The term “Shab-e Cheleh,” synonymous with Yalda Night in Persian culture, comes from the ancient tradition of dividing winter into the “Great Cheleh” (the first 40 days of winter) and the “Small Cheleh” (the next 20 days). Yalda Night was officially included in the ancient Persian calendar during the reign of Darius I in 502 BC.
Yalda symbolizes the birth of Mithra, the goddess of light and sun, as the sun is reborn after the long, dark nights. The first day of Dey (winter) was a sacred day for ancient Persian sun-worshippers, marking the victory of light over darkness.
Saadi expresses this in a verse:
“The breeze of worldly comfort does not touch a wounded heart
The true dawn will not appear until Yalda’s night departs.”
Cafted and animated pixel by pixel on Adobe Photoshop in 330x330 pixel
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1980x1980 px
MP4
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2025