Persian Festivals

Sizdah-Bedar

Nature's day

Historical Roots

Seezdah Bedar is an ancient Iranian tradition celebrated on the 13th day (around April 1-2) of the Persian new year also known as Nowruz. This festival encourages families to reconnect with nature and symbolically cast away bad luck that is associated with the number “13” which is “Seezdah” in Persian.

Exactly like Nowruz, the roots of Seezdah bedar can also be traced to Zoroastrianism. Ancient Persian people revered nature and considered it a divine creation. Historically, this festival marked the end of Nowruz holiday and the beginning of the agricultural season. Moreover, Seezdah bedar is a celebration of environment, emphasises the deep relationship between humans and the natural world. It shows the importance of environmental stewardships, a significant value embedded in Persian culture.

Celebration

a family having a picnic ina park.
Outdoor picnics
a table full of fruit and food, with a barbecue next to it.
Food and Festivities
a girl and a boy playing badminton, while two kids are playing with a ball.
Outdoor games

Seezdah bedar is the day for families and friends to gather in nature, often in parks, gardens, or countryside areas, to enjoy the peace in nature. This festival fosters unity, strengthens family ties, and enhances communal bounds.

A typical Persian Seezdah bedar is kids playing games around and others cooking food on barbecue and enjoying the beauty of nature. Since Persians mostly enjoy songs, dancing is also an integral part of the celebration.

One of the traditions on Seezdah bedar is to take the sprouts (Sabzeh) that was in the Haft-seen table during Nowruz and release them into flowing water. This act symbolises discarding negativity and inviting renewal and good fortune.

Activities

a mother showing her kids how to tie grass.
Tying grass

Tying grass is a beloved tradition for this festival. You simply make a wish and tie grass.

What you’ll need:

  1. A patch of grass or reeds in a park or garden.

What to do:

Show your kids how to tie two blades of grass. Encourage them to make a wish while tying the grass, and simply leave the tied grass in nature, symbolising the hope for wishes to come true.

two kids, one boy and one girl are flying kites in a park while their father is watching them.
Flying kites

Flying kites is a fun and symbolic activity representing freedom and joy, and has the potential to entertain kids for many hours.

What you’ll need:

  1. Biodegradable sky lanterns.
  2. Store bought kites or materials to make one on your own (paper, string, sticks, and tape).

What to do:

It is more fun if you let the kids to create or decorate their own kites if possible. Head to an open field and enjoy flying the kites together.