Chaharshanbe Suri: A Symbol of Purity or a Field of Excitement?

WANA (Mar 18) – Tonight is Chaharshanbe Suri. The sky is darkening, and the sound of firecrackers and fireworks can be heard from every corner. Fires blazing in the alleys and streets have cast red shadows on the walls.

An old man is sitting by the window, his gaze is fixed on the flames, which transport him to distant years; to Chaharshanbe Suris that had a different color and scent, yet their spirit remained the same: transitioning from darkness to light, from sorrow to hope.

He recalls that in his childhood, Chaharshanbe Suri was nothing but the calm flames of fire and the “Ghashogh Zani.”There were no loud firecrackers or dangerous explosions. But today, many of those ancient traditions have faded, giving way to industrial fireworks.

Chaharshanbe Suri is the Iranian fire festival and one of the ancient Iranian traditions that has roots in Zoroastrian culture. On this night, people would light a sacred fire to ward off evil and welcome the new year, jumping over it. Fire, as a symbol of truth and light, has always held a special place in this tradition.

Iranians had another belief about lighting a fire on this night, which was that the spirits of their deceased loved ones would come to be with them. Therefore, they would light a fire to guide the spirits of their departed ones.

Iranians stand by the fire during the Wednesday Fire celebration (Chahar Shanbeh Soori in Persian) in a park in Tehran, Iran March 14, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

This celebration is not the only festival in which fire plays a central role. Many cultures around the world have festivals where fire symbolizes purification and transformation:

• Holi (India): In this spring festival, before the famous color throwing begins, the people light a fire called “Holika Dahan,” which symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
• Las Fallas (Spain): Every year, the people of Valencia burn large wooden and cardboard statues at the end of winter to celebrate the arrival of spring.
• Beltane (Scotland and Ireland): This ancient festival, held at the beginning of summer, involves jumping over fires for purification and good luck.

The similarities of these festivals show that people around the world have viewed fire as a symbol of change, purification, and new beginnings.

The old man gets up from beside the window. His grandson excitedly asks, “Grandpa, did you also play with firecrackers when you were a kid?” The old man smiles and says: “No, my dear, we used to jump over fire and say ‘My yellowness for you, your redness for me’ (a poem chanted to transfer one’s illness and yellowishness to the fire and take its vitality and redness).”

The grandson frowns. “Well, that’s not exciting!” The old man runs a hand through his white hair and quietly says, “The real excitement was being together, eating ‘Agil moshkel Gosha’ (problem-solving nuts, which symbolize overcoming problems), laughing, praying, and knowing that after this fire, a new year would be coming.”

An Iranian woman jumps over a fire during the Wednesday Fire celebration (Chahar Shanbeh Soori in Persian) in a park in Tehran, Iran, March 14, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Grandpa, who knows that his grandson has learned about “Halloween” through social media and movies and is interested in it, smiles and says, “You know, we have our own Halloween?” The grandson, with eyes full of wonder, asks, “Really, Grandpa?”

The old man nods his head and says, “Yes, my dear, we had a tradition called ‘Ghashogh Zani.’ Children and teenagers covered their faces and wore special clothes to disguise themselves. Then, with a bowl and spoon in hand, they went to the neighbors’ houses, banging the spoon on the bowl and asking for nuts and sweets.”

The old man continued, “Did you know that we also played a divination game on these nights?” The old man’s grandson, who was now completely curious, asked, “How? How?”

The old man said, “One of the old traditions of these nights was that the young people would make a wish and listen to the conversations of passersby in the streets to find a sign for their future from what they heard.”

But these days, Chaharshanbe Suri has taken on a different face. The rise of social media has brought significant changes to the tradition. Simple gatherings have given way to lavish parties and large fireworks displays.

Every year, new challenges trend on social media, from jumping over large fires to dangerous light shows. These changes have raised concerns that the true spirit of Chaharshanbe Suri, which is purification and joy, may get lost amidst these excitements.

Along with these changes, safety concerns have also increased. Every year, the celebration has many victims. Reckless and inappropriate use of fireworks causes amputations, severe burns, and even death as a result.

The deputy commander of the Iranian Police has announced that to prevent and reduce such incidents; the police will take strict action against violators on the last Wednesday of the year.

An Iranian woman lights a firework during the Wednesday Fire celebration (Chahar Shanbeh Soori in Persian) in a park in Tehran, Iran, March 14, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

According to a report by Iran’s Emergency Services, from February 28th to March 12th, 286 people were injured in Chaharshanbe-related incidents, and unfortunately, 5 people lost their lives.

Nevertheless, Chaharshanbe Suri is still alive. Amid the loud sounds of firecrackers and explosions, one can still find those calm flames that keep the light of hope alive in the hearts of Iranians. There are still elderly men who sit by the window and, in the glow of the fire, see a past connected to the future.

Perhaps it is time to reconsider this celebration, not just as an exciting night but as an opportunity to preserve the beautiful traditions of the past alongside modern thrills.

May your Chaharshanbe Suri be red and warm!