{"id":48968,"date":"2023-01-05T06:33:47","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T06:33:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/?p=48968"},"modified":"2026-03-14T11:30:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T11:30:05","slug":"are-iranians-superstitious","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/are-iranians-superstitious\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Iranians Superstitious? Exploring Persian Beliefs and Traditions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Even though the young generation of Iranians tends to be less and less superstitious, any Iranian can tell you about the superstitions their parents or relatives have, leading to unavoidable and sometimes weird rituals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether it\u2019s about burning Esfand (incense) or spilling water, most of these beliefs revolve around the idea of bringing good or bad luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beliefs that have been around in Iran for centuries, and continue to be part of any Iranian family\u2019s life. If some old and local superstitions have faded away, many are still present in the ordinary life of Iranians, between cultural habits and true belief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The belief in the evil eye has ancient roots that can be traced back to Ancient Ugarit, a city in modern-day Syria that was destroyed during the late Bronze Age collapse circa 1180 BC and never rebuilt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The Evil (Or \u201cSalty\u201d) Eye<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the Persian culture, as is the case in many Middle Eastern cultures, there is a strong belief in the idea of the \u201cEvil Eye\u201d. The Evil Eye, or Salty Eye as it would be translated from Persian (\u201ccheshm shur\u201d) is when someone jinxes you. People who are for instance jealous of you and would curse you, bringing to you a series of misadventures. That\u2019s why when misfortune upon misfortune happens to someone, Iranians believe someone jinxed that person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategies To Avoid The Evil Eye<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To prevent being jinxed, Iranians usually avoid bragging about their own success or praising someone too much. Likewise, if they have any plans they want to achieve, they tend to be secretive about it. That\u2019s the reason why it\u2019s common in some cultures of Iran<\/a> to praise someone\u2019s beauty by saying how \u201cugly\u201d they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve spoken too fast and realized you may be jinxed, no worries, you can still correct your mistake! One trick is to bite your index finger or the area between your thumb and forefinger. That\u2019s supposed to prevent you from the evil eye. You can also knock wood, as it\u2019s observed in many other cultures. Note that contrary to Turkey, it\u2019s not so common in Iran to hang a blue eye on the walls as protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you\u2019ve said something that may bring the evil eye on you, someone may tell you: \u201czabuneto g\u00e2z begir\u201d (bite your tongue). You can then repeat two or three times \u201czabunam l\u00e2l\u201d (may my tongue be mute) to protect yourself. Likewise, it\u2019s common to hear \u201cdoor az joon\u201d (far from the soul) if someone talks about a potentially bad scenario as a way to prevent it from happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What To Do If You\u2019re The Victim Of The Evil Eye<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a doubt about the fact of being jinxed, there is a trick that consists in poking an egg while saying different names of persons you\u2019re suspecting to be responsible for the curse. Iranians believe that when the egg cracks after someone\u2019s name, it reveals that this person is the author of the curse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One common way to stop the curse is to make a sacrifice. That can be a sheep or a chicken. Burning Esfand, a kind of incense which are wild rue seeds, is however the most common (and harmless) practice. Burning Esfand can be done as a prevention or a cure according to Iranian belief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That tradition would come from the Zoroastrian practice. The seeds are placed in a small canister with coal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While burning, they make a popping noise; at that moment, Iranians may either say \u201cBetereke cheshme shur\u201d (may the evil eye explode), or send three \u201csalav\u00e2t\u201d, which are Islamic blessings in Arabic. Both the sayings and the smoke are believed to be protective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chaharshanbe Suri\u2019s Fire And Smashing Pot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first Nowruz<\/a> celebration takes place on the last Wednesday of the year (so, before new year\u2019s eve), which is called Chaharshambe suri (the red Wednesday). The central ritual of that day comes from an ancient Zoroastrian belief. It consists in jumping over a bonfire, while saying \u201cSorkhi-ye to az man, zardi-ye man az to\u201d (your redness be mine, my paleness be yours), as a purification ritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chaharshanbe
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The origins of this custom are not entirely clear, but it is believed to have both pre-Islamic Zoroastrian and Islamic influences. Some believe that jumping over fire<\/a> symbolizes purification and the renewal of the spirit, while others associate it with the Zoroastrian belief in the power of fire to ward off evil spirits and diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another superstition consists in smashing a pot after jumping over the fire. Present in many cultures, the belief behind smashing a pot is that your misfortunes are transferred to the pot, itself destroyed. Nowruz<\/a> rituals and beliefs may vary according to the regions and cities. In Tehran, for instance, people put coins into a jug, that they drop from their roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sizdah Bedar, The Outdoor Day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another important belief related to the Persian New Year takes place on the 13th<\/sup> and final day of Nowruz. That day is called Sizdah Bedar<\/a> and it is believed that you should spend it outside of the house, unless you will encounter bad luck for the rest of the year. That\u2019s why on Sizdah Bedar<\/a> most Iranians go out for a picnic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the traditions during Sizdah Bedar<\/a> is to tie the green sprouts of Sabzeh, which are grown for the Haft-Seen table at the start of the New Year, into knots and then release them into flowing water. It is believed that this act will bring good luck and help unmarried individuals find a partner in the coming year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sizdah-bedar is an iranian festival tradition<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On that day, they also get rid of the sprouted greens they\u2019ve grown during Nowruz. But that shouldn\u2019t be done haphazardly. Indeed, that sprouts are believed to absorb all the negativity and should only be thrown in moving water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, before doing so, another superstition exists. Iranians believe that young single people should knot the stems of the sprout before getting rid of it, as a good omen to finding a partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Superstitions For A Safe Journey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As shown by the ritual of getting rid of the sprouted greens, running water is an element that is perceived as pure and positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is the reason why, when travellers embark on a journey, it is common to throw water behind them, the moment they leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a way to protect them and ensure they have a safe journey. A similar thing is done (often both practices are combined) with the Quran: before going on its journey, the traveller kisses the Quran, which is then held over his\/her head so he\/she can pass under it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Other Iranian Beliefs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rituals related to Nowruz and the Evil Eye superstitions are among the strongest belief still nowadays in Iran. Other practices remain, but are taken less seriously. Among these beliefs, we can mention the fact of sneezing. Some believe that it is necessary for someone to stop all actions after sneezing. Iranians say \u201csabr \u00e2mad\u201d (patience came) and consider that if you don\u2019t wait before resuming what you were doing, that will bring bad luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another superstition, this time not related to good or bad luck, has to do with tea. Iranians believe that if any tea leaves float in your tea glass, it means that you will soon have guests. And the number of tea leaves indicates how many!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also many superstitions around weddings, which differ largely from one region to another. Yet, one common belief, both among Shia and Sunni Muslims in Iran, is that there should be no divorced person or widow in the room where the marriage is sealed. Otherwise, the marriage will fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Word<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Iranian culture, superstitions are more than just quirky traditions; they are deeply ingrained in everyday life, blending ancient beliefs with modern practices. While some customs have faded over time, many continue to shape behaviors and rituals, from guarding against the evil eye to observing specific practices during Nowruz. These beliefs provide a unique insight into the cultural fabric of Iran, reflecting the rich history and values of its people. Whether they are viewed as genuine fears or light-hearted traditions, these superstitions remain a vibrant part of Iranian culture, connecting generations and preserving a fascinating heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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