Persian Wedding Traditions: Extravagant Customs Still Followed Now
Persian wedding traditions are old enough that they can be traced all the way back to Zoroastrian times. Many elements in Persian wedding ceremonies follow age-old customs and rituals of the land. Even though times have changed, Iranians have held on to the ancient traditions of their Zoroastrian past in many aspects, and so some of these traditions are still alive and can be witnessed during Persian wedding ceremonies. Read on to find out more about the important rituals and symbolism seen through Persian wedding customs.
Traditional Persian Wedding: What Is It Like?
Persian Weddings are an extremely important part of Persian culture and tradition. They are celebrated auspiciously with family and friends. Almost all family members are invited to lavish celebrations consisting of merrymaking and feasting. Persian wedding ceremonies usually take place in front of large assemblies and are celebrated gloriously.
Historic Origin of Persian Weddings
Persian wedding customs date way back to Zoroastrian times. Zoroastrianism was the primary religion of pre-Islamic Iran. Many concepts and theories have been altered with the advent of Islamic traditions, but marriage traditions and ceremonies still hold on to the Zoroastrian cultural roots. Let's look at some of these traditions.
Khastegari: The Courtship
In Persian tradition, when the son would come of age, his family would take him to households of several eligible women. In Persian society, eligibility was important to both the man's and the woman's families. Eligibility would depend on factors such as the individuals' professions, community involvement, religious ideologies, and the wealth of the families.
After visiting households of potential women, the suitor's family would ask for the bride's family for her hand in marriage. This process is known as Khastegari.
Usually, the man's family takes bouquets while the woman's family offers tea, fruits, and sweets. Once the man and woman agree on follow-up visits, the man's family eventually brings larger Persian wedding gifts, such as bouquets and sweets in order to prepare the ground to officially pop the question.
Khastegari in Ancient and Modern Times
In ancient times, once the woman's family had given their consent to the marriage proposal, musicians played on large drums. This was done to announce the marriage to the residents of the village or town. The bridegroom would adorn white garlands around their necks during this celebration.
White garlands were worn because white symbolized faithfulness, innocence and purity. Even today, modern Iranians follow a white dress code. But this is in the form of the European style.
In modern times, once the man and woman decide they want to marry, they mutually start the Khastegari or courtship process. This is a one-time formality and gives both the families of the girl and boy a chance to formally meet each other and share their thoughts.
Baleh Boran: The Public Announcement of Marriage
The Baleh Boran is a ceremony that takes place after the formal proposal. This is a public announcement that both the man and woman have consented to the marriage and are happy with each other. This also implies the families have agreed to the union. In this ceremony, the groom's family usually provides Persian wedding gifts to the bride's family.
Baleh Boran in Ancient and Modern Times
In Zoroastrian times the groom's family used to convince the bride to accept the proposal during this ceremony and bought a Persian engagement ring as a gift.
The groom's family takes flowers, sweets, jewelry, and sometimes gold coins to the bride's house in modern times. There is a lavish party, and stone-less rings are exchanged since Persian engagement rings are mostly made of gold. During the Baleh Boran, mirrors and candelabras are also ceremonial objects taken to the bride's homes. These objects are reminiscent of Zoroastrian beliefs.
Hana Bandan: The Henna Night
The Henna Night is celebrated one day before the wedding ceremony. It can take place in either the groom's house or in the bride's house. However, the most usual place the Henna ceremony takes place is the bride's house and is a celebration amongst women.
In this ceremony, the bride is dressed with a veiled ornament placed over her head. Hymns and folk songs about henna are sung by the women, with the bride as the center of attention. Dry henna is also broken into copper or silver vessels and kneaded with water, forming a paste.
This is placed on a tray surrounded by candles and placed in the center of the room. Then the henna is placed on the bride's hand. What’s more, the bride also had gold coins put on her hands after the henna was drawn on her. Close friends and relatives of the bride dance and enjoy the celebrations till the early hours of the morning.
