{"id":3851,"date":"2023-12-18T04:55:44","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T04:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/?p=3851"},"modified":"2024-04-07T05:35:47","modified_gmt":"2024-04-07T05:35:47","slug":"yalda-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/yalda-night\/","title":{"rendered":"Yalda Night Festival: Meaning, Food, Traditions, Date"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Yalda Night, one of the most important Iranian celebrations, has a rich historical legacy dating back millennia, long before the birth of Christ. Originating in an era when agriculture played a central role, the sun and its light symbolized prosperity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Iranians, along with some neighboring countries, celebrate Yalda as the longest night of the year and participate in festive gatherings. The celebrations and night-long festivities held across the country during this occasion constitute a time-honored tradition that not only retains its importance but has also gained a special place in the hearts of Iranians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Join us as we delve into the customs, fruits, sweets, nuts, and delicacies associated with <strong>Yalda Night<\/strong>, providing a closer look at this beautiful and ancient celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_72 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/yalda-night\/#Yalda_Night_History\" title=\"Yalda Night History\">Yalda Night History<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/yalda-night\/#How_Is_Yalda_Celebrated\" title=\"How Is Yalda Celebrated?\">How Is Yalda Celebrated?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/yalda-night\/#What_Is_the_Meaning_of_Yalda_Night\" title=\"What Is the Meaning of Yalda Night?\">What Is the Meaning of Yalda Night?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/yalda-night\/#Shab-e_Yalda_or_Shabe-e_Cheleh\" title=\"Shab-e Yalda or Shabe-e Cheleh\">Shab-e Yalda or Shabe-e Cheleh<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/yalda-night\/#Yalda_Night_Meaning\" title=\"Yalda Night Meaning\">Yalda Night Meaning<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/yalda-night\/#Yalda_Night_Traditions\" title=\"Yalda Night Traditions\">Yalda Night Traditions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/yalda-night\/#Fire_Gathering\" title=\"Fire Gathering\">Fire Gathering<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/yalda-night\/#Storytelling_on_Yalda_Night\" title=\"Storytelling on Yalda Night\">Storytelling on Yalda Night<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/yalda-night\/#Hafez_Fortune-Telling\" title=\"Hafez Fortune-Telling\">Hafez Fortune-Telling<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/yalda-night\/#Shahnameh_Reading\" title=\"Shahnameh Reading\">Shahnameh Reading<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/yalda-night\/#What_Do_Iranian_People_Do_on_Yalda_Night\" title=\"What Do Iranian People Do on Yalda Night?\">What Do Iranian People Do on Yalda Night?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/yalda-night\/#Yalda_Night_Fruits\" title=\"Yalda Night Fruits\">Yalda Night Fruits<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/yalda-night\/#Yalda_Night_Food\" title=\"Yalda Night Food\">Yalda Night Food<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/yalda-night\/#Final_Word\" title=\"Final Word\">Final Word<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Yalda_Night_History\"><\/span>Yalda Night History<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The history of Yalda Night goes back to ancient times, although its exact origins remain unclear. Some archaeologists believe Yalda Night has a history dating back seven thousand years, referencing pottery artifacts from the prehistoric era. These pottery items have animal motifs associated with Iranian months, such as goats and scorpions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While these motifs are scarce in inscriptions and archaeological findings, experts believe that traces of the Yalda Night ritual can be traced back to seven thousand years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the ancient roots, the official recognition of Yalda Night dates back approximately 500 years before Christ. Yalda was introduced into the official calendar of ancient Iranians during the reign of Darius the Great. This calendar was derived from the Babylonian and Egyptian calendrical systems, reflecting the cultural exchange of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Is_Yalda_Celebrated\"><\/span>How Is Yalda Celebrated?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yalda Night is celebrated in Iran with joyous gatherings and cherished traditions. Families and friends come together to mark the longest night of the year, and the festivities often include a special meal with dishes like herbed rice and fish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Persian-Yalda-Night-Celebration.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Persian-Yalda-Night-Celebration.webp\" alt=\"yalda night celebration\" class=\"wp-image-3862\" style=\"width:800px;height:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Persian-Yalda-Night-Celebration.webp 800w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Persian-Yalda-Night-Celebration-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Persian-Yalda-Night-Celebration-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Persian-Yalda-Night-Celebration-705x529.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Yalda Night, A Traditional Persian Celebration<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The centerpiece of the celebration is the colorful Yalda spread. Storytelling, poetry recitation, and Shahnameh readings add cultural depth to the evening and strengthen a sense of togetherness. Lighting candles and staying up late into the night are common practices, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yalda Night is a time for joy, reflection, and the sharing of warmth among loved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_the_Meaning_of_Yalda_Night\"><\/span>What Is the Meaning of Yalda Night?