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Mark your calendars for April 1, as we prepare to celebrate the joyous Persian tradition of Sizdah Be-dar! This holiday takes place on the 13th day of the Persian New Year, also known as Nowruz, and is steeped in rich history dating back thousands of years. Traditionally, families mark this day by spending time outdoors, enjoying nature's beauty and indulging in festive picnics. In fact, Sizdah Be-dar literally translates to 'getting rid of 13', and is regarded as a way to avoid misfortune and bad luck associated with the number 13. Let's rejoice in the spirit of togetherness, feast on delectable Persian cuisine, and say goodbye to the unluckiness of thirteen this Sizdah Be-dar!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>550 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of Persian Empire</div><div class='timeline-text'>Cyrus the Great established the Persian Empire, where traditions like Sizdah Be-dar were born and practiced.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>300 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Spread of Persian Culture</div><div class='timeline-text'>The celebrations of Sizdah Be-dar spread along with Persian culture to neighboring countries during this period.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>700 AD</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Influence of Islam</div><div class='timeline-text'>The conversion to Islam by Persians influenced the nature of Sizdah Be-dar, but did not prevent its continued practice.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Documented Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Travelers from the West documented Sizdah Be-dar celebrations, spreading awareness of this holiday to Europe and America.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1979</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Iranian Revolution</div><div class='timeline-text'>Despite political upheavals like the Iranian Revolution, Iranians worldwide continued to celebrate Sizdah Be-dar as a symbol of cultural heritage.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>With growing Persian diaspora communities worldwide, Sizdah Be-dar is recognized and celebrated in many parts of the world.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Picnic in the great outdoors</h3><p class='facts-text'>As is traditional on Sizdah Be-dar, pack up a picnic with your family and friends and head to your local park, beach, or even your own backyard! Bringing dishes like sabzi polo (herbed rice), grilled kebabs, and ash-e reshteh (noodle soup) will make the picnic even more authentic.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Return a sprouted sabzeh to nature</h3><p class='facts-text'>During Nowruz, it's common to grow a plate of sabzeh (wheat grass) as a symbol of new beginnings. On Sizdah Be-dar, tie the sabzeh and throw it into open water as part of the 'Getting Rid of Thirteen' tradition.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Celebrate with traditional games</h3><p class='facts-text'>Bring traditional Persian games like backgammon, chess, and marbles to your Sizdah Be-dar celebrations. It’s a great way to involve everyone and keep the festivities entertaining.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Learn and share Persian poetry</h3><p class='facts-text'>Persian culture is rich with poets and their wisdom-filled verses. Ahead of Sizdah Be-dar, learn a few poems from the likes of Rumi or Hafez and recite them as a part of your celebration.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Make a lucky knot for romance</h3><p class='facts-text'>Still single? Then this tradition is for you! Find a patch of grass, make 13 knots in it while keeping silent and make a wish. According to legend, this act will help hasten a marriage proposal.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Embraces Nature and Outdoor Activities</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Sizdah Be-dar presents a unique opportunity to not only embrace Persian tradition, but also to enjoy nature and the great outdoors. From picnicking in a beautiful locale to sprouting wheat grass as a symbol of new beginnings, the festivities are not just fun, but incredibly enriching.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Celebration of Persian Culture and Traditions </h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Sizdah Be-dar allows us to explore and appreciate Persian culture and traditions. Whether it's through preparing traditional dishes or playing classic Persian games, the holiday is a deep dive into a culture filled with rich history and customs.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>An Opportunity for Personal and Community Bonding</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Sizdah Be-dar isn't just a celebration, it's also a time for families and communities to come together. The collaborative effort in partaking in traditional practices, sharing dishes, and playing games, creates stronger bonds and builds unity.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Sizdah Bedar Marks The End of New Year Celebrations</h3><p class='facts-content'>Though Nowruz marks the beginning of the Persian New Year, it's only after the thirteenth day, Sizdah Bedar, that the celebrations formally end, marking it as a significant event in Persian tradition.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Serving Noodles is a Sizdah Bedar Tradition</h3><p class='facts-content'>To symbolize the unraveling of new adventures and good fortune, strands of noodles called 'reshteh' in Farsi, are traditionally served during Sizdah Bedar celebrations.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Sizdah Bedar Encourages Harmony with Nature</h3><p class='facts-content'>Sizdah Bedar promotes eco-friendly values and harmony with nature. The act of throwing the sprouted 'sabzeh' into a river or stream is seen as a way of returning it back to nature, reinforcing respect for natural resources.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>A Day for Folk Remedies and old Wives' Tales</h3><p class='facts-content'>On Sizdah Bedar, it is common for some to believe in and follow old folk remedies and wives' tales. For instance, the act of tying a knot in the 'sabzeh' is believed to ward off evil spirits or resolve sickness.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Sizdah Bedar is a Public Holiday in Iran</h3><p class='facts-content'>Due to its cultural importance, Sizdah Bedar is recognized as a public holiday in Iran. Families get together for picnics and games; even educational institutes and offices remain closed, emphasizing the importance given to this tradition across generations.</p></div></div>
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