WANA (Oct 18) – As you read this text, Iran is in the year 1403, a year that seems to be 622 years behind other countries in the world. But why is this the case? The answer lies in the unique structure of the Iranian calendar, known as the Solar Hijri calendar, which has its special months and names.

 

This calendar is not merely a common method for measuring time; it is recognized as one of the most accurate calendars in the world. For this reason, it has fundamental differences from the Gregorian calendar, which is used in most countries. Alongside Iran, Afghanistan also utilizes this remarkable system.

 

Differences Between Calendars

But what distinguishes the Solar Hijri calendar from the Gregorian calendar? The starting point of the Gregorian calendar is the birth of Jesus Christ, while the Solar Hijri calendar begins with the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Mecca to Medina, which coincides with the year 622 AD.

 

Interestingly, both calendars are based on the solar cycle, which is why some days in each calendar system coincide. For example, Christmas, which is celebrated on December 25, corresponds to the 4th of Dey in the Solar Hijri calendar. This alignment never changes, allowing the calendars to coexist harmoniously.

 

The Gregorian calendar, used by most countries today, was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII, replacing the Julian calendar. It has a leap year system where, every four years, December has 30 days, and thus, each Gregorian year begins in the winter season, distinguishing it from the Iranian calendar. The beginning of each year in the Iranian calendar falls on the 1st of Farvardin, marking the start of spring.

 

Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia were the last countries to adopt this calendar as their official calendar in the past fifty years.

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Structure of the Iranian Calendar

The Solar Hijri calendar consists of 12 months of varying lengths. The first 6 months have 31 days, the next 5 months have 30 days, and the last month, Esfand, has 29 days in common years and 30 days in leap years. Each year is divided into four familiar seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter, each comprising three months.

 

The Iranian months, which begin in Spring on March 21 names, are “Farvardin” (March – April), “Ordibehesht” (April – May), “Khordad” (May – June), “Tir” (June – July), “Mordad” (July – August), “Shahrivar” (August – September), “Mehr” (September – October), “Aban” (October – November), “Azar” (November – December), “Dey” (December – January), “Bahman” (January – February), “Esfand” (February – March).

 

Each month has about four weeks, and each week consists of seven days, which starts with Saturday: “Shanbe” (Saturday), “Yek Shanbe” (Sunday), “Do Shanbe” (Monday), “Se Shanbe” (Tuesday), “Chahar Shanbe” (Wednesday), “Panj Shanbe” (Thursday), and “Jumeh” (Friday).

 

One of the intriguing aspects of the Iranian year is naming each year after an animal, reflecting the beliefs of ancient Iranians. They believed that each year is carried by one of twelve animals—from the mouse to the pig—who bear the weight of the Earth. Accordingly, each year is named after one of these animals:

 

1. Mouse
2. Ox
3. Leopard
4. Rabbit
5. Whale
6. Snake
7. Horse
8. Sheep
9. Monkey
10. Rooster
11. Dog
12. Pig

 

This tradition adds a layer of meaning and cultural significance to the passage of time, intertwining the natural world with human experiences.

 

Therefore, when the clock strikes midnight on the first day of Farvardin, heralding the arrival of spring and the New Year, Iranians across the land celebrate not only the passage of time but also their profound connection to history and heritage, reminding themselves of the beauty inherent in this diversity and various ways of measuring life.

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