Iranians consider the thirteenth of Farvardin, according to the first of April every year, as Nature Day, and on this day, they have a costume called “Sizdah Be Dar” (means,”Thirteen Outdoor”). This day is the last day of thirteen-day vacation of first of each solar year. On this day, Iranians come out of their homes according to a long tradition and spend this day outdoors, ie in parks or in nature outside the city. The atmosphere of urban parks and green spaces on this day is really spectacular. Crowds of families spread their rugs and mats on the lawns of the parks, eating, resting, playing, or laughing.
According to an old belief, the Iranians considered the number thirteen to be unlucky, and so they came to the heart of nature on the first day of the thirteenth of each year to get rid of the misfortune of that day. Of course, the people of Iran today do not adhere much to the old folk beliefs, but the custom of leaving the house on the 13th of Farvardin is still valid, and in the new culture of the Iranian people, that day is also called “Nature Day”.
On the “Sizdah Be Dar” day, the Iranians take with them the greens they have grown for the celebration of Nowruz and leave them in the heart of nature in order to get rid of filth and disease. Another ritual of “Sizdah Be Dar” is tying grass. The old Iranians believed that young girls would get married soon if they tied the grass on Sizdah Be Dar day.
