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Yalda Tree

Yalda night is the longest night of the year at the time of the winter solstice (December 20/21st ). In this night in ancient Persia, the evil forces of Ahriman were imagined to be at their peak. This night was also considered the birthday (nigh) of Mitra (or Mithra ) the ancient god (deity) of light/sun). Mitra’s birthday is a turning point, after which the days grow longer. It symbolized the triumph of Light and Goodness (Mitra ) over the powers of Darkness (Ahriman ). The tradition is friends and family gather together to eat, drink and read poetry (especially Hafez) until well after midnight. Fruits and nuts are eaten and pomegranates and watermelons are particularly significant.

There has been an ancient tradition of decorating an evergreen tree, such as Sarve (Cypress) for this night. Sarve being straight, upright, resilient and resistant to cold weather was thought to represent Mitra. The tree can be decorated with candles (symbol of fire, light, sun; all characteristics of Mitra ) , pomegranate as the old Persian symbol of soul’s immortality and perfection of nature . The younger girls had their “wishes” symbolically wrapped in colorful silk cloth and hung them on the tree as offerings to Mitra with an expectation, no doubt, that their prayers would be rewarded (1).

The current version of Yalda Tree can be decorated with Orb lamp (represent Mitra the god of sun), electrical candles, pomegranate and “Nabat “, Iranian candy cane. The Tree is surrounded by Yalda fruits and nuts , Hafez book and gifts for family members . Children can hang their gift requests to the tree, days before Yalda night, and their wishes may be granted by Mitra at the Yalda night in the form of gifts they can find around the tree at the Yalda

Modern version of Yalda Tree