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yalda, derived from the Syriac word meaning &#8220;birth&#8221; or &#8220;nativity,&#8221; finds its linguistic roots in the Syriac language that was common among early Christians. This etymology is discovered through examination of dictionaries and historical texts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ab\u016b Ray\u1e25\u0101n al-B\u012br\u016bn\u012b, a polymath and calendar scholar, refers to Yalda Night as the &#8220;birth of the greater sun,&#8221; interpreting the name as the birth of the sun. His insights are documented in the book &#8220;\u0100th\u0101r al-B\u0101qiyah.&#8221; In this work, Ab\u016b Ray\u1e25\u0101n explores the calendars and festivities of various societies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the exact time and manner in which the term &#8220;Yalda&#8221; entered the Persian language remain unclear, historical records suggest that early Christians facing hardships in Rome migrated to Iran. Due to cultural proximity, the Syriac word found its way into Persian, becoming the term we use to refer to this ancient celebration today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shab-e_Yalda_or_Shabe-e_Cheleh\"><\/span>Shab-e Yalda or Shabe-e Cheleh<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The night of &#8220;Cheleh&#8221; is synonymous with Yalda Night. It is because, starting from the night of Yalda, the major winter period known as &#8220;Cheleh&#8221; begins and is referred to as the Cheleh night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In ancient times, Iranians followed a comprehensive calendar, especially relevant to agricultural and animal husbandry activities. They recognized two seasons called &#8220;Cheleh.&#8221; The summer Cheleh began from the month of Tir, and the winter Cheleh commenced from the month of Dey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each Cheleh was further divided into two periods: the major Cheleh and the minor Cheleh. The first forty days were considered the major Cheleh, followed by the next twenty days as the minor Cheleh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Pomegranate-of-Yalda-Night.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Pomegranate-of-Yalda-Night.webp\" alt=\"yalda night 2023\" class=\"wp-image-3861\" srcset=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Pomegranate-of-Yalda-Night.webp 800w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Pomegranate-of-Yalda-Night-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Pomegranate-of-Yalda-Night-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Pomegranate-of-Yalda-Night-705x529.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Pomegranate is one of the main elements of Yalda Night<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The major winter Cheleh, starting immediately after Yalda Night, marks the beginning of winter with extreme cold. It continues until the tenth day of Bahman. Next, the minor Cheleh starts and continues until the first day of Esfand. The cold during the minor Cheleh is less intense and causes less damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The last four days of the major Cheleh and the first four days of the minor Cheleh are known as &#8220;Char-Chaar,&#8221; representing the peak intensity of cold during this period. The last four days of major calamity and the first four days of minor calamity are known as &#8220;char chahar,&#8221; which indicates the peak of cold in this period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Yalda_Night_Meaning\"><\/span>Yalda Night Meaning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yalda Night, which is rooted in ancient traditions, has a deep significance for Iranians. The word &#8220;Yalda&#8221; itself, originating from Syriac, means &#8220;birth&#8221; or &#8220;nativity.&#8221; Yalda Night is believed to date back thousands of years. The celebration marks the longest night of the year, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Iranians and neighboring communities come together on this special night, engaging in festive gatherings that include storytelling, enjoying seasonal fruits, and partaking in age-old customs. Yalda Night serves as a cultural bridge connecting past and present when families and friends celebrate the warmth of being together and the hope for brighter days ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Yalda_Night_Traditions\"><\/span>Yalda Night Traditions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yalda Night traditions have remained relatively unchanged over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fire_Gathering\"><\/span>Fire Gathering<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In ancient times, people gathered around a fire. Nowadays, heaters warm the gathering instead. Fire used to symbolize the sun, and lighting it was a ritual to honor and preserve its warmth. Some also believed that the fire helped dispel the darkness and evil spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Storytelling_on_Yalda_Night\"><\/span>Storytelling on Yalda Night<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A tradition known as &#8220;Masal-Gooyi,&#8221; which was similar to poetry reading and storytelling, was a common practice in the past. Families would come together, and the elders would share stories. These stories often revolved around mythical creatures and beings, providing entertainment and delight for the children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hafez_Fortune-Telling\"><\/span>Hafez Fortune-Telling<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The poetry of Hafez holds a special place on Yalda Night and is often present on the festive table. Guests gather, express wishes for joy to Hafez&#8217;s spirit, and open his poetry to seek insights into their future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Yalda-Night-Hafez-Shirazi.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Yalda-Night-Hafez-Shirazi.webp\" alt=\"yalda night traditions\" class=\"wp-image-3868\" srcset=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Yalda-Night-Hafez-Shirazi.webp 800w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Yalda-Night-Hafez-Shirazi-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Yalda-Night-Hafez-Shirazi-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Yalda-Night-Hafez-Shirazi-705x529.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>A fun part of Yalda Night is Hafez&#8217;s Fortune-telling.