Sizdah Bedar

No Ruz ceremonies end on the thirteenth day of the first month of the new year with the Sizdah Bedar (sizdar means thirteen and tanslates into English as “getting rid of thirteen”). This symbolizes the will and power to deal with evil in the new year. The people of the towns and villages spend the day out in the country enjoying the spring weather, playing games, and celebrating the new season. They bring the sabzeh and the other cinns, worries and concerns of the past and toss them in running water. Then the new year begins with a fresh slate on the fourteenth of the month.

Sometimes the sabzeh is planted instead. It is customary that no one touches another’s sabzeh on that day so that the other’s hardships or pain is not absorbed. Also, girls close to marrying age and unmarried women often tie the sabzeh blades and say, “"sal-i digar, khane-i showhar, bachcheh dar baghal!” (“Let next year find me in my husband's house with a baby in my arms!”) The knotting of the blades represents the bonding of a man and a woman. Newlyweds will also tie knots in the blades in hopes for a baby, new house or other things they might want or need.

After Sizdah Bedar, the people will return to their normal activites, school resumes, and businesses go back to their regular hours.

This was also considered to be a special day to ask for rain. Every day had its own name in ancient Iran and also corresponded to a specific angel. The thirteenth of Farvardin belonged to the angel of rain whom is depicted as a horse.