Iranians flock outdoors to celebrate ancient festival marking end of Persian New Year gather in Tehrans Niavar
Iranians flock outdoors to celebrate ancient festival marking end of Persian New Year holidays, to mark the ancient festival of Sizdeh Bedar. The festival predates Islam and goes back thousands of years to the time when Zoroastrianism was the predominant religion of Persia. Sizdeh Bedar falls on the thirteenth day of Nowruz. Sizdeh is 13 and Bedar means "passing" in Persian. It is believed to be bad luck to stay indoors on the holiday. The ancient festival has several customs. Iranians throw trays of sprouted seeds that have been sitting on their Nowruz tables into water representing happy life. Young and old alike tie blades of grass or flowers together in the hope the New Year will be filled with happiness and prosperity. Young girls usually make wishes to get married as they tie the blades of grass.
Size: 5300px × 3548px
Location: Terhan, Iran
Photo credit: © Terry Bruce / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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