I think one of my favorite things about Portland is the late 19th- and early 20th-century buildings downtown. I love the way they're lit up in this picture.
Yes Dina, this will be the first time. We do not celebrate Christmas in Iran. We have our own holidays and events. For example, there is an ancient Persian festival on December 20. Winter Feast or Yalda Night is an ancient Iranian festival originally celebrated on the Northern Hemisphere's longest night of the year, that is, on the eve of the Winter Solstice. The winter solstice occurs at the instant when the Sun's position in the sky is at its greatest angular distance on the other side of the equatorial plane from the observer. The Winter Solstice occurs on December 20 or 21 each year. The seasonal significance of the winter solstice is in the reversal of the gradually lengthening nights and shortening days.
Yalda is the most important non-new-year Iranian festival that comes back to the 2nd millennium BC. According to Persian mythology, Mitra, the Godess of love, was born at the end of this night after the long-expected defeat of darkness against light.
There are many non-religious people in my area that celebrate the solstice with rituals, or with nothing but, perhaps, a solstice greeting card instead of a Christmas greeting card. I didn't know Iranians had any special observance of it.
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Hi Meead. Will this be your first time to see Christmas?
This is a spectacular night shot! I love the glowing streetlamps -- almost as festive as Christmas lights.
I think one of my favorite things about Portland is the late 19th- and early 20th-century buildings downtown. I love the way they're lit up in this picture.
Thanks Dina, Laurie and Perea.
Yes Dina, this will be the first time. We do not celebrate Christmas in Iran. We have our own holidays and events. For example, there is an ancient Persian festival on December 20. Winter Feast or Yalda Night is an ancient Iranian festival originally celebrated on the Northern Hemisphere's longest night of the year, that is, on the eve of the Winter Solstice. The winter solstice occurs at the instant when the Sun's position in the sky is at its greatest angular distance on the other side of the equatorial plane from the observer. The Winter Solstice occurs on December 20 or 21 each year. The seasonal significance of the winter solstice is in the reversal of the gradually lengthening nights and shortening days.
Yalda is the most important non-new-year Iranian festival that comes back to the 2nd millennium BC. According to Persian mythology, Mitra, the Godess of love, was born at the end of this night after the long-expected defeat of darkness against light.
There are many non-religious people in my area that celebrate the solstice with rituals, or with nothing but, perhaps, a solstice greeting card instead of a Christmas greeting card. I didn't know Iranians had any special observance of it.
The birthday of the Godess of Love! Sounds like a good cause for celebration. Happy Yalda (soon).
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