardian of fire' who used to have a religious rank in ancient Persia.
Ancient Iranians believed that the beginning of the year marked with the re-emergence or rebirth of the sun which coincided with the first day of the month of `Dey' when sun was salvaged from the claws of the devil of darkness and gradually spread its domination over the world.
However, apart from its religious and traditional characteristics, 'Yalda' has long been observed in the Iranian culture as the longest night of the year.
On this night, all members of the family stay together, narrate old stories, play traditional games and eat dried fruits and candies.
The fruits that are specially served at this night are sweet melon, water melon, grapes and pomegranates.
Fruits are symbol of spring and a summer loaded with agricultural bounties.
Pomegranates, placed on top of a fruit basket, are reminders of the cycle of life -- the rebirth and revival of generations. The purple outer covering of a pomegranate symbolizes "birth" or "dawn" and their bright red seeds the "glow of life."
Watermelons, apples, grapes, melons and persimmon are other special fruits served on Yalda night and all are symbols of freshness, warmth, love, kindness and happiness.
Another tradition that is massively observed on the night of Yalda is reading poems of the highly revered Iranian poet 'Hafez'.




.

[Dino78]

What more could I say but thank you, Shania.
As you know I'm always interested in learning something new
And now you are talking about without being asked

Thanks again!

[mistymorning]

Thanks Frank ! I appreciate your consideration !

Some more pics of decorated fruits and nuts of Yalda night :

[mistymorning]

[Kiki]

WOW Darling how interesting....thanks for charing it with us


Happy......... for you

[SleepyJack]

Enjoyed reading that,always nice to find out new things! Seems like a nice way of spending the longest night of the year.
Thanks for posting it.

[mistymorning]

Thanks alot for your considearatiom and I'm happy you like it dear kiki and Jack !




Yalda, in a tradition welcoming the birthday of the Goddess of Love,Mitra.

Pomegranates, placed on top of a fruit basket, are reminders of the cycle of life -- the rebirth and revival of generations. The purple outer covering of a pomegranate symbolizes "birth" or "dawn" and their bright red seeds the "glow of life."
Watermelons, apples, grapes, sweet melons and persimmon are other special fruits served on Yalda night and all are symbols of freshness, warmth, love, kindness and happiness

[epmoodyblue]

very interesting shania...thank u for sharing thisand this fruit yummy

[Angeline69]

Always interesting to learn about other countries' traditions. Thanks for sharing with us. The decorated fruits are beautiful

[cibetty]

Thanks Frank ! I appreciate your consideration !

Some more pics of decorated fruits and nuts of Yalda night :

This was interesting Shania! Woooow! These decorated fruits look so beautiful and yummy!

[Cliff]

Thank you so much Shania for sharing this custom with us. I love the symbolism in all your traditions & customs.The carved fruit etc. It has an order and a beauty to it. Beautiful customs from a beautiful country.
This is what TCB is all about. Sharing not only our friendship and love for Elvis, but also our way of life and customs. Shame that the rest of the world could not learn from us.
Well done Shania. You are indeed a wonderful ambassador for your country.

[mistymorning]

I thank you all of my dear friends for paying close attention to this thread . I'm very happy too that we can share about our culture and thoughts in this friendly forum ! I owe all of this to our dear Elvis .



I wish I could serve you all of these delicious fruits and nuts ! love ya ..........

[Dino78]

Shabe Yalda Mobarak!

[epmoodyblue]

but you can some day serve eat these fruits with me shania..if i ever visit your beyond beautiful country one day..we can eat these fruits together then u will take me on a tour of the neat places to visit...peace

[mistymorning]

but you can some day serve eat these fruits with me shania..if i ever visit your beyond beautiful country one day..we can eat these fruits together then u will take me on a tour of the neat places to visit...peace

I hope so Joe !!!!!!!! There are many beautiful places to visit and I'm sure you will enjoy persian hospitality my friend !

[mistymorning]

Shabe Yalda Mobarak!