{"id":4024,"date":"2024-01-24T09:37:02","date_gmt":"2024-01-24T09:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/?p=4024"},"modified":"2025-04-20T09:54:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-20T09:54:54","slug":"sepandarmazgan-celebration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/sepandarmazgan-celebration\/","title":{"rendered":"Sepandarmazgan, Persian Love Day in Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Persian culture is full of wonders, from celebrating the New Year&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/nowruz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nowruz<\/a> and Rose water ceremonies to religious performances and other dashing rituals performed by the villagers living on the outskirts of the cities. <strong>Sepandarmazgan <\/strong>is an ancient Iranian day of women of the Zoroastrian religion dating back to the first Persian Empire around 2500 years ago, that is the <a href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/achaemenid-empire\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Achaemenid Empire<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This celebration is deeply rooted in tradition and love, similar to the famous Valentine\u2019s Day. This occasion, often referred to as &#8220;Esfandegan&#8221; in Persian, holds a significant place in the hearts of Iranians and those who cherish the rich Persian heritage.<\/p>\n\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\/sepandarmazgan-celebration\/#Sepandarmazgan_%E2%80%93_The_Persian_Lovers_Day\" title=\"Sepandarmazgan &#8211; The Persian Lovers Day\">Sepandarmazgan &#8211; The Persian Lovers Day<\/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\/sepandarmazgan-celebration\/#Things_People_Do_During_Sepandarmazgan\" title=\"Things People Do During Sepandarmazgan\">Things People Do During Sepandarmazgan<\/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\/sepandarmazgan-celebration\/#The_Unpopularity_of_Sepandarmazgan_Among_Iranians\" title=\"The Unpopularity of Sepandarmazgan Among Iranians\">The Unpopularity of Sepandarmazgan Among Iranians<\/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\/sepandarmazgan-celebration\/#Sepandarmazgan_History\" title=\"Sepandarmazgan History\">Sepandarmazgan History<\/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\/sepandarmazgan-celebration\/#Sepandarmazgan_Date_of_Celebration\" title=\"Sepandarmazgan Date of Celebration\">Sepandarmazgan Date of Celebration<\/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\/sepandarmazgan-celebration\/#What_Is_The_Meaning_of_Sepandarmazgan\" title=\"What Is The Meaning of Sepandarmazgan?\">What Is The Meaning of Sepandarmazgan?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/sepandarmazgan-celebration\/#Sepandarmazgan_Rituals\" title=\"Sepandarmazgan Rituals\">Sepandarmazgan Rituals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/sepandarmazgan-celebration\/#Final_Words\" title=\"Final Words\">Final Words<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sepandarmazgan_%E2%80%93_The_Persian_Lovers_Day\"><\/span>Sepandarmazgan &#8211; The Persian Lovers Day<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Iranian Lovers Day, or Sepandarmazgan, which is also known as Espandangan or Esfandangan, is a festive day that is similar to Valentine&#8217;s Day. However, this Persian celebration has a much older history than Valentine&#8217;s Day, and it was regarded as a meaningful day for the ancient Persians because they celebrated Sepandarmazgan to honor women and the earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women also honored this day and wore new clothes and shoes on it. Women who were kind and chaste, righteous and pious, and gave birth to good children were thanked and received gifts from their men. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the day of the Sepandarmazgan festival, women are exempted from daily and regular work at home and other activities, then, instead of them, men and boys of the family take over their current duties at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Things_People_Do_During_Sepandarmazgan\"><\/span>Things People Do During Sepandarmazgan<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>People engage in various customs and rituals, such as exchanging gifts and expressing love and gratitude towards mothers, sisters, and female friends. It&#8217;s a time for joyous gatherings and spreading positive energy, promoting unity and harmony among communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sepandarmazgan reflects the rich cultural heritage of Iran and shows the importance of love and connection in human relationships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On such days, Iranians usually buy candies, teddies, and everything shaped like a heart and gift it to each other. Most restaurants and coffee shops are very busy, and you can even see people selling hearted balloons on the streets. Even though there are some restrictions, the sweet feeling of emotion can be felt everywhere as you stroll around the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the past, it was said that the king would give away his summer clothes and replace them with winter clothing, and often people followed the tradition of buying something new to wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Unpopularity_of_Sepandarmazgan_Among_Iranians\"><\/span>The Unpopularity of Sepandarmazgan Among Iranians<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the years, this festival has been quite forgotten by the Iranians, however, through creating a superior culture to the current one in the coming years, it is hoped that the long-standing national and traditional festival of Sepandarmazgan will be revived back to the Persian culture by its people and accepted by them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sepandarmazgan_History\"><\/span>Sepandarmazgan History<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although these days, most Iranians celebrate Valentine&#8217;s Day as the symbol day of love, ancient ceremonies have been renewed, and many focus on bringing back the rich culture of ancient Persia. This festival is dedicated to love and the bonds between family and friends. Sepandarmazgan has roots in Zoroastrian traditions and is a day to honor women, emphasizing respect and appreciation for their role in society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Sepandarmazgan-celebration.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Sepandarmazgan-celebration.webp\" alt=\"Sepandarmazgan date\" class=\"wp-image-4029\" srcset=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Sepandarmazgan-celebration.webp 800w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Sepandarmazgan-celebration-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Sepandarmazgan-celebration-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Sepandarmazgan-celebration-705x529.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Sepandarmazgan, An Ancient Persian Celebration<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In ancient Iran, in addition to the names of the months, each of the days of the month also had a separate name of itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, the first day of every month is the day of \u201cOrmazd\u201d, the second day of every month is the day of Bahman (health, thought), which is the first attribute of God, the third day of every month, \u201cOrdibehesht\u201d, which means &#8220;the best truth and purity&#8221; which is again one of the attributes of God, the name for the fourth day of every month, \u201cShahrivar\u201d, means (royalty and ideal rulership) a trait of God, and the fifth day of every month was &#8220;Sepandarmaz&#8221;. Sepandar was the national title of the earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSepandarmaz\u201d means expanding, holy, and humble. Earth is the symbol of love because it loves everyone with humility, courtesy, and forgiveness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Earth looks at the ugly and the beautiful with the same eye and protects everyone like a caring mother in her loving lap. For this reason, in the ancient culture, Sepandarmazgan was considered a symbol of motherhood and fertility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Sepandarmazgan&#8221; is the day of women and earth. In the historical Persian stories, the deity Spandarmad protected the Earth, and she was a good, chaste, and beneficent wife who loved her husband.