Autumn festival of Mithra on Mehr 16, celebrating harvest, gratitude, light, and friendship. Historically second only to Nowruz in importance.
Origin
Persian-Zoroastrian; celebration of day-month name coincidence in Mehr
Historical Context
Mehregan celebrates the autumn equinox and honors Mithra, the deity of covenant, light, and truth in Iranian traditions. The Mehr Yasht in the Avesta is dedicated to praising this deity. Pahlavi texts mention the importance of this festival during the Sassanid era. The worship of Mithra spread to the Roman Empire and became popular among Roman soldiers.
Traditions
Wearing New Clothes: People wore purple and white garments
Setting the Mehregan Table: A spread with autumn fruits and sweets
Gift Giving: People exchanged gifts
Applying Kohl: Putting kohl around eyes for beauty
Perfuming: Sprinkling perfume and rosewater
Reciting Avesta: Priests would recite Mehr Yasht prayers
Symbols & Meanings
Tuberose Flower: The symbolic flower of Mehregan
Purple Color: Symbol of royalty and love
Myrtle Branch: Symbol of immortality
Fire: Symbol of Mithra's light
Mirror: Symbol of truth and illumination
Autumn Fruits: Symbol of harvest and abundance
Traditional Foods
Pomegranate: The main fruit of Mehregan
Apple: Symbol of health
Grapes: Autumn harvest fruit
Quince: Fragrant autumn fruit
Sweets: Louz and Baklava
Kebab and meat stews
Greetings
Happy Mehregan
May the festival of Mehr be blessed for you
May your love increase
Fun Facts
Mehregan was as important as Nowruz during Achaemenid and Sassanid eras! The Roman 'Mithraic' festivals were borrowed from Iranian Mehregan. Interestingly, 'Mithra' is the root of both 'contract/covenant' and 'love' in Persian.
Related Events
Nowruz
Nowruz, the world's oldest celebration, marks the Persian New Year and the spring equinox. This festival symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, warmth over cold, and life over death. Celebrated continuously for over 3,000 years since the Achaemenid era, Nowruz is observed by more than 300 million people worldwide across Iran, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and diaspora communities. Its rituals—including Haft-Seen (and its predecessor Haft-Shin), Chaharshanbe Suri, Sizdah Bedar, spring cleaning, and family visits—all symbolize renewal of nature and the human spirit.
Nowruz-e Bozorg (Great Nowruz)
The Great Nowruz (Khordad Sal) falls on the 6th of Farvardin (Khordad day). In Zoroastrian tradition, this is the birthday of Zoroaster and the spiritual peak of Nowruz. Sassanid kings held public audiences on this day.
Sizdah Bedar
Nature Day marking the end of Nowruz holidays. Families picnic outdoors, tie sabzeh (greens), and enjoy communal games.
Rapithwin Festival
Rapithwin festival on the 3rd of Farvardin celebrates the return of warmth and light after winter. Rapithwin is the Yazata of noon and summer warmth who retreats underground during winter and returns with spring.