Note: what you see is what I have found interesting about Yalda's night on the internet. the source of each section is at the end of that part.
Yalda
(The Night of the Fortieth)
1) Yalda, a Syriac word imported into the Persian language by the Syriac Christians means birth (tavalud and melaad are from the same origin). It is a relatively recent arrival and it was very likely refereed to the birth of Jesus Christ (Melaad e Massih) in the past. It is used interchangeably with ‘Shab e Cheleh’, a Zoroastrian celebration of Winter Solstice around December 21st. Forty days before the next Persian festival ‘Jashn e Sadeh’: this night has been celebrated in countless cultures for thousands of years. The ancient Roman festivals of Saturnalia (God of Agriculture, Saturn) and Sol Invicta (Sun God) are amongst the best known in the Western world.
In most ancient cultures, including Persia, the start of the solar year has been marked to celebrate the victory of light over darkness and the renewal of the Sun. For instance, Egyptians, four thousand years ago celebrated the rebirth of the sun at this time of the year. They set the length of the festival at 12 days, to reflect the 12 divisions in their sun calendar. They decorated with greenery, using palms with 12 shoots as a symbol of the completed year, since a palm was thought to put forth a shoot each month.
The Persians adopted their annual renewal festival from the Babylonians and incorporated it into the rituals of their own Zoroastrian religion. The last day of the Persian month Azar is the longest night of the year, when the forces of Ahriman are assumed to be at the peak of their strength. While the next day, the first day of the month ‘Day’ known as ‘khoram rooz’ or ‘khore rooz’ (the day of sun) belongs to Ahura Mazda, the Lord of Wisdom. Since the days are getting longer and the nights shorter, this day marks the victory of Sun over the darkness. The occasion was celebrated in the festival of ‘Daygan’ dedicated to Ahura Mazda, on the first day of the month ‘Day’.
Fires would be burnt all night to ensure the defeat of the forces of Ahriman. There were feasts, acts of charity and a number of deities were honored and prayers performed to ensure the total victory of sun that was essential for the protection of winter crops. There would be prayers to Mithra (Mihr) and feasts in his honor, since Mithra is the Eyzad responsible for protecting ‘the light of the early morning’, known as ‘Havangah’. It was also assumed that Ahura Mazda would grant people’s wishes, specially those with no offspring had the hope to be blessed with children if performed all rites on this occasion.
One of the themes of the festival was the temporary subversion of order. Masters and servants reversed roles. The king dressed in white would change place with ordinary people. A mock king was crowned and masquerades spilled into the streets. As the old year died, rules of ordinary living were relaxed. This tradition persisted till Sassanian period, and is mentioned by Biruni and others in their recordings of pre-Islamic rituals and festivals. Its’ origin goes back to the Babylonian New Year celebration.
These people believed the first creation was order that came out of chaos. To appreciate and celebrate the first creation they had a festival and all roles were reversed. Disorder and chaos ruled for a while and eventually order was restored and succeeded at the end of the festival.
The Egyptian and Persian traditions merged in ancient Rome, in a festival to the ancient god of seedtime, Saturn. The Romans exchanged gifts, partied and decorated their homes with greenery. Following the Persian tradition, the usual order of the year was suspended. Grudges and quarrels were forgotten, wars were interrupted or postponed. Businesses, courts and schools were closed. Rich and poor became equal, masters served slaves, and children headed the family. Cross-dressing and masquerades, merriment of all kinds prevailed. A mock king, the Lord of Misrule, was crowned. Candles and lamps chased away the spirits of darkness.
Another related Roman festival celebrated at the same time was dedicated to Sol Invictus ("the invincible sun"). Originally a Syrian deity, the Roman Emperor Heliogabalus imported the cult in to Rome and Sol was made god of the state. With the spread of Christianity, Christmas celebration became the most important Christian festival. In the third century Christians celebrated various dates, from December to April for Christmas. January 6 was the most favored day because it was thought to be Jesus’ Baptismal day (in the Greek Orthodox Church this continues to be the day to celebrate Christmas). In year 350, December 25 was adopted in Rome and gradually almost the entire Christian Church agreed to that date, which coincided, with Winter Solstice and the festivals, Sol Invicta and Saturnalia. Many of the rituals and traditions of the pagan festivals were incorporated into the Christmas celebration and are still observed today.
