Tirgan · Jashn-e Tirgan

/tiːr.ˈɡɒːn/

Culture of origin: Iranian · Ancient festival

Holiday sources: Iran · Mazandarani · Zoroastrianism

Tirgan is the midsummer name-day feast of Tishtrya (Tir), the yazata of life-bringing rain, linked with the star Sirius. Its legend tells of Arash the Archer, whose arrow, loosed on 13 Tir, fixed the border between Iran and Turan, after which rain fell and peace came. People splash water, recite poetry and eat spinach soup and sholezard, and children tie rainbow-coloured bands on their wrists, throwing them into a stream ten days later.