Sizdah-bedar: Iranians celebrate 'day of nature'
Millions of Iranians are spending Monday outdoors on the final day of celebrations for the New Year holidays. The term sizdah-bedar literally means 'out with the thirteenth'. To Iranians, the number '13' symbolizes evil and bad luck.
The annual sizdah-bedar picnic is based on an ancient Iranian tradition that encourages people to avoid any ill omens at home by going outdoors on the 13th day of the new year. Since ancient times, Iranians have enjoyed their yearly trek to the outdoors, when families set off for green and open spaces. In Iranian tradition, the first 12 days of the new year symbolize order in the world and in people's lives. The 13th day marks the return to ordinary daily life.
Historians believe that the traditions observed during sizdah-bedar date back to the lives of ancient Iranians. In one of the traditions, young ladies tie together blades of grass in hope of finding their ideal husbands. The gesture represents the bond between a man and a woman. According to the Avesta, the holy scriptures of the Zoroastrians, celebrating sizdah-bedar helps Spenta Mainyu (the holy spirit) prevail over Angra Mainyu (the evil spirit).
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