It is not clear when and how the world ‘Yalda’ entered the Persian language. Iran had a large Christian population. Territories like Armenia that was part of the Persian Empire for centuries were entirely Christian along with other border countries and parts of Byzantine City States continuously changing hands between Persia and Anatolia. The massive persecution of the early Christians in Rome and the later sectarian wars between different Christian sects during the Byzantium era brought many Christian refugees into the Sassanid Empire and it is very likely that these Christians introduced and popularized ‘Yalda’ in Iran. Yalda was their celebration of Christmas. Gradually ‘Shab e Yalda’ and ‘Shab e Cheleh’ became synonymous and the two are used interchangeably.
With the conquest of Islam the religious significance of both Christmas and the ancient Persian festival was lost. Today ‘Shab e Cheleh’ is merely a social occasion, when family and friends get together for fun and merriment. Different kinds of dried fruits, nuts, seeds and fresh winter fruits are consumed. The presence of dried and fresh fruits is reminiscence of the ancient feasts to celebrate and pray to the deities to ensure the protection of the winter crops. Medieval poetry from Hafez is read and fortunes are sought through the interpretation of his poems. This extremely popular poet lived in the 14th century, his poetry is found in almost every household. It is a tradition to make a wish, then open a page randomly and start reading the first poem on that page.
Interpretations of the poem are used to decide whether the wish will come true or not. Before the coming of TV and other mass media it was customary for the grandparents to tell popular old stories to their grandchildren on this night.
Family members gathered around and under a uniquely designed short wooden table covered with large quilts and blankets. A small charcoal fire was prepared in a fire resistant open container with ashes on top to regulate and control the burning charcoal. This was placed under the table and all members would curl under, kept warm even ate and slept there. The table is called ‘corsi’ and was very popular till recently. Electricity and more efficient heating systems have eliminated corsi as a heating alternative. However many traditional families still use modern electrical versions of it and the tradition is kept alive. Curling under corsi, listening to grandparents telling ancient and magical stories eating fruits, nuts etc. is associated with shab e cheleh and was part of every Iranian’s growing up memories till recently.
The Iranian Jews, who are amongst the oldest inhabitants of the country, in addition to ‘Shab e Cheleh’, also celebrate the festival of ‘Illanout’ (tree festival) at around the same time. Their celebration of Illanout is very similar to Shab e Cheleh celebration. Candles are lit; all varieties of dried and fresh winter fruits will have to be present. Special meals are prepared and prayers are performed.
There are also very similar festivals in many parts of Southern Russia that are identical to ‘Shab e Cheleh’ festival with local variations. Sweet breads are baked in shape of humans and animals. Bon fires are made; dances are performed that resemble crop harvesting. Comparison and detailed studies of all these celebrations no doubt will shed more light on the forgotten aspects of this wonderful and ancient festival, where merriment was the main theme of the festival.
From: http://www.cultureofiran.com/yalda.php
2. Winter Feast: SHAB-E YALDAA: In the east more than in the west, life-styles have often remained more in tune with nature. Therefore, natural rhythms change from morning to evening, from month to month, and finally from season to season. This integration of nature into life cycles is especially true in Iran. The winter solstice, December 21 or 22, is the longest night of the year. In Iran this night is called SHAB-E YALDAA, which refers to the birthday or rebirth of the sun. The ceremony is traced to the primal concept of Light and Good against Darkness and Evil in the ancient Iranian religion. This night with Evil as its zenith is considered unlucky. From this day forward, Light triumphs as the days grow longer and give more light. This celebration comes in the Persian month of DAY, which was also the name of the pre-Zoroastrian creator god (deity). Later he became known as the God of creation and Light, from which we have the English word "day" (the period of light in 24 hours).
In the evening of SHAB-E YALDAA bonfires are lit outside, while inside family and friends gather in a night-long vigil around the KORSEE, a low, square table covered with a thick cloth overhanging on all sides. A brazier with hot coals is placed under the table. All night the family and friends sit on large cushions (futons) around the KORSEE with the cloth over their laps. Formerly fruit and vegetables were only available in season and the host, usually the oldest in the family, would carefully save grapes, honeydew melons, watermelons, pears, oranges, tangerines, apples and cucumbers. These were then enjoyed by everyone gathered around the KORSEE, or a fireplace.
On this winter night, the oldest member of the family says prayers, thanks God for the previous year's crops, and prays for the prosperity of next year's harvest. Then with a sharp knife, he cuts the thick yogurt, the melon, and the watermelon and gives everyone a share. The cutting symbolizes the removal of sickness and pain from the family. Snacks are passed around through the night: pomegranates with angelica powder (GOLPAR) and AJEEL_E SHABCHAAREH or AJEEL-E SHAB_E YALDAA, a combination of nuts and dried fruits. Eating nuts is said to lead to prosperity in days to come. More substantial fare for the night's feast include eggplant stew with plain saffron-flavored rice; and rice with chicken; thick yogurt, saffron, and carrot brownies (HALVAA-E HAVEEJ). The foods themselves symbolize the balance of the seasons; watermelons and yogurt are eaten as a remedy for the heat of the summer, since these fruits are considered cold or SARDEE, and HALVAA, the saffron and carrot brownies, is eaten to overcome the cold temperatures of winter (since they are considered hot or GARMEE). On into the night of festivities, the family keeps the fires burning and the lights glowing to help the sun in its battle against darkness.
