The Persian calendar, also known as the Iranian calendar, is a solar calendar used in Iran and other countries with a significant Persian population. The Persian calendar has 12 months, each with a unique name and association.
Here are the names of the Persian months and some facts about each:
- Farvardin: Named after the guardian angel of the earth, Farvardin is the first month of the Persian calendar and is associated with the spring equinox.
- Ordibehesht: Named after the Avestan word for “four sacred beings,” Ordibehesht is the second month of the Persian calendar and is associated with the goddess of love and beauty.
- Khordad: Named after the god of goodness and kindness, Khordad is the third month of the Persian calendar and is associated with the summer solstice.
- Tir: Named after the god of justice and wisdom, Tir is the fourth month of the Persian calendar and is associated with the harvest.
- Mordad: Named after the god of death and the underworld, Mordad is the fifth month of the Persian calendar and is associated with the mid-summer.
- Shahrivar: Named after the god of fire and the sun, Shahrivar is the sixth month of the Persian calendar and is associated with the autumn equinox.
- Mehr: Named after the goddess of love, Mehr is the seventh month of the Persian calendar and is associated with the harvest.
- Aban: Named after the Avestan word for “water,” Aban is the eighth month of the Persian calendar and is associated with the rains.
- Azar: Named after the god of fire and the sun, Azar is the ninth month of the Persian calendar and is associated with the winter solstice.
- Dey: Named after the god of the day, Dey is the tenth month of the Persian calendar and is associated with the beginning of winter.
- Bahman: Named after the god of wisdom, Bahman is the eleventh month of the Persian calendar and is associated with the New Year.
- Esfand: Named after the god of the underworld, Esfand is the twelfth month of the Persian calendar and is associated with the end of the year and the renewal of nature.
These months and their associations reflect the cultural and religious influences of the ancient Persian people, and are still used today in Iran and other countries with a significant Persian population. The Persian calendar is based on the solar year and is used to determine the dates of important festivals and holidays, such as Nowruz, the Persian New Year.