The night of Yalda or Chelle Night, when the earth prepares to crown winter, is a night that has been celebrated with noise in the streets and markets for a long time, as people prepare for this ancient celebration. In honor of the Yalda festival, happiness is set up in homes, and you can witness all the joy from the heart of Yalda. Leaving autumn, after spending the longest night of the year, turns the Yalda celebration into a symbol of hope for light and overcoming darkness, and our ancestors left this beautiful ritual for us as an excuse to gather together and appreciate each other and the value of moments.
Yalda night may remind us of continuous traffic and arriving late to the Yalda festival, or tables full of food that make us wander in choice, or even the long lines at nut shops and pastry shop windows empty of popular cakes and sweets. But among these new elements that we associate with Yalda, sometimes our minds may get involved in questions about Yalda night and its significance, leaving us without answers. Perhaps, among all the guests of Shab Chele, our minds are busy with the story of this celebration and when someone first thought of celebrating this night.
History of Yalda Night
In the first century AD, a large number of Eastern Christians settled in the Parthian and Sasanian territories. During this period, Iranians get to know “Yalda of Nestorian Christians”. Yalda means “birthday” in Syriac (Middle Aramaic dialect), and Syriac Christians used this word for Christmas. It was from here that the name of a Christian festival entered the non-Christian culture, and since it was synonymous with Shab Chele, Iranians gradually used both of these words to describe the last night of autumn
Some believe that “Yalda” is a Syriac word that means to be born and refers to the birth of the sun. Since the days will be long from the day after Yalda night, the name of Yalda also means the birth of the sun. The celebration comes from the word “Yasan” which means worship. In the course of time, Yasen has become a celebration and has taken the meaning of happiness and joy. In fact, it is necessary to know that some people believe that on Yalda night, the people of Iran used to pray; Therefore, perhaps the word of celebration that is attached to Yalda night is a reminder of people’s worship and prayers.
The longest and shortest Yalda night in Iran
As you know, the length of the nights depends on the geographical location of the region and it is interesting to know that the longest Yalda night is related to Mako (in the northwest of Iran), which is 5.14 hours, and the shortest Yalda night is for Chabahar (in the southeast of Iran). ) which is 5.13 hours
Celebration of Yalda Night
Undoubtedly, one of the most important customs of Yalda night in Iran is spending and celebrating at the elders’ house; Father, mother, grandfather and grandmother. If the elders are alive, the best place for family members to gather is their home. The gathering of the whole family in the house of one of the elders is one of the customs of Iranians on Yalda night, which is attractive even for foreigners. Depending on where you are in Iran, usually your grandmother or mother has a special plan for Yalda night dinner and cooks your favorite local food.
Setting up “Fire” is an integral part of Iranian ceremonies, especially the Yalda Night ceremony, which was held in winter. It is said that on Yalda night, Iranians used to make big fires.
The Yalda celebration was definitely a ritual corresponding to the Sun God and his battle with the cold. In other words, based on the same pattern theory in mythology and knowledge of the sun god and the cold demon, we conclude that the Yalda night ritual followed the mythological pattern of the sun god’s battle with the blackness of the night and the cold of winter for the believers of Iranian myths. In this way, lighting a fire on this night can be interpreted.
Activities of Shab-e Yalda
Yalda Night, also known as Shab-e Yalda, is celebrated on the longest night of the year, marking the winter solstice. It is a traditional Persian festival with various activities that bring families and friends together. Here are some common activities associated with this Night:
Gathering with Family and Friends: Chelle Night is primarily about bringing loved ones together. Families and friends gather to celebrate, often staying up late into the night.
Reading Poetry and Stories: It is customary to read poetry, particularly the works of Hafez, a revered Persian poet. People also share stories and anecdotes, often passed down through generations.
Playing Games: Families often play traditional games and engage in fun activities to pass the time and create joyful memories.
Reciting Hafez Divination (Fal-e Hafez): A popular Yalda tradition involves divination using the poetry of Hafez. People randomly open a book of Hafez’s poetry and interpret the poem on that page as guidance or insight into their lives.
Lighting Candles and Bonfires: Symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, lighting candles and sometimes bonfires is a common practice. It is a way to bring warmth and light into the longest night.
Watching the Sunrise: Some people stay up until dawn to watch the sunrise, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and the renewal of life and hope.
Sharing Memories and Stories: Elders in the family often share stories and memories, passing down cultural and family traditions to the younger generation.
Eating Traditional Foods:
A significant part of Chelle Night involves feasting. Some traditional foods include:
–Fruits: Pomegranates and watermelons are especially significant, symbolizing the sun and its cycle.
– Nuts and Sweets: Various nuts, dried fruits, and sweets are served.
– Persian Dishes: Depending on the region, various traditional Persian dishes are prepared.
These activities make Yalda Night a warm and festive occasion, celebrating cultural heritage, family bonds, and the anticipation of longer days ahead.
