Yalda: A Night of Fire and Tradition

Yalda is one of the ancient Iranian celebrations, and the word “celebration” itself originates from the term “Yasan”, which refers to religious and ritual practices. Yalda symbolizes the birth of the sun. But the question arises: why should the blazing sun be born in the midst of the coldest season, and what is the connection between the birth of light and the darkest and longest night of the year?

A Symbol On Top Of The Qeysarie Gate

Sagittarius

On the Qeysarie Gate of Isfahan Bazaar, in the Naqsh-e Jahan Square, an image of a horse archer, formed as half human and half horse is patterned, on a mosaic tile in which the horseman with a bow in hand and arrow aims at his own tail which is a dragon with a fiery breath.

Naqshe Jahan Square

Burning Tobacco in the Naqshe Jahan Square

Isfahan was one of the first cities to outlaw the sales and usage of tobacco.

Original Isfahani Games

Chogan In Royal Square!

The Naqshe Jahan square, with its vast dimensions, was the best place to play Polo. In this game, two teams of six, mounted on horses, were to gain possession of the ball with their long rods with crooked heads, and shoot it into the other side’s goal.

A Brief History of Isfahan Painting:

Isfahan, the Cradle of Persian Painting

With the transfer of the country’s capital to Isfahan, the art of the city began to flourish, and many researchers believe that its pinnacle may be observed in the art of Persian painting, i.e. negargari or Persian miniature.

The Knowledge of Brewing Traditional Nooshabadi Coffee:

The Heritage Drink!

Coffee has been popular in Nooshabad since about 450 to 500 years ago; however, it is not known when Nooshabadi coffee and its modern brewing method was invented.

Traditional Skills of Building and Sailing Iranian Lenj Boats in the Persian Gulf:

The World’s Floating Heritage!

Iranian Lenj vessels are traditionally hand-built and are used by inhabitants of the northern coast of the Persian Gulf for sea journeys, trading, fishing and pearl diving.

The Skill of Making Poolaki and Nabat (Rock Candy):

Isfahan’s Sweet Souvenir

Nizami Ganjavi, the twelfth-century Persian poet, while narrating the story of Khosrow Parviz’s affection for his beloved, Shekar, compared this Isfahani maiden to the rock candy of Isfahan.

The Skill of Making Gaz (Persian Nougat):

A Feast for Your Sweet Tooth!

Gaz is a souvenir unique to Isfahan City and is also regarded as a nutritious and healthy confection due to its high nutritional value and special ingredients like angebin.

The Skill of Cooking Beryan:

Delicious Taste of Beryan

Beryan is one of the traditional foods of Isfahan, but its reputation has spread around the globe since the old days.

The Skill of Chickpea Processing in Khomeini Shahr:

Chickpea Souvenirs!

Chickpea seeds are naturally hard and inedible, but in a few steps, they are turned into a delicious snack called nokhodchi (processed chickpeas).

Ta'ziyeh Dramas of Khomeyni Shahr:

A Tragedy Series

The ta’ziyeh dramas of Khomeyni Shahr are among the most spectacular ta’ziyeh performances in Isfahan Province, especially for photographers and tourists.