Sizdah Bedar

I was sixteen years old when we gathered with all relatives and acquaintances to celebrate “Sizdah Bedar” in the garden of a friend. A group of philosophers, literary scholars, and musicians also joined us to make the day more beautiful. At noon, I, along with all the girls, joyfully went into the greenery and, chanting “By the right of Shah Mardan, fulfill my heart’s wishes,” we tied the sprouts with hopes for a good spouse and bright days of marriage. In the evening, I spoke with a literature professor and mythologist, who asked me with a kind smile about the philosophy of Sizdah Bedar and tying the sprouts. I replied: all I know is that the number thirteen is unlucky and ominous, and girls tie sprouts to find a beautiful spouse. He smiled and said: since I see your love for knowledge and your pursuit of science in your eyes, I want to plant seeds of wisdom and positivity in your mind, heart, and soul through knowledge; respect what people believe and say, but if you are inquisitive, seek the why and how through knowledge. This kind, wise, and powerful teacher opened the window of science, love, and hope before my eyes. Gradually, I learned to take deep steps in the pursuit of awareness for my inner belief and knowledge.

That day, the professor revealed the philosophy of the number thirteen to me. From his words and my subsequent research, I realized that “Iranian culture and civilization” is full of “love, kindness, and goodness,” and there is no such thing as “unlucky” or “ominous,” and no scholar or writer in ancient texts ever referred to this day negatively.

The superstition of number 13 being unlucky has roots in some beliefs, especially in Western civilization. In the West, this belief sometimes influences daily activities and events, particularly because they think that at the Last Supper, the thirteenth disciple betrayed Christ. Moreover, in ancient Greek mythology, there was a council of twelve gods, and a thirteenth one entered and killed one of them.

However, contrary to all beliefs that consider thirteen unlucky, in our homeland’s culture it is very auspicious and blessed. Many scholars have mentioned the thirteenth of Nowruz as a fortunate day in their books and poetry.

Ancient Iranians believed the age of the world was 12,000 years, and after this period, the world would be renewed and a new cycle would begin. After these 12,000 years, humans would overcome evil, and with the emergence of the promised savior, Soshyant, the last evil forces would be destroyed, the “Resurrection” would occur, and the world would be full of goodness. In this sense, the day after the resurrection is the first day of the thirteenth millennium and the start of a pure and good world. Therefore, the number thirteen was a symbol of beginning and rebirth, highly respected among ancient Iranians, and “Sizdah Bedar of Nowruz” was a sign of the world’s renewal and the beginning of goodness in the year, reminding of a “beautiful and good resurrection.”

For this reason, and to signify the start of a new life cycle and renewed effort, people celebrate the thirteenth day of each year in nature, enjoying joy and dancing, preparing for a pure and prosperous year.

The thirteenth of Farvardin marks the creation of the universe. On this day, a bond forms between humans and nature, welcoming each other. This celebration also calls for diligence and effort, inviting humans to begin work the next day in God’s name, building a new life along with the new year. On this day, the Nowruz festivities that start with Chaharshanbe Suri conclude with Sizdah Bedar, as people go into nature, symbolizing the pure earth, spread carpets, and celebrate the thirteenth day amidst nature.

In the Iranian calendar, each day of the month has a specific name. For example, the first day is “Ormazd” and the thirteenth day is “Tir,” meaning good and auspicious. This day belongs to the deity Tir. In the Avestan language, Tir means “Tishter” or “Rain God,” the origin of all waters, rainfall, and fertility. Thus, Tir symbolized the pure deity and divine mercy for ancient Iranians, and this day was for praying for rain.

In ancient times, after Nowruz ceremonies and the growth of sprouts, grains, and other crops, people would go into nature on the thirteenth of Farvardin to pray for rain. Therefore, every year, Iranians celebrate the start of planting in Nowruz on the first day named after rain, hoping the kind earth will grow the seeds until Mehregan, the harvest festival. Thus, Sizdah Bedar is a major, sacred, and valuable celebration with a history of several thousand years, concluding the greatest festival of the year, Nowruz.

Another custom during Sizdah Bedar is tying sprouts. This ritual is meant to involve Mother Nature in the union and marriage of a man and woman. Moreover, in ancient Iran, during King Keyumars’ time, “Mashiyeh” and “Mashiyaneh,” his twin children, married on the thirteenth of Farvardin for the first time in the world, using sprigs before formal marriage existed. Based on this, young girls and boys perform the tying of sprouts as a symbolic act of marriage and hope for a good union, a tradition that continues to this day.

Sizdah Bedar is one of the few Iranian festivals still observed. Studying this celebration shows us that we can see thirteen not as unlucky, but as a symbol of mercy and blessing, and that celebrating the thirteenth of Farvardin marks a new beginning and renewed effort toward life and resurrection. Therefore, it is appropriate to leave behind old misconceptions and view “Sizdah” and “Sizdah Bedar” with a fresh perspective.