What is Chaharshanbeh Suri?
Chaharshanbeh Suri is a popular festival that begins the eve of Nowruz (new year) in Persian culture. Taking place on the last Wednesday of the year, the name of the festival translates to “Red Wednesday”. This festival that takes place on the evening of March 18th every year is one that is rooted in Zoroastrian beliefs, culture, and tradition. The festival heavily emphasizes the use of fire, with Iranian citizens making bonfires to jump over, as a way to rid their bodies of the spirits of the year before, and begin the new year clean. They ask for health, happiness, and good fortune as they jump over the bonfires and welcome the new year. This is an ancient Zoroastrian tradition, as those that belonged in this religion and culture saw fire as an element of purity.