Yalda
A night to respect the light
By Mahdi Rokni
Guest Contributor
There is no man who has been in Iran and did not experience gathering together and enjoying the moment ; memorable memories are inextricably linked to being together in Persian language countries . There are several reasons and ceremonies in different countries that gather people together such as New Year holiday , Christmas , Thanksgiving and Halloween . However , the reason of yearly ceremonies in Persian lands is slightly different . Astronomy has a great key role in these ceremonies . All the scientific facts about Earth rotation around the Sun and its movements that surprised astronomers have been a main reason of Persians ’ ancient celebrations . In Persian lands , Yalda night or Cheleh night is an ancient Persian ceremony based on Earth ’ s position at winter solstice . In winter solstice Earth places in the most southerly declination
COURTESY
Watermelon and pomegranate are symbols of the sun because of their red color and they are inseparable parts of Yalda celebrations .
( -23.4 °) to the celestial equator . By winter solstice , winter and summer begin in northern and southern hemispheres of Earth . This interesting symmetry results in two completely different and contradictory season in both hemispheres . The farther you are away from the equator the night
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