Shab-e Yalda - The Night of Births

Shab-e Yalda, meaning “ the Night of Births” is an ancient Persian celebration that takes place annually during the winter solstice, on December 20 or 21. The celebration is more than 5,000 years old, dating back to the pre-Zoroastrian era of Persia, and symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness. Millions of people all around the world celebrate Shab-e Yalda, primarily in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Central Asia, and the diaspora community. Although the celebration is secular, it began in the times of Zoroastrian Persia and the celebration is deeply rooted in Zoroastrian spiritual symbology. Today, not only Zorastrians, but Christians, Jews, Baha’is and Muslims celebrate Shab-e Yalda.

Families gather at the home of an elder on the night of Shab-e Yalda

In the ancient times of Great Iran, Aryan and Indo-Iranian tribal people relied on their calendar systems to help with their farming. Through their agricultural work, these ancient people noticed patterns with daylight and the effect different seasons had on their harvest. It was through these observations that a winter solstice was noticed, marking the beginning of longer days and prosperity. Great Iran during this time was Zorastrian, and the celebration represented the warding off of evil, as the longest night of the year was considered to be filled with cosmic danger and evil spirits. The shortening of nights and longer days represented the abating evil, and beginning of spiritual safety. During these times, families would stay awake until dawn on the night of Shab-e Yalda, building fires to protect the Ahura Mazda (the Lord of Wisdom) and assist the light in defeating the darkness.

In 502 BCE, by command of King Darius the Great, Shab-e Yalda was written into the royal Iranian calendar, recognizing it as a state holiday. Despite Persia being an Islamic country by this time, Shab-e Yalda, with its secular traditions endured, cementing it as a cornerstone of Persian cultural identity. Today, families all over the world get together on Shab-e Yalda, reading poems from the classical Shahnameh or Divan-e Hafez collection, eating traditional foods such as nuts, and red fruits watermelon or pomegranate (as they represent the glow of dawn), and stay up late at the homes of elders or grandparents. Despite the changes the region of Persia has seen over the past 5,000 years, Shab-e Yalda has stayed the same, and is a celebration that has helped preserve Persian identity through years of political transformations.