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Considering that Hafez&#8217;s verses are known for their mystical, romantic, and hopeful content, these fortune-tellings usually uplift spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shahnameh_Reading\"><\/span>Shahnameh Reading<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An integral part of the Yalda night is reading the Shahnameh, the epic Persian Book of Kings. This tradition has deep roots in Iranian culture and is usually performed in a melodic, storytelling manner, enhancing the appeal of the epic tales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Do_Iranian_People_Do_on_Yalda_Night\"><\/span>What Do Iranian People Do on Yalda Night?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The customs and traditions of Yalda Night in Iran are different from other countries, as each nation&#8217;s residents organize their own celebrations and ceremonies based on their unique cultures and backgrounds. It is customary in Iran to prepare special dishes on Yalda Night, such as herbed rice and fish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, Yalda Ajil, a mix of four nuts including pistachios, almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts, is served alongside other treats, complemented by watermelon and pomegranate seeds on the colorful Yalda Night spread. These celebrations bring family and friends together and create a warm and happy atmosphere as Iranians celebrate the longest night of the year with these cherished culinary traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Yalda_Night_Fruits\"><\/span>Yalda Night Fruits<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fruits play a prominent role on the Yalda Night table, with a special emphasis on vibrant red-hued fruits symbolizing the sun. Pomegranate is considered as the main fruit for the Yalda night, and in ancient times, it was respected for its symbolism of fertility and abundance, drawn from its plentiful seeds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Its red color represents happiness and the sun, and consuming pomegranate on Yalda Night is believed to be linked to the magical influence of its spread. Watermelon, another fruit of the Yalda table, also has the same vibrant red hue, serving as a symbol of the sun and a reminder of the warmth of summer and its heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Yalda_Night_Food\"><\/span>Yalda Night Food<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most enchanting rituals of Yalda Night revolves around the festive table and its delectable offerings. The Yalda Night spread includes specific fruits, special nuts or <a href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/persian-trail-mix\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Persian Trail Mix<\/a> (known as &#8220;Ajil&#8221;), and various foods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/yalda-night-2023.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/yalda-night-2023.webp\" alt=\"yalda night food\" class=\"wp-image-3864\" srcset=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/yalda-night-2023.webp 800w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/yalda-night-2023-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/yalda-night-2023-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2023\/12\/yalda-night-2023-705x529.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Ajil or Mixed Nuts are a part of Yalda Night Food.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In ancient times, a Yalda table called &#8220;Mizd&#8221; was set on the night of Chelleh. They would arrange a variety of fresh and dried fruits, along with the traditional Ajil or &#8220;Lork,&#8221; which played a main role and was essentially considered the feast of the celebration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other components of this table included a container for fire (Aatishdan), a vessel for scents (Atardan), a container for seeds (Bokhordan), and a &#8220;Barsem,&#8221; a tool used for reciting prayers made from a specific plant branch or crafted from metals like brass and silver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Word\"><\/span>Final Word<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yalda Night, which is the peak of autumn and the beginning of winter, holds significance as the longest night and heralds the lengthening of days. Celebrated in Iran and Persian-speaking countries, the customs and traditions surrounding Yalda are observed with great enthusiasm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the time of the <a href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/achaemenid-empire\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Achaemenids<\/a>, Iranians have accepted Yalda Night, and its cultural richness has gone beyond Iran to countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, South Korea, Peru, Scotland, Russia, Africa, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a festive bridge between seasons, Yalda Night brings people together to cherish the warmth of companionship, enjoy special foods, and participate in age-old rituals, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you planning to travel to Iran and looking for an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Iran resort<\/a>? Consider Matinabad Eco-resort.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yalda Night, one of the most important Iranian celebrations, has a rich historical legacy dating back millennia, long before the birth of Christ. Originating in an era when agriculture played a central role, the sun and its light symbolized prosperity. Iranians, along with some neighboring countries, celebrate Yalda as the longest night of the year [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3865,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3851","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3851","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3851"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3851\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4524,"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3851\/revisions\/4524"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3851"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3851"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3851"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}