Today is the last Tuesday of the Persian calendar which means tonight Iranians all over the world will be celebrating Chaharshanbeh Souri, the Eve of the Last Wednesday of the year.

As I mentioned last year, this happens to be one of the most anticipated festivities leading up to the Persian New Year.  Small bonfires are set up for people to jump over the flames while reciting zardi-ye man az to, sorkhi-ye to az man, which loosely translated means “take my yellow and sickly color in exchange for your red color.”

This ritual is centuries old and is associated with Zoroastrianism.  The purpose of the phrase that is recited is to draw from the brightness and energy of the fire and release everything that is negative and sickly into the fire. The pictures above were taking last year at a house party.  It was so much fun!!

It is customary to eat Ajileh Chaharshanbeh Souri, which is a mix of various types of nuts and dried fruit, during this evening.

Where ever you are, I wish you a very happy Chaharshanbeh Souri! Please be safe and don’t burn yourself!! OK? I really don’t want to read about people being injured in my local paper the Daily Breeze again this year!!