Sadeh
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Sadeh جشن سده | |
---|---|
Also called | Jashn-e Sadeh (Persian: جشن سده) |
Observed by | Iran Tajikistan Canada (by Iranian Canadians) United States (by Iranian Americans) |
Date | 10 Bahman (January 29, 30, or 31) |
Frequency | annual |
Related to | Nowruz, Tirgan, Mehregan, Yalda |
Sadeh (
History
Legends have it that King Hushang, the 2nd king of the mythological Pishdadian dynasty (Pishdad means to give the Law), established the Sadeh tradition. It is said that once Hushang was climbing a mountain when he saw a snake and wanted to hit it with a stone. When he threw the stone, it fell on another stone and since they were both flint stones, fire broke out and the snake escaped. This way he discovered how to light a fire.[3] Hushang cheered up and praised God who revealed to him the secret of lighting a fire. Then he announced: "This is a light from God. So we must admire it."
According to religious beliefs, Jashn-e Sadeh recalls the importance of light, fire and energy; light which comes from God is found in the hearts of his creatures.
During ancient times, Jashn-e Sadeh was celebrated by lighting fire.
During ancient times, the fires were always set near water and the temples (see also: Fire temple). The fire originally meant to assist the revival of sun and bring back the warmth and light of summer. It was also meant to drive off the demons of frost and cold, which turned water to ice, and thus could kill the roots of plants.
The fire was kept burning all night. The day after, women would go to the fire in the morning, each taking a small portion of the fire back to their homes to make new glowing fire from the "blessed fire" of the temple. This is to spread the blessing of the Sadeh fire to every household in the neighborhood. Whatever is left from the fire would be taken back to the shrine to be placed in one container and kept at the temple until the next year. This way the fire is kept burning all year round. The "eternal fire" also symbolizes the love of homeland which is always alive like a fervent fire in the people's hearts.
The festivities would normally continue for three days. The evenings are spent eating and giving out foods as donations, food that is prepared from slaughtered lambs and is distributed among the poor.
The most elaborate report of the celebration of Sadeh after the
Today the ceremony is celebrated somewhat like the ancient times in some Iranian cities such as
Every year, on 30 January[
There is a cave in a mountain near
Although for the majority of Iranians Sadeh has no religious significance and no specific rituals are involved other than lighting fires at sunset and having a cheerful time, Iranians of all faiths make a collective effort at this day to keep up with their ancient traditions and to celebrate the preciousness of creation.
Sadeh has a complex history and two different days were observed for the festival's veneration. In addition to 50 days (100 days and nights) before the beginning of the new year (or hundredth day after the gahambar of Ayathrima), already noted, the other celebration marked the hundred day before the religious new year (religious new year is not necessarily the same as spring new year). It is not clear why there are two Sadeh Festivals and why different regions have had different dates. Many of Zoroastrian holy days were and are celebrated twice; this is most likely caused by the calendar reform in the 3rd century AD.
Since 2017 Sadeh is officially recognized and celebrated by the Government of Tajikistan.[5]
On January 30, 2023, people in multiple different cities of Iran, celebrated Sadeh.
See also
- Culture of Iran
- Fire in ancient Iranian culture
- Iranian festivals
- Iranian culture
- Zoroastrian calendar
References
- ^ ""Sadeh" Ancient Persian Fire Fest". Mehr / Payvand. 2010-01-31. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
- ^ "SADEH Festival and the Muslims who Convert to Zoroastrianism". Iranian.com. 3 Feb 2011. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
- ^ Bahrami, Askar, Jashnha-ye Iranian, Tehran, 1383, p. 51.
- ^ "Celebrating the Sadeh festival". AP / Dawn.com. 31 Jan 2012. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
- ^ "اولین جشن رسمی سده در تاجیکستان". February 2018.
- ^ a b c d "برگزاری جشن سده در شهرهای مختلف ایران و سر دادن شعارهای شبانه و دیوارنویسی ضدحکومتی". ایران اینترنشنال (in Persian). Retrieved 31 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "برگزاری جشن سده در شهرهای مختلف ایران همراه با شعارهای ضد حکومتی". رادیو فردا (in Persian). Retrieved 31 January 2023.
External links
- Muslims Convert to Zoroastrianism in Sadeh Festival in Holland (Video)
- Articles related to Sadeh / Zoroastrian News
- News about Zoroastrian ceremonies: World Zoroastrian News Network (WZNN)
- Mahtāj Rasouli, The Feast of Fire, in Persian, Jadid Online, 29 January 2010, [1].
Mehrāveh Soroushiān, audio slideshow, Jadid Online, 29 January 2010, [2] (4 min 35 sec). - Krasnowolska ,Anna . "SADA FESTIVAL – Encyclopaedia Iranica". Encyclopædia Iranica. 2009-08-15. Retrieved 2015-01-27.