Mid-winter fire festival celebrated 50 days before Nowruz. Large bonfires are lit to defeat the cold and celebrate fire and civilization.
Origin
Ancient Persian fire-centered festival
Historical Context
Sadeh is one of the oldest fire festivals in Iran. According to the Shahnameh, King Hushang of the Pishdadian dynasty threw a stone at a snake while hunting. The stone struck another rock, creating a spark that started a fire. He considered this divine light and celebrated that night. During the Sassanid era, this festival was grandly celebrated with priests bringing sacred fire from the fire temple.
Traditions
Lighting the Great Bonfire: Starting a fire in an open space
Gathering Around Fire: People gather around the flames
Reciting Ritual Hymns: Priests recite Avesta
Throwing Wood into Fire: Everyone contributes firewood
Dance and Music: Celebration and dancing around the fire
Prayers for Warmth: Wishing for the end of cold
Symbols & Meanings
Fire: Symbol of light, warmth, and victory over darkness
Firewood: Symbol of solidarity and participation
Smoke: Symbol of prayers ascending to heaven
Light in Darkness: Symbol of hope in difficulty
Number 100: Symbol of completeness and wholeness
Traditional Foods
Sadeh Ajil: Mixed nuts and dried fruits
Bread, Cheese, and Walnuts: Simple winter fare
Ash: Warm soup for the cold night
Dried Fruits: Figs, dates, raisins
Traditional Sweets: Halva and local pastries
Greetings
Happy Sadeh
May your fire always burn bright
Victorious Sadeh to you
Fun Facts
The name 'Sadeh' comes from the number 100: 50 days + 50 nights until Nowruz. According to Shahnameh, this festival commemorates the discovery of fire by King Hushang. Today, Zoroastrians in Iran, especially in Yazd and Kerman, celebrate by lighting large bonfires.
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.