Yalda, the Longest Night of the Year

Yalda Night is one of the ancient Iranian festivals that is still celebrated in Iran. In this festival, the passing of the longest night of the year and the subsequent lengthening of days in the Northern Hemisphere—coinciding with the winter solstice—is honored.

Throughout history, Iranians have cherished the first day of the month of Dey (around December 21 or 22). Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh also refers to this day:

The night of Ormazd (the first day of the month, dedicated to Ormazd) came from the month of Dey

Refrain from speaking, and lift up the wine.

(Ferdowsi, 2007: Vol. 6, p. 260)

This celebration is known by various names such as Shab-e Chelleh (Night of Forty), Yalda, and others.

Abu Rayhan al-Biruni also mentioned Khorram-Ruz (the first day of Dey) as one of the most valued Iranian festivals. The great scholar wrote:

On this day, it was customary for the king to descend from his throne, dress in white garments, and sit on white carpets in the open field.

The king would converse with peasants and farmers, eat with them from the same table, and declare:

‘Today I am one of you; I am your brother, for the prosperity of the world depends on the work of your hands, and its order is preserved by the king. I, the king, shall be your brother, and together we will live like two kind brothers—just as the two noble brothers Hushang and Wiykard once did…’ (Al-Biruni, 2010: pp. 344–345).

Over thousands of years in the land of Iran—with the rise and fall of kings and dynasties, changes in rituals and religions, invasions of foreigners, and more—the tradition of honoring many Iranian festivals has endured, albeit with transformations. But what has ensured the survival of these ancient celebrations?

If these festivals were solely religious in nature, naturally they would have lost their significance once the people’s faith changed.

What stands out in Iranian festivals, alongside religious motives, is the role of the natural environment and mythology. Almost every Iranian celebration has both an ecological and a mythological dimension.

Magnificent events in nature, such as the coming of spring (Nowruz) or the longest night of the year (Yalda), have always been central to these observances.
At the same time, mythological themes—such as the era of Jamshid, the tale of Arash the Archer, or the story of Fereydun’s victory over Zahhak—are abundantly reflected in the sources.

Nature has always played a vital role in human life and in shaping the beliefs of different peoples. For the people of Iran, deeply connected to their environment, it was difficult to forget celebrations tied to their natural world.

Myths, too, have been crucial in preserving and transmitting ideas. Iranian mythology contains profound wisdom, often in harmony with innate human values. These myths embody a distinct Iranian philosophy, and Ferdowsi, the great sage of the world, also alluded to the mysterious nature of these tales (1).

In general, it seems that Iranian festivals have always served to connect humanity with two key elements: the human environment and Iranian wisdom. It is precisely these bonds that have ensured the endurance of these ancient traditions.