Sadeh

Sadeh is the midwinter festival to celebrate the discovery of fire.

Hushang discovered fire when he threw a piece of Flint at a snake, “Their two eyes like bowls of blood affixed to their head, with smoke billowing from their mouth, darkening the world.” The flint glanced off and struck iron, creating a spark. That night Hushang created a giant bonfire to give thanks for this gift, and he and his companions circumambulated it all night, giving us the ceremony of Sadeh, still celebrated today.

In fact, as the festival, being held mid winter, focusses on driving off darkness, cold, and frost, it has become one of the most important annual rituals.