Significance

Chaharshanbe Suri ('Red Wednesday') is the ancient fire festival celebrated on the last Tuesday evening before Nowruz. Bonfires are lit in the streets and people jump over them, chanting: 'Zardi-ye man az to, sorkhi-ye to az man' ('Give me your beautiful red color and take back my sickly pallor'). The fire purifies the jumper of the old year's accumulated ills. This is one of the oldest surviving pre-Islamic Iranian festivals, with roots in Zoroastrian purification theology.

Traditional observances

Build a bonfire (or light candles in a row) and jump over the flames
Chant: 'Give me your redness, take my yellowness' as you leap
Burn dried herbs (rue/espand) to ward off evil and purify the air
Break old pottery to symbolize shattering the old year's misfortunes
Gather with family and friends for feasting and celebration

Honored deities

Atar