Seezdeh Beh Dar



New Year celebrations will go on for 13 days and will end on the 13th day known as �Seezdeh beh dar� which literally means; getting rid of the omen of the 13th day.At the last day of the festival the 13th of the first month Farvardin, it is the universal custom in Iran to pass as many hours as possible outdoors. All people leave their homes to go to the parks or local plains for a very festive picnic. It is a must to spend this day in nature and the occasion is called �Seezdeh be dar� (getting rid of the omen of the 13th day). It is generally believed that if people stay home something bad can happen.
This day was not celebrated in this manner before Islam and might be several rituals in one. It is possible that this day was devoted to the deity Tishtrya (Tir) protector of rain. In Zoroastrian calendar each day is named after a deity and this particular day in the month of Farvardin is named after Tishtrya. In the past there were outdoor festivities to pray to this Eyzad in hope of rain that was essential for agriculture.
Seezdah Beh Dar 82,Tehran
The act of throwing away the Sabzeh from Haft Sin into rivers and running waters on this day also indicates veneration for a water deity. The act symbolically represents an offering made to such a deity. It is also believed that unwed girls can wish for a husband by going into the fields and tying a knot between green shoots, symbolizing a marriage knot.
Iranians today regard this day as bad omen and believe that by going into the fields and parks they avoid the misfortunes that could befall on them. This notion is contrary to the Zoroastrian doctrine where all days were regarded as sacred and were named after venerated deities. According to Muslim�s popular belief the 13th day of the month is a day with unfortunate consequences (nahs in Islamic terminology), therefore Iranians could have combined the two. By going outdoors into the fields the ancient festivities were observed while the Islamic ideas are also incorporated into the occasion.
The day should be spent joyfully with no quarrels or bad feelings and all things unpleasant are avoided to make sure nothing bad will happen.
If we would like to have a good description of Seezdeh Beh Dar, we have to reveal the mystery of No ruz, when gets over by going outdoor to spend one day with nature.