Aghd and Jashn-e-Arooshi: The Two-Stage Marriage Ceremony
Two vital stages of the Persian wedding ceremony now follow that can take place on the same day or there can also be a day or two that passes between them. Moreover, the first stage is called the 'Aghd' and it is the legal process of getting married. During ‘Aghd,’ both the bride and the groom sign the marriage contract and are married in the eyes of the law.
The second stage is the 'Jashn-e-Aroosi' or the wedding reception. The wedding reception consists of a multitude of feasts and celebrations that traditionally last from three to seven days.
The Aghd takes place in a beautifully decorated room adorned with flowers. Usually, there is an elaborate spread on the floor called the 'Sofreh-ye-Aghd'. In Persian wedding custom, the Sofreh ye Aghd is set upon the floor facing towards the east. This is because the east is the direction of sunlight.
So, when the bride and groom sit at the head of the Sofreh-ye-Aghd, they are facing 'the light.' In most cases, the Aghd would take place at the bride's or the bride's guardian’s home. Wedding guests arrive in the Aghd to witness the marriage and this is what formally initiates the wedding.
It’s also worth mentioning that the couple's close family is present in the room and welcomes the guests to their seats. After everyone is seated, the bridegroom enters the room and sits at the head of the Sofreh-ye-Aghd. The women of the groom's family hold a canopy above his head.
You must be wondering “where is the bride”.Well, she arrives a little later, as the tradition calls for it, and joins the groom at the Sofreh-ye-Aghd.
Notably, the groom is always seated on the right-hand side, even after the bride arrives. This is because, in Zoroastrian cultural tradition, the right side was considered to be a place of respect.
The Sofreh-ye-Aghd
The Backdrop
The backdrop for the Sofreh-ye-Aghd is usually passed from mother to daughter or mother to son. This is a spread made of luxurious cashmere and gold embroidered satin.
In accordance with Persian wedding customs, several items are placed on the Sofreh-ye-Aghd. One of them is a mirror called the 'Ayeeneh-ye-Bakht' and there are also two Candelabras. The candelabras represent the bride and groom themselves and indicate a bright future for them both.
The mirrors and candelabra are important symbols in Zoroastrian tradition as they symbolize light and fire.
Furthermore, when the bride enters the room and is seated at the Sofreh-ye-Aghd, she has a veil covering her face. As she sits, she lifts the veil, and the first thing the bridegroom sees is the reflection of his soon wife-to-be through the mirror.
Assortments Placed on the Sofreh-Ye-Aghd
1. Sini-ye Atel-o-Baatel: Tray With Seven Spices
The Sofreh-ye-Aghd spread is laden with various other assortments. A tray with seven specific herbs and spices is laid down called the 'Sini-ye Atel-o-Baatel.' The purpose of these herbs is to protect the couple from the evil eye, evil spirits, and witchcraft. Those seven spices laid down on the tray include poppy seeds, Black tea, Salt, Angelica, Wild Rice, Nigella Seeds, and Frankincense.
2. Naan Sangak: Flatbread
Flatbread called 'naan sangak' is also placed on the Sofreh-ye-Aghd. This flatbread is baked in a coal oven over coals and stone. The bread is usually in the shape of flowers and has the word 'mobarek' etched on it, which means congratulations. Moreover, this flatbread represents property for feasts and the life the couple will share.
In addition to naan sangak, there is also a tray laden with fresh herbs, feta cheese, and simple bread that the guests can share with each other.
3. Basket With Decorated Eggs and Nuts
A basket of decorated eggs and nuts is also placed on the Sofreh-ye-Aghd. These eggs are beaded and painted in gold with various designs. Nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts are also painted gold and are found in the basked. These extravagantly-painted items represent fertility.
4. Rock Candy Bowls
There are bowls made of crystallized sugar placed on the Sofreh-ye-Aghd. These bowls also contain crystalized sugar inside them, also known as rock candy. This represents the sweetness the couple will share together.
