The Iranian wedding ceremony despite itslocal and regional variations, like many other rituals in the country goesback to the ancient Zoroastrian tradition. This was the religion of Iranbefore the advent of Islam 1400 years ago. Though the concepts and theoryof the marriage have changed drastically by Quran and Islamic traditions,the actual ceremonies have remained more or less the same.

For Iranians marriage is considered to bean event, which must be celebrated not quietly but with glory and distinction.It is the most conspicuous of all the rituals and must be celebrated inthe presence of an assembly, which can bear witness to the event. 

In the ancient times, the musicians playingat marriage gatherings used drums to announce the marriage to the peopleof the town or village. The group that gathered for the marriage was calledthe assembly for the queenly bride. Traditionally, both the bride and thebridegroom would dress in white with garlands of flower on their necks.The color white is a symbol of purity, innocence and faithfulness. Todaymost modern Iranians follow the European dress code and style. 

There are two stages to a marriage. Mostoften both take place on the same day, but occasionally there could besome time between the two. The first is called ‘Aghed’.
This is when the legal process takes place,both the parties and their guardian’s sign a marriage contract and a brideprice or ‘mahr’ is set to guarantee the financial well being of the bride.The second stage is the actual feasts and the celebrations, which traditionallylasts from 3 to 7 days.

The ceremony takes place in a specially decoratedroom with flowers and a beautiful and elaborately decorated spread on thefloor i.e. ‘Sofreh Aghed’. By custom the Aghed would normally take placeat the bride’s home or her close relatives. The bridegroom is the firstto take his seat in the room and the bride comes afterwards. The bridegroomalways sits on the right hand side of the bride. With Zoroastrians, theright side designates a place of respect.

The bride and the bridegroom have each amarriage witness. Usually older and married males are chosen amongst closerelations to stand as witnesses. The priest (Mula) or other males withrecognized authority i.e. a notary public perform the legal part of theceremony. This consists of preliminary blessings, questions to the witnesses,guardians, the marrying couple and finally the ceremony is solemnized byreciting verses from Quran, the Muslims’ holy book and signing of a legalmarriage contract.

After the preliminary blessings and a fewwords about the importance of the institution of marriage the priest confirmswith both the parents or guardians that they indeed wish to proceed withthe ceremony and there are no objections. Then the priest asks the mutualconsent of the couple. First the bridegroom is asked if he wishes to enterinto the marriage contract then the bride is asked the same question. Oncethe bride is asked if she agrees to the marriage, she pauses. The questionis repeated three times and it is only at the last time that she will sayyes. To make the bridegroom wait for the bride’s answer is to signify thatit is the husband who seeks the wife and is anxious to have her and notthe other way around.

During the service female relatives of thecouple (mainly the bride) hold over the couple’s head a fine scarf or otherdelicate fabrics like silk. Two different actions take place at the sametime. Two pieces of crystallized sugar shaped like cones are rubbed together,a symbolic act to sweeten the couple’s life together. In the second acttwo parts of the same fabric are sewn together with needle and thread.The ceremony is reminiscent of the ancient traditions. Zoroastrians todayhold over the grooms head a small tray on which two pieces of cloth (Kosti)are united together, with needle, thread, scissors, a raw egg, a pomegranateor apple, dried marjoram, and white sweetmeats, all covered by a greenkerchief. The symbolic act of sewing two parts together is uniting thecouple for the rest of their lives, a knot is tied that should not be brokenor separated.

Once the bride has said yes to the proposal,verses from Quran are read. Documents are signed, the amount of mahr isentered in the written document and the two are announced man and wife.The practice of setting up a bride price or mahr is becoming a ceremonialone for most modern couples. Etymologically meaning “price” or “ransom”,mahr is the money or other valuables, paid or promised to be paid to thebride by the groom or his family for the financial protection of the bridein case of a divorce. Once this is over, the couple will held their righthands together, will drink a sweet liquid or will taste some honey fora better and sweeter life.  

At this time the bride is showered by gifts,usually expensive jewelry and all she receives is hers and the husbandhas no right over the presents. Songs, jokes and merry-making gesturesand clapping of the hands, accompany the whole ceremony.  The elaboratelydecorated spread in front of the bride and groom contains several itemseach symbolizing a different aspect of the ancient religion.

Mirror and candles represent light and fire,two very important elements in the Zoroastrian religion. A specially bakedand decorated flatbread is to bring prosperous feasts. Gold representsprosperity. Honey and crystallized sugar to sweeten life. Esphand a popularincense is burnt. This item is used in many Zoroastrian religious ceremonies,rituals and purification rites. It is believed to keep the evil eye away.After the ceremony, there are lavish feasts, dancing, music and entertainers.There will be more parties given by close relatives and friends for thenext few weeks. The marriage ceremony marks the most significant ritualfor all Iranians specially the women.

                                                                  
By: Massoume Price

Massoume Price isa Social Anthropologist and Human Ecologist from London  University,Kings and University Colleges. She specializes in ancient  MesopotamianStudies. She currently lives in Canada. Works with a number of  Women'sorganizations and is a free lance writer.