Iran Daily Tuesday, March.

14, 2023
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Chaharshanbe Suri Festival,

surfiran.com IRNA

Festival of Fire (Chaharshanbe This tradition involves chil- with colorful ribbons, flowers, The burning of wild rue is a been shown to have antibac- pare the snack. The ingredients
Suri) is held on the last Tues- dren and young adults taking and other decorations. significant and ancient tradi- terial, antifungal, and anti-in- are mixed together and placed
day evening of every Iranian to the streets with spoons and Spoon-banging takes place tion during the Chaharshanbe flammatory properties. in small bowls or trays, which
calendar year. This is the an- other kitchen utensils to bang in the evening on the night of Suri Festival. Whether for spir- are then distributed among the
cient festival of Iran, Azerbai- on pots and pans, creating a Chaharshanbe Suri. Children itual or medicinal purposes, A wish-granting snack participants.
jan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Tajiki- cacophony of noise and excite- and young adults gather in the use of wild rue continues Ajeel-e Chaharshanbe Suri As the snack is consumed, in-
stan and Turkey, dating back ment. groups, armed with spoons to play an important part in is a traditional snack that is dividuals are encouraged to
to 1700 BCE. make wishes and set inten-
Iranians come out with friends tions for the coming year. It is
and family to celebrate and believed that the wish-granting
enjoy this occasion. Cha- powers of the snack can help
harshanbeh Suri is a prelude manifest these intentions and
to Nowruz, which marks the bring good fortune and pros-
arrival of spring in Iran, surf- perity.
iran.com reported. The consumption of the ajeel is
seen as a way to align oneself
Jumping over the fire with these principles and to at-
The celebration usually starts tract positive energy and good
in the evening, with people fortune in the coming year.
making bonfires in the streets In addition to its spiritual sig-
and jumping over them. Some nificance, the ajeel is also a
believe jumping over bonfires delicious and nutritious snack.
is a way expelling negative en- The mix of dried fruits, nuts,
ergy, sickness, and problems, and seeds provides a range of
and in turn getting fulfillment, vitamins, minerals, and anti-
warmth, and energy. Cha- oxidants that are essential for
harshanbe Suri serves as a cul- Spoon-banging Aash reshteh
good health.
tural festival for many Iranians. ISNA orkidehrestaurant.com
Jumping over the fire, which is What to eat
an ancient Zoroastrian tradi- One of the traditional foods
tion, is a central part of the festi- of Chaharshanbe Suri is aash
val and is believed to bring good reshteh, a thick and hearty
luck and ward off evil spirits. soup made with beans, lentils,
It is said that the flames of the and noodles. It is typically gar-
fire represent the burning away nished with fried onions, dried
of the previous year’s misfor- mint, and kashk, a type of fer-
tunes, and the purification of mented yogurt. Aash reshteh
the soul. Jumping over the fire is believed to bring good for-
is believed to symbolize the tune and prosperity to those
leap from darkness into the who consume it during Cha-
light, from winter into spring. harshanbe Suri.
Preparations for Chaharshanbe Another popular dish is sabzi
Suri begin days before the festi- polo ba mahi, a fragrant rice
val, with people gathering fire- dish that is served with grilled
wood, preparing firecrackers fish. The rice is typically fla-
and fireworks, and making spe- vored with herbs such as dill,
cial foods for the occasion. On parsley, and coriander, and is
the night of the festival people Burning wild rue seeds Ajeel-e Chaharshanbe Suri cooked with fragrant saffron.
surfiran.com pestaco.com
gather to light bonfires in their Sabzi polo ba mahi represents
backyards or in public places. the hope for a bountiful har-
The tradition of jumping over The origins of spoon-banging and other utensils, and move Iranian culture and tradition. consumed during the Cha- vest in the coming year.
the fire is performed by people are not entirely clear, but it is through the streets, banging In ancient times, it was be- harshanbe Suri Festival in Iran. Kookoo sabzi is also a popu-
of all ages, from young children believed to have been a way for on pots and pans and making lieved that the burning of rue This snack is believed to have lar dish during Chaharshanbe
to the elderly. Before jump- young people to celebrate the as much noise as possible. It is could purify the air and protect wish-granting powers, and its Suri. It is a type of herb frit-
ing, people recite the phrase arrival of spring and to drive a lively and boisterous celebra- against various diseases. consumption is said to bring tata, made with eggs, parsley,
“sorkhi-ye to az man, zardi-ye away evil spirits. The noise tion, with participants shout- It is believed that the smoke good luck and prosperity in the coriander, and chives. Kookoo
man az to,” which means, “may of the banging is said to scare ing and singing traditional from the burning rue can ward coming year. sabzi is typically served with
your redness be mine, and my away any malevolent forces songs as they go. off evil spirits and negative en- The snack is typically made up flatbread and yogurt, and is
paleness be yours”. and to bring good luck for the ergies, clearing the way for a of a mix of dried fruits, nuts, believed to represent new be-
However, it is important to coming year. Burning wild rue seeds fresh start and new beginnings and seeds, such as pistachios, ginnings and growth.
note that the tradition is not The tradition of spoon-bang- One of the most ancient and in the coming year. almonds, raisins, and pump- Finally, halva is a sweet treat
without its risks, and caution ing has evolved over time, with significant traditions during In addition to its spiritual kin seeds. The ingredients are that is often prepared during
should be taken to ensure the some participants adding fire- the Chaharshanbe Suri Festi- significance, the use of rue in carefully selected to represent Chaharshanbe Suri. It is made
safety of participants. crackers and other noisemak- val is the burning of wild rue, traditional medicine has also different aspects of life, such as with sesame paste, sugar, and
ers to the mix. It has also be- or “esfand” in Persian. This been studied and recognized health, wealth, and happiness. rose water, and is typically
Spoon-banging come a way for young people tradition involves the burning by modern science. Rue con- The process of making ajeel-e served with tea. Halva is be-
Another unique aspect of the to express their creativity, with of dried leaves and twigs of the tains several bioactive com- Chaharshanbe Suri is a com- lieved to symbolize happiness
Chaharshanbe Suri Festival is some designing and decorating rue plant to ward off evil spir- pounds, including alkaloids munal one, with families and and joy, and is a delicious way
the practice of spoon-banging. their spoons and other utensils its and negative energy. and flavonoids, which have friends coming together to pre- to end the festivities.