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“Fire” as one of the four elements of the universe, has been regarded in Iran for many years. Two thousand five hundred years ago, my ancestor’s religion was Zoroastrian. As a result, “Fire” was sacred to them. Some think that they worshipped fire. But, this is totally false. This misunderstanding rises when people suppose the fire they were talking about is similar to the one we know. Fire had thoroughly different meaning for them. Fire is purifying, intellectual illuminating, enlightening through which God gives knowledge and courage.(1) Fire is just the symbol of light, warmth and energy, which resembles God. They knew that the Almighty is much greater than anybody can imagine and cannot be embody only fire. As such, “Fire” was only a symbol. And, they had three grades of sacred Fire: “Fire of justice”, “Fire of fires” and “fire of victory”. The sacred fire wasn’t used for cooking or smoking or any other daily usage. No one could spit on it. It was taken care very carefully in a Fire Temple. There is a Fire Temple in the center of Iran, Yazd, which has been burning for almost two thousand five hundred years without interruption.

Today, we respectfully trace this legacy. Last Tuesday of our Persian calendar is the time when we have Fire Festival celebrating what our ancestors left to us. Many weeks prior to the celebration, youths and teenagers are getting ready providing fireworks and burning materials. Usually this ceremony starts at 6 o’clock in the evening by making bonfires on the street. Every person should jump over the fire and sing a poem; my sickly yellow paleness is yours, your fiery red color is mine.(2) This means that I give the fire all my sorrow, problems, sickness and agony and instead, I receive warmth, light, wisdom, enlightening, and purification. Moreover, we do this in order to get ready for our upcoming New Year, which is on 21th of March. We want fire burns all the sorrow and problems so that in the New Year, we only have bliss, healthiness and light.

Last year, I could go to Iran and celebrate this night with my family, relatives and friends. I saw that our Fire Festival has changed dramatically. It has been so gorgeous and creative than ever before. I saw many radiating lanterns going to the sky brightening the darkness of the night. Despite the terrible news of Japan and heartbreaking scenes of Libya, I hope next year be full of wonderful news and surprises for all the people around the world. So, I would love to conclude this short note with one of the most beautiful prayers of my ancestors:

“Give me, O fire, lively welfare, lively maintenance, lively living, fullness of welfare, fullness of maintenance, fullness of life; Knowledge, sagacity, quickness of tongue, holiness of soul, a good memory, and the understanding that goes on growing and the understanding that is not acquired through learning...
Give me, O fire, however unworthy I am, now and forever, a seat in the bright, all-happy, blissful abode of the holy Ones. May I obtain the good reward, a good renown, and long cheerfulness for my soul."

My sources:
1-http://www.pyracantha.com/Z/atarsh.html
2-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaharshanbe_Suri