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sepandarmazgan_Date_of_Celebration\"><\/span>Sepandarmazgan Date of Celebration<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In recent years, many Iranians have taken steps to introduce Sepandarmazgan as a national replica of Valentine\u2019s Day, which is celebrated ten days after its Western edition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v9RIxk7ZmcE?si=n1WszzlCJuRXlcxM\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p>This beloved ancient <a href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/persian-festivals-celebrations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Persian festival<\/a> is celebrated on the 29th day of the month of Bahman, 11th month of the Iranian calendar, which usually corresponds to February 18th in the Gregorian calendar. This year, Sepandarmazgan 2026 will be on the 18th of February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_The_Meaning_of_Sepandarmazgan\"><\/span>What Is The Meaning of Sepandarmazgan?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sepandarmazgan is derived from two old Persian words: &#8220;Sepandar&#8221; and &#8220;Mazgan.&#8221; In this context, &#8220;Sepandar&#8221; is believed to be related to &#8220;Spenta Armaiti,&#8221; one of the Amesha Spentas in Zoroastrianism, representing the divine concept of Holy Devotion, Righteousness, and Earth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Mazgan&#8221; is associated with love and affection. Therefore, Sepandarmazgan can be interpreted as a celebration dedicated to love, devotion, and kindness, with a particular focus on honoring women and expressing appreciation for their roles in family and society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This ancient festival has cultural and historical significance, reflecting the values of respect, unity, and the importance of interpersonal connections in Persian tradition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Persian word &#8220;Esfand&#8221;: in today&#8217;s Persian language, it is derived from the Pahlavi word &#8220;Spandarmat&#8221; and the Avestan (Old Iranian languages) word &#8220;SpentaArmaiti&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sepandarmazgan_Rituals\"><\/span>Sepandarmazgan Rituals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sepandarmazgan is marked by various rituals and customs that emphasize love, respect, and appreciation, particularly directed towards women. Some common rituals associated with Sepandarmazgan include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Exchanging Gifts:<\/strong>&nbsp;People exchange gifts as a token of love and appreciation. It is common for individuals to give presents to their mothers, sisters, and female friends as a way of expressing gratitude and affection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Family Gatherings:<\/strong>&nbsp;Families come together to celebrate Sepandarmazgan, sharing a festive meal and enjoying each other&#8217;s company. The focus is on strengthening familial bonds and fostering a sense of unity. It is common to set up a sofreh (a cloth on the floor for dining) with traditional items and spend time around it with family.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Acts of Kindness:<\/strong>&nbsp;Individuals engage in acts of kindness and charity, emphasizing the importance of compassion and benevolence. This can involve helping those in need or contributing to community initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Persian-Love-Day.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Persian-Love-Day.webp\" alt=\"Persian Love Day\" class=\"wp-image-4033\" srcset=\"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Persian-Love-Day.webp 800w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Persian-Love-Day-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Persian-Love-Day-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/matcont\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Persian-Love-Day-705x529.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Persian Love Day in Iran<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Expressing Love:<\/strong>&nbsp;People take the opportunity to openly express their love and admiration for the women in their lives. This can be through verbal expressions, written notes, or other heartfelt gestures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wearing Traditional Attire:<\/strong>&nbsp;Some may choose to wear traditional Persian clothing as a way of connecting with their cultural heritage and adding a festive atmosphere to the celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Decorating Homes:<\/strong>&nbsp;Homes are often adorned with flowers and decorations, creating a joyful and vibrant ambiance. Flowers, in particular, symbolize beauty and are integral to the celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Visiting Elders:<\/strong>&nbsp;It is common for individuals to visit and spend time with elderly family members, showing respect and acknowledging their wisdom and experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Participating in Community Events:<\/strong>&nbsp;Various cultural and community events may take place, including performances, exhibitions, and gatherings that celebrate the spirit of Sepandarmazgan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These rituals collectively contribute to the festive and positive atmosphere of Sepandarmazgan, reinforcing the values of love, kindness, and familial bonds within the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Words\"><\/span>Final Words<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So, the next time you come upon the question: What is the most important love festival in Iran? You know it, it\u2019s the glorious day of Sepandarmazgan, the Persian Lovers Day. On this prized day, men give gifts to their wives. The men will have their women of the family on the royal throne and praise them, as well as offer them aesthetic gifts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This day was a reminder for men to honor their mothers and wives, and because the memory of this celebration lasted for a long time and was celebrated magnificently through generations, men were always reminded of this honor and respect for women. For the lovers out there, who celebrate their love for each other, happy Sepandarmazgan!<\/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>The Persian culture is full of wonders, from celebrating the New Year&#8217;s Nowruz and Rose water ceremonies to religious performances and other dashing rituals performed by the villagers living on the outskirts of the cities. Sepandarmazgan is an ancient Iranian day of women of the Zoroastrian religion dating back to the first Persian Empire around [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4027,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4024","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\/4024","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=4024"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4024\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5815,"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4024\/revisions\/5815"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4027"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4024"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4024"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matinabad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4024"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}