Early Christians took this very ancient Persian celebration to Mitra, Godess of Light, and linked it to Christ's birthday. Today the dates for Christmas are slightly changed but there are many similarities; lighting candles, decorating trees with lights, staying up all night, singing and dancing, eating special foods, paying visits, and finally, celebrating this longest night of the year with family and friends. 3)Yalda: While the Christians all over the world are preparing themselves for celebrating one of the most widespread ceremonies of mankind, that is Christmas, the Iranians in Iran and outside are getting ready to celebrate one of their most ancient celebrations, yalda. Is it a mere coincidence that these two celebration are so close to each other, Christmas is celebrated on Dec. the 25th. and yaldA is celebrated on the night of Dec. the 21th. the night before the first day of winter?! well I have found something on this subject. My reference in what follows is gAhshomAri va jashnhAy-e irAn-e bAstAn written by Mr. hAshem razi, and published in iran.
Yalda and its related ceremonies which are held at the night of the first day of winter; the longest night of the year; is a very ancient tradition, and is related to Mehr Yazat. Yalda is an Aryan ceremony and the followers of MithrAism have celebrated it for thousands of years in Iran. Yalda is the night of Mehr or MithrA,'s birth.
Yalda is also called Chelleh (Shab-e Chelleh) and as mentioned earlier is the night of birth of the unconquerable sun, or Mehr. This ceremony is as ancient as the time that people organized their lives based on seasonal changes.
Light, day and sunshine were assumed to be the signs of order and ahurAic whereas night, darkness and cold were thought as to be ahriman's sign. Watching the changes in the length of days and nights, made the people believe that light and darkness, or day and night are in continuous battle. Light's victory resulted in longer days whereas darkness's victory meant longer nights.
Since the first night of winter is the longest night and from that night on the days get longer and the warmth and light of the sun increases, that night was supposed to be will go the time for the re-birth of sun. The Aryan tribes, in India, Iran and Europe celebrated sun's birth at the beginning of winter.
To remain safe of ahriman's harms, people gathered on this night and made fire, and arranged a special setting on which any fresh fruit which was preserved and also all the dry fruits were put. This setting was sacred and religious. They asked sun yazat to bless them. The fruits resembled people's hope for a fruitful spring and summer. They spent all the night together beside the fire to get rid of ahriman's harm.
When mithrAism spread to ancient civilized world from Iran, in Rome and many European countries, the 21th. of December which is the day before the beginning day of Iranian month day or the first month of winter, was celebrated as mithrA's birthday. But in the 4th. century A.D., because of some errors in counting the leap year, the birth day of mithrA shifted to 25th. of December and was established. Until that time the birthday of Jesus Christ was celebrated in January the 6th. But the religion of most of the Romans and the people of many of the European countries was still mithrAism. But when Christianity spread, the priests, since could not stop the practice of celebrating _mithrA_'s birthday on December the 25th. declared this day as Jesus's birthday which is still so.
Yalda is a soriAni word meaning birth. The Roman used the word nAtAlis for birth. The soriAni Christians brought the word Yalda to Iran, which is still used. It is not just mithrA's birth time which entered Christianity. Nowadays all Christians who celebrate Jesus's birthday, do not sleep for the whole longest night of the year, eat and drink and have fun.
There are so many common believes and customs (sometimes hidden from our notice!!) between different nations and religions. Let's know those customs and talk about them, so that we may bring friendship and peace among the people of the world. Zoroastrianism and Iranian culture is so ancient that it has many similarities (and of course differences!!) with most of the great faiths of the world. Let us emphasize on the similarities and not on the differences
Extracted from: http://www.payk.net/culture/shabeYalda/
4) Ajil Moshkel Gosha:
whole raw almonds walnuts Salted and roasted Chick-pea (nokhod-chi) dried figs dried apricots dried peaches dark/black raisins golden raisins (kesh-mesh sabz) whole raw hazelnut
And watermelone and pomogrante on the side!
Translated from: http://www.tierrechts.net/vegan_persian_cooking.htm
A vendor in Tehran is making a sale during Yalda, an ancient feast that celebrates the winter solstice. Watermelon is traditionally served.
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