Water Festival

Jashn-e Tirgan is a summer water festival celebrated in July, on the thirteenth day of the fourth month of the year on the Iranian calendar, called Tir. Tir refers to the archangel Tir, or Tishtar, “lightning bolt,” who appeared in the sky to create thunder and lightning, which announced the much-needed rain.

According to Iranian mythology, in legendary times, by mutual consent between Turan and Iran, Arash-e Kamangir shot his arrow over disputed land on the thirteenth day of the month of Tir to delineate their mutual border. The path of the arrow’s flight thus established peace between the two countries. Commemoration of rain falling over peaceful lands may be one of the most ancient origins of summer water festivals. In these festivals, people shower each other with water to symbolize rain and its purity and magical cleansing powers. This festival is still celebrated in some parts of Iran among Armenians and Zoroastrians, and there is much dancing, singing, eating, drinking, playing the tambourine, and reciting poetry. Spinach soup and beet shuly are associated with this day.