Jashn-e Sadeh is a luminous Zoroastrian festival that honours fire, warmth, and the triumph of light over darkness, celebrated 50 days before Nowruz, the Persian New Year. Its name, Sadeh, meaning “hundred,” refers to the hundred days and nights remaining until the end of winter and the arrival of spring. Falling in late January or early February, it is a festival not only of elemental reverence, but of deep cosmic symbolism, cultural memory, and spiritual resilience.
At the heart of Jashn-e Sadeh is the sacred fire—a central symbol in Zoroastrianism, representing divine wisdom (Asha), purity, and the ever-present light of creation. The fire is not worshipped, but venerated as the most visible sign of divine presence. In this festival, the kindling of a great bonfire becomes both a ritual act and a metaphysical affirmation: that light is victorious over the forces of chaos, cold, and ignorance.
The origins of Jashn-e Sadeh stretch back to pre-Islamic Persia, possibly to the Achaemenid era or earlier. It is associated with the mythic figure of King Hushang, who, according to legend, discovered fire by striking stones together. Upon witnessing the flames, he praised the divine and declared a day of celebration in honour of this powerful, life-giving element. This story is not merely folkloric—it expresses a worldview in which knowledge, ingenuity, and divine order are celebrated as sacred gifts.
Traditionally, the festival involves the gathering of dry wood and brush by the community, followed by a collective fire-lighting ceremony held at dusk. Priests in white robes recite Avesta prayers as the fire is lit, and participants encircle the blaze, offering prayers, singing, and invoking blessings. The fire is both a protector against the harshness of winter and a spiritual symbol of clarity and righteousness.
In the Zoroastrian worldview, the cosmos is a battleground between light and dark, truth and falsehood. Jashn-e Sadeh reminds the faithful of the continual need to choose the path of truth (Asha) and to be bearers of light in a world that can often seem veiled in shadow. It is a call to live ethically, to nurture wisdom, and to kindle the flame of goodness within.
Philosophically, Jashn-e Sadeh is not only about physical warmth, but spiritual awakening. The fire represents inner illumination—the kindling of consciousness that dispels confusion and guides the soul toward divine harmony. The communal aspect of the festival reflects the Zoroastrian emphasis on good thoughts, good words, and good deeds as a collective force for healing and balance.
Artistically, the festival is marked by a warm palette of flame colours, traditional music, and poetic recitations from the Shahnameh, the Persian epic that carries many echoes of ancient Zoroastrian lore. The sensory richness of fire, earth, smoke, and voice comes together to create an atmosphere both festive and sacred.
Jashn-e Sadeh is ultimately a celebration of elemental truth and moral clarity. It invites each soul to become a keeper of the flame—not only in ritual, but in daily life. In lighting the fire, the Zoroastrian faithful rekindle their commitment to live with purpose, to honour the divine in all things, and to keep the light burning through even the coldest of seasons.
