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Mehregan

There is a lot of symbolism to the Iranian Festival of Mehregan such as love (مهر), oaths and promise (پیمان). Mehregan decoration is in all colors of autumn; uses the colors of sun, yellow to orange to red as well as lavender. The festival of Mehregan was celebrated as grandiose as Nowruz itself.   Its beauty is eye catching and its symbolic meaning is no less powerful than Nowruz.

Mitra is the Archangel (yazata) of convenant, oaths, promise (پیمان) but also of love (عشق), friendship (دوستی) and wedding (ازدواج).  Mithra is the angel of ordeal by fire (walking through fire to prove innocence, story of Siavash in Shahnameh).

For the ancient Iranians Mihr symbolized truthfulness, bravery and courage. These attributes were re-enforced and venerated through prayers, rituals, feasts, celebrations and acts of charity.

The celebrations described by the historians and observers attest to the glory and significance of the occasion. Huge bon fires were set with feasts, songs, music, dancing and prayers. The festival gifts such as pure oil for the sanctuary lamps, candles and incense as well as ِِِEspand a local popular incense is burnt and sweet smelling flowers and herbs are dedicated to the fire temples.  The greatest observance is the lighting outside this temple of a huge fire just after the sunset.

Sofreh-e Mehregan:

• Set of 7 candles (هفت شمع) that represent the 7 Archangels (Amesha Spenta) and the 7th month of the year. (Mehregan is the 7th month of Iranian calendar).

• Fire holder/burner (َآفرینگان) is also part of the table setting for frankincense (كندر) and espand (اسپند) to be thrown on the flames.  Iranians were always the keepers and holders of the fire. (The fire in the Temple of Azargoshnasb burnt un-interrupted for thousands of years).

• Two identical sunflower (دو گل آفتاب گردون) arrangements on both sides of the table - One symbolized the sun and one the reflection of the sun- the earth and other kind of flowers symbolizing Mithra e.g. Lotus flower (نیلوفر، بنفشه، گل سرخ).

• Mirror (آینه) – for self-reflection of yourself, your words, thoughts and deeds in the past.

• Antimony cellar (سرمه دان)

• Red wine (شراب) – sign of cleansing and happiness. (Kings of Achaemenid Dynasty were only allowed to get drunk once a year when celebrating Mehregan).

• Water – the source of life (mixed with fresh marjoram  (مرزنگوش) for pleasant smelling).

 

• Seven fruits, such as: Oranges,
  White grapes, Red grapes, Pomegranate, Apples,
  Berries and small Pumpkins (كدو تنبل)

• Seven sweets and grains symbolizing the harvest and agriculture such as grains e.g. wheat (غلّه گندم), lentils (عدس), marjoram  (مرزنگوش), almonds (بادام), pistachios (پسته), senjed seeds (سنجد), sugar plum (نقل), rose water (گلاب) and Sharbet (شربت)

• Silver or gold coins – for prosperity

• Mehregan decoration is in all colors of autumn; uses the colors of sun, yellow to orange to red as well as lavender (بنفش كمرنگ).

• For this celebration, the participants wear new clothes and set the decorative, colorful table as described above.  The sides of the tablecloth are decorated with dry wild marjoram  (مرزنگوش).

At lunch time when the ceremony begins, everyone in the family stands in front of the mirror to pray.  Sharbet and wine is drunk and then as a good omen, antimony is rubbed around their eyes.  Handfuls of wild marjoram (مرزنگوش), senjed seeds (سنجد) and sugar plum (نقل) are thrown over each others heads while they embrace one another, music, dance and food must be also present. A burner is also part of the table setting for frankincense (كندر) and espand (اسپند) to be thrown on the flames and to pray.

Last but not least, Iranian festival is not about moaning. It is about enjoying the god-given life and enjoy it to the full extend as life is sacred. God has given us the life to be lived. If it was different God wouldn't have given us the life. No ascestism, No fastening, No mourning, No self-flagellation .  Having fun, dance, music and joy are the most important and sacred things in Mehregan festival. So that the sacred life is appreciated as God wanted it from us in first place.

 

History behind Mehregan

Mihragān was celebrated in an extravagant style at Persepolis. Not only was it the time for harvest, but it was also the time when the taxes were collected. Visitors from different parts of the empire brought gifts for the king all contributing to a lively festival. During Pre-Islamic and early Islamic Iran, Mehregan was celebrated with the same magnificence and pageantry as Nowruz. It was customary for people to send or give their king, and each other gifts. Rich people usually gave gold and silver coins, heroes and warriors gave horses while others gave gifts according to their ability, even an apple. Those fortunate enough, would help the poor with gifts. Gifts over ten thousand gold coins given to the royal court were registered.

At a later time, if the gift-giver needed money, the court would then return twice the gift amount. Kings gave two audiences a year; one audience at Nowruz and other at Mihragān. During the Mihragān celebrations, the king wore a fur robe and gave away all his summer clothes.

While Nowruz was celebrated as the spring equinox for celebrating the New Year, Mehregan was celebrated as ‘the feast of bringing in the crop’ or ‘home-coming feast’ at beginning of autumn.  It is celebrated for 6 days starting on the 16th of the seventh month (Mihr) at the time of the harvest festivals.  In ancient Avestan texts (the Iranians’ holy book) the festival was called ‘Mithrakana’ and means "belonging to Mithra".   Later on in Middle Persian (Pahlavi) the word transformed as Mitrah. 

It is also believed that sun’s first appearance, and Feraydon’s victory over Azydahak (Zahak in Shahnameh) happened on this day of Mehregan. Azydahak is a mythological king in Avesta who wants to destroy all humans and is defeated by the legendary prince, Feraydon who later becomes the king.

After the Mongol invasion of Iran, the feast celebration of Mihragān lost its popularity for unknown reasons. Yet Zoroastrians of Yazd and Kermān continued to celebrate Mihragān in an extravagant way until today.

In the recent years there has been a revival of this joyful and merry occasion both in Iran and outside and more Iranians are participating in this festival. Mehregan is having a comeback in the recent years and is already being re-celebrated among all Iranians once again.  Help us to revive this amazing ancient culture of us and pass this link to your friends and setup a little table as above to celebrate the festival that was being celebrated by your ancestors for 7000 years.

Source:
- Mihregan (Mehregan) By: Massoume Price