The last Tuesday before the vernal equinox, or the eve of the last Wednesday of the year, is called Chaharshanbeh Suri.
Chaharshanbeh (also pronounced charshanbeh) means Wednesday. Suri has two meanings in Persian: one is (the color) "red" and the other is "festive." So the phrase could be literally translated "red Wednesday" or "festive Wednesday."
On this night, which in 2024 falls on March 12, people gather some brushwood and make a bonfire in an open area and, after sunset, jump over it while singing sorkhi-ye to az man, zardi-ye man az to, meaning "may your redness be mine and my paleness yours." This is the first festive event of the Nowruz celebration, during which people celebrate health, light, and purity over sickness, darkness, and impurity.
Jumping over the flames is the main part of the celebration. People also dance to music and, depending on the local tradition, the festivities may include other activities.
