All About Yalda Night:

A Celebration of Light and Togetherness

Yalda Night, the longest night of the year, holds a cherished place in our culture, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. This ancient tradition celebrates the moment when the sun begins to reclaim its dominance, heralding longer days and shorter nights. 

A Night of Togetherness and Joy

Yalda is synonymous with family gatherings. Loved ones come together to recite poetry, especially from Hafez, share stories, and enjoy seasonal treats. At the heart of every Yalda table are symbolic foods, like watermelon, whose red, sun-like hue brings warmth into homes. Decorations in shades of red, orange, and yellow—evoking the sun’s glow—add to the festive spirit, with red being the most beloved color of the night. 

The Ancient Beliefs behind Yalda

Yalda’s origins lie in ancient times when people revered the sun as a life-giving force. The absence of sunlight during long winter nights was feared, making Yalda an occasion to celebrate the sun’s eventual return. This night symbolized the victory of light over darkness, bringing with it renewed energy and hope for brighter days ahead.

• Dried Fruits: Raisins, dried mulberries, dates, and figs are sweet reminders of summer’s bounty. Their long shelf life and rich flavors make them a meaningful addition, representing gratitude for nature’s gifts. 

Yalda in Persian Literature

• The Shahnameh and Shab-e Cheleh

  Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh mentions Yalda through a connection to Ormazd (Hormozd I), a Sasanian ruler who embodied wisdom and justice. In his final reflections, Ormazd highlighted the transience of life and the importance of cherishing moments like Yalda:

  “The night of Ormazd arrived, the first of Dey,

  Cease speaking, raise your cup, and drink away.”

  This verse, referring to the start of the month of “Dey” in the Jalali calendar, captures the essence of Yalda: a time to pause, celebrate, and embrace joy. 

Hafez Readings: A Ritual of Reflection

A cornerstone of Yalda traditions is reading Hafez’s poetry. As families gather, someone makes a wish, and an elder opens Hafez’s divan to a random page. The chosen verse is seen as offering guidance or insight, deepening the night’s spiritual and emotional significance. 

Hafez’s profound words not only bring loved ones closer but also encourage introspection. The ritual embodies the idea that, just as dawn follows the longest night, clarity and hope follow life’s challenges. 

The Myth of Yalda Night

In ancient lore, the world was shrouded in endless darkness, ruled by Ahriman, the embodiment of evil. Amid this bleakness, a child named “Mehr” was born to Anahita in a hidden mountain cave. Mehr’s birth brought the first glimmer of light, defying Ahriman’s reign. As Mehr grew, he taught humanity to cultivate the earth, build homes, and spread kindness.  

On one Yalda Night, Mehr ascended to the heavens, his light becoming inseparable from the sun. Since then, Yalda has been celebrated as a victory of warmth and light over cold and darkness. Families wear red, eat red fruits, and drink red wine, honoring Mehr’s legacy and welcoming the dawn with joyous hearts. 

Yalda Night: A Celebration of Life’s Resilience

At its core, Yalda Night is a reminder of life’s cyclical nature of the inevitability of light following darkness, hope after despair. From the warmth of family gatherings to the symbolic foods and timeless poetry, Yalda invites us to pause, reflect, and celebrate life’s enduring beauty.  

Through centuries of change, Yalda’s message remains clear: no matter how long the night, the dawn always comes.