Sizdah Bedar (سیزده بدر)

     Sizdah Bedar is the final day of the Nowruz festival.  The Nowruz festival lasts thirteen days and Sizdah Bedar is celebrated on that thirteenth day of Farvardin.  Sizdah (سیزده) means thirteen in Farsi, and Bedar (بدر) means "to get rid of."  Thirteen is seen as an unlucky number in ancient Persian culture and in Islam as well.  The idea behind "getting rid of the thirteen" is for the whole family to get out of the house and leave the evil spirits behind as they go out and enjoy nature.  Many of the cities are virtually empty on this day giving them that eerie peacefulness. 

     As families make their way into the countryside with their picnic baskets fully packed they are joyful and optimistic.  It is an extremely happy day of being outside with the family and making new friends.  Many families plan to go out with other families and it is common to have groups of hundreds of people getting together. The elder family members enjoy teaching younger family members about their Persian heritage, traditions, and culture.  When the kids get restless of listening to their grandparents ramble on about the good old days they love to fly kites, play soccer, and other games.  The elder men turn to their own games and love to challenge their minds with games of backgammon and chess.  

     Sizdah Bedar is also a day for wishful thinking.  It is customary to make wishes about the coming new year and the many challenges ahead.  Young girls enjoy knotting blades of grass symbolizing the wish to find that special someone and fall in love.  Traditionally girls will sing "Next Sizdah-Bedar, I hope to be in my husband’s home, and as a lady holding a baby" (In Farsi: Sizdah Bedar Saal-e Degar Khaaneh-ye Showhar Bacheh Beh Baghal) as they knot the blades of grass.  It is an excellent day to meet people and many girls wish for this day all year hoping they will meet a nice boy.  Many parents purposefully introduce their children to to other children in hope of arranging a love connection. 

          The highlight of the day is to throw the sabzeh (سبزه) from the Haftsin (هفت سین) table into the nearest lake or river.  During the twelve days of the Nowruz festival the sabzeh has been collecting all of the pain, suffering, and ill will that the coming year willl bring.  It is a ritual practice on Sizdah Bedar to bring this sabzeh with you on your trip to the countryside so you can get rid of it.  It is important to remember not to touch another's sabzeh as it it considered extremely bad luck.  It can bring all of that family's pain and suffering upon yourself.  

     Sizdah Bedar is becoming a more political holiday due to the actions of the current Iranian regime.  The current regime is trying to change the name "Sizdah Bedar" to "The Day of Nature" in order to de-emphasize its pre-Islamic origins.  This has many Persians outraged and causes some to mount protests on this day.  Protesting makes the current regime very nervous so the Basij are out in force on this day, which creates high tension between the government and regular people heading out to the countryside with their families.