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Yalda Night (Shab-e Yalda)
The longest night of the year — a Persian celebration of the triumph of light over darkness.
December 21
Why It Matters
Yalda ('birth') is the ancient Persian winter solstice celebration — the birth of Mithra, the sun god. Families gather all night to ensure the lonely sun is not abandoned. From this night, light grows stronger.
How It Is Observed
Families stay awake all night together, reading Hafez's poetry (Fal-e Hafez for prophecy), eating pomegranates (red = the crimson hue of dawn), watermelon, nuts, dried fruits.
Sacred Text
“The dark night, the fear of the waves, the terrible whirlpool — how could those on shore, with their light burdens, know our state?”
— Hafez, Divan ↗