Sizdah Bedar in Iran
Sizdah Bedar falls on 13 Farvardin, the final day of the Nowruz celebration period in Iran. It is both a date on the national public-holiday list and a day when many families head outdoors for a shared meal and games.[1][2]
A public holiday on 13 Farvardin
Iran’s law on official holidays lists 13 Farvardin as a national public holiday. The date is widely observed as Sizdah Bedar.[1]
The holiday follows Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. Encyclopaedia Iranica describes 13 Farvardin as the point when the Nowruz festive period ends.[2]
An outdoor day to close Nowruz
For the day, families leave their homes and gather in parks, gardens, open countryside or beside streams. The outing is described as a way to ward off the ill fortune associated with the number thirteen, as well as an occasion for games, conversation and a relaxed meal.[2][3]
The usual picture is a picnic spread on a carpet, with food, fruit, nuts, drinks and sweets. In Gilān, a regional account describes rice, roasted meat and a local salad; those dishes are examples of regional practice, not a menu followed everywhere in Iran.[2][3]
Sabzeh, wishes and regional customs
A widely described custom is to take the sprouted sabzeh associated with the Nowruz display outdoors and discard it at the end of the outing. Encyclopaedia Iranica says families do this while wishing to avert mishaps; the Gilān folklore account describes throwing the wheat grass into a river or the sea to mark the end of a cycle.[2][3]
The Gilān account also records young people tying blades of grass while making wishes, including wishes related to finding a spouse or resolving personal difficulties. Customs and foods vary by region, so this example should not be taken as a universal Iranian practice.[3]
Practical effects for visitors
Because 13 Farvardin is an official national holiday, check opening hours with government offices and banks before you go.[1]
The central observance is outdoors. If you plan to join a picnic, check local access and transport information for your destination.[2][3]
Frequently asked questions
When is Sizdah Bedar?
Is Sizdah Bedar a public holiday in Iran?
Yes. Iran’s law on official holidays lists 13 Farvardin as an official national holiday.[1]
What do people do on Sizdah Bedar?
Sources and references
Sources used for Sizdah Bedar in Iran:
- لایحه قانونی تعیین تعطیلات رسمی کشور- Nezamat legal database
- NOWRUZ ii. In the Islamic Period- Encyclopaedia Iranica
- GILAN xvi. FOLKLORE- Encyclopaedia Iranica