The Red Wednesday

            Last Wednesday of the Persian calender before the new year is called "Char Shanbeh Soori" or The Red Wednesday (The Festival of Fire). Halloween –the Celtic Samhain- is the similar festival in western culture.

            In old Persian beliefs, the world is made by four major elements;
            Water, Wind, Sand, Fire

            In their belief fire is the holliest element and the most precious gift of God to human. It gives light and warmth and knowledge to life. It is powerful and protects human and also cleans the unclean. So they made holly temples _Atash Kadeh_ and set a fire place in it for donations and praying. After Islamic ages many of the Atash Kadehs were destroyed or their central fires got off but there are still some active Atash Kadeh in Iran which have protected their fires and kept them still alive for thousand years without letting them to go off for a minute.

            Char Shanbeh Soori, the favorit holiday of Iranian children is the eve of celebrating fire with lighting bonfires in public places. People leaping over the flames which means passing the old year and entering the new year , hoping to see the light through this dark unlucky night, wishing health and happiness for the coming year and shouting:

Give me your beautiful red color
And take back my sickly pallor!

            Traditionally, it is believed that the livings were visited by the spirits of their ancestors on the last Wednesday of the year. Many people especially children, wrap themselves in shrouds like ghosts. By the light of the bonfire, they run through the streets banging on pots and pans with spoons called "Ghashog Zani" and make noises to beat out the last unlucky Wednesday of the year, while they knock on doors to ask for chocolates and treats.

            "Fal Goush" is another ritual of Char Shanbeh Souri. Someone makes a wish and stands at the corner of an intersection , or on a terrace or behind a wall. That person will know his/her fortune when he/she overhears conversation of a passerby. It’s being done by single girls the most.

            "Haji Firouz / Pirouz" is the black faced character who is the traditional herald of the new year ( No-Rooz ) and begins to wander the streets and alleyways in his red costume weeks before the new year. The sound of his songs (singing that spring is in the air) and the sight of his dance is amusing and funny. Although the blackness of his skin has been the source of some racial controversy in Iranian intellectual circles, his intentions and spirit have always been well received and loved by the people.