Traditions, customs you will only see in Iran – Part 1

To truly understand a country’s culture and people, it is imperative to have a basic understanding of their customs and traditions.

In Iran, there are plenty of customs that are as routine as drinking water for Iranians but they can leave a foreign traveler with a raised eyebrow.  

Read on to discover the cultural customs only Iranians will understand and you will find only in Iran.   

1) Soor Dadan or offering pastries

Soor Dadan (سور دادن) literally means to offer pastries or to throw a party or banquet; but it requires a bit more context.

Soor Dadan is a party Iranians throw in order to celebrate something they have bought that is valuable (like a house or car) or another big occasion like a graduation or landing a dream job or a big purchase. Iranians love to share the joy and they do not let you off easy until they get your soor.

Friends and family might tell you ‘Soor Dareh’ or ‘Shirinish-o key midi?’ (You have to throw a party or when are you going to give the sweets?). It does not necessarily have to be a party though. You could get some sweets or treat to dinner.  

With all that being said, treats in Iran are quite ordinary things and Iranians do not need a reason to organize tea parties with sweets in the company of friends. You might even walk into work one day to find a random box of sweets!  

Traditions, customs you will only see in Iran – Part 2

 2) Charitable deeds (Kheirat)  

Kheirat or charity is a way to send good vibes to the Other World. Iranians believe that the dead cannot do anything to make their lives better in the Other World. The best thing for a dead person is to be remembered by the living.

So, when someone dies, on different occasions, his/her family members or friends or anyone who knew them might give out food, drinks, or confectionary. In this way, the dead person knows he/she is remembered and feels happy and relieved.

If you walk down the streets in Iran, you might notice a random open box of sweets/dates/chocolates in front of a store. Iranians put these out for the public in honor of their loved ones who have passed away.

This usually happens on Thursday evenings (known as Shab-E Jomeh in Persian) because that is a particular time to pray for the deceased or to visit them at the cemetery.  

If you take one, you say a prayer for the deceased person. Of course, no one will know if you did or not and you will not know exactly who you’re praying for. However, that is the idea behind it that matters.

Kheirat is not limited to food. Many decide to do something bigger so that the goodness of the deed reaches the dead person in the Other World. So, it could range from offering free services (a ride, teaching something to people, fixing their stuff, etc) to building places (housing for the poor, schools, hospitals, etc).

Traditions, customs you will only see in Iran – Part 3

 3) Throwing water behind the traveler

Water holds a significant place in the Iranian culture. It is a common practice that when someone is to go on a trip, a friend or a family member throws water behind them to wish them a safe journey.  

In the Persian culture, pure flowing water symbolizes the light that shines on the travelers’ way so that they arrive at their destination safe and sound.

It is also common among Iranians that when someone is leaving for a journey, they prepare a tray that has a Quran and a glass of water. The traveler kisses and passes under the Quran three times for protection. Then as they leave, the remaining family members toss the water from the glass behind them.  

This concept of passing the holy Quran over your head is not just for travel. Family members also use to do it usually before their kids are to take a major exam.

Another thing you might see in Iran is suspending the holy Quran (or a picture of it) over ER doors in the hospitals so that when patients are rushed in, they roll right under it.

Traditions, customs you will only see in Iran – Part 4

4) Burning espand (seeds of harmala)

A very common practice not only in Iranian households but also in public is burning espand to ward off the evil eye. They are also believed to purify the air and to be beneficial for health.

The seeds are placed in a tin canister and heated over fire till they make a popping noise. While the seeds are burning and giving out their strong smell, Iranians say betereke cheshme hasoud (may jealous eyes explode) or cheshme hasoud kur (may jealous eyes be blind). At the same time, the canister is waved over the heads of the loved ones. Iranian mothers do this for their children after friends or acquaintances compliment them.

Espand is also generally burned from time to time in homes or any time an Iranian family moves into a new house as a sort of cleansing ritual to get rid of bad energy and protect the home. In these cases, it is common to send three salavat (an Arabic phrase often used after the name of the prophet of Islam which translates as God bless Mohammed and the people of Mohammed”.

Espand is also burned at weddings in which case the groom gives money to the person waving the smoke around. You will sometimes see people waving around espand on the street too.