5. Fruit Basket
A basket of fruits is also placed on the spread. This basket usually consists of Anar (Pomegranates) or Saeb (Apples), depending on which fruit is available in season. It’s noteworthy to mention that these particular fruits represent a joyous and productive future for the couple.
6. Bowl of Gold Coins
A bowl full of gold coins is also placed on the spread. Naturally, the gold coins represent financial prosperity for the couple.
7. Esfand and Casting Away The Evil Eye
When the bride enters the room, an individual walks in front of the bride holding incent. This incent is called Esfand. Esfand is a vital part of Persian wedding customs. It has been used in Iranian culture for thousands of years to ward off the Evil eye. The concept of the evil eye is prevalent throughout the Middle East. This refers to negative energy given off by people due to envy of someone else's success. Burning Esfand is to ward off the evil eye so that it does not cause harm.
8. Canopy Ritual
As the bride and groom are seated, a canopy is held over their heads by traditional family members. In Zoroastrian times, this canopy was mostly green, but in modern times it is mostly white to blend in with the Western culture.
As the marriage ceremony is taking place, members from the bride and groom's side grind two sugar cones over the canopy as the sugar granules fall over the canopy. This ritual symbolizes sweetness in the couple's life.
9. Flowers
An assortment of flowers is placed on the Sofreh-e-Aghd as well. These flowers symbolize beauty, life, and spring.
10. Rosewater
Rosewater is sprinkled in the air during the ceremony. It is used as perfume and is also used in cooking. Rosewater is an integral part of Persian wedding customs.
11. Significant Religious Books
At times, religious books of significance are also placed on the Sofreh-ye-Aghd. For Christian couples, it is the bible, and for Muslim couples, it is the Quran. Some couples also use books of poetry to place on the spread. During the Zoroastrian times, the 'Avesta' or the traditional Zoroastrian holy book was used.
Jashn-e-Aroosi
Once the marriage ceremony is over, it is followed by the Jashn-e-Aroosi or the wedding festivities. These festivities include feasting, dancing, and various forms of entertainment. The couple attends parties given in their honor.
The first party, in particular, is called 'Pogoshi,' which means 'the clearing of the path'.
Persian Wedding Attire
Today Persian brides wear western-style white dresses, and grooms usually wear tuxedos. Female guests usually adorn formal evening gowns, and male guests dress in formal suits, just like in western wedding ceremonies.
Modern Persian wedding ceremonies may resemble western weddings in terms of the Persian wedding dress and Persian wedding ring. But these weddings are imbued with multiple uniquely Iranian elements, as discussed above.
Key Takeaways
These are some Persian wedding customs that are followed during a Persian wedding ceremony. Isn't it fascinating how distinct and unique some of these traditions are? Indeed it is, therefore here is a summary of what we discussed in our article about Persian wedding traditions so you don’t forget:
● Persian weddings are quite family-oriented. In older times, the groom's family asked the bride's family for the girl's hand in marriage
● In modern times, even if the couple has been dating, the families officially meet in a ceremony called the Khastegari. Even now, parents' consent is important
● Traditional Persian weddings hold on to many age-old Zoroastrian wedding traditions. These traditions can be seen in the form of customs and rituals
● Persian weddings are extremely lavish and consist of many different steps
● The Baleh Boran is the official announcement of the couple's wedding. The groom's family gives lavish gifts to the bride and the bride's family
● Henna Night is usually celebrated amongst the women of both families. It is a night of singing, dancing, and applying henna
● Persian wedding ceremonies consist of two phases: the Aghd and the Jashn-e-Aroosi
● The Aghd is when the wedding contract is signed, and the couple is legally married. It consists of a lavish spread and is attended by close family members
● The Jashn-e-Aroosi is the celebration followed after the Aghd. The celebrations can go on for multiple days, and parties are held in the couple's honor.
Clearly, you must have understood by now that most Persian wedding traditions have managed to stand the test of time and still take place in many modern Iranian weddings.
