Persians have dedicated to the importance of having a calendar system throughout history. They were one of the first cultures to create a solar calendar, favoring the solar approach as opposed to the lunar model.
The sun has always had a vital symbolic significance in Iranian culture.
What is this calendar based on?
The Solar Hijri calendar is a calendar that is based entirely on the Earth’s movement around the sun. The Gregorian calendar, on the other hand, follows a set of rules in order to stay in sync with the solar year.
Calendar for Afghanistan (Gregorian)
What is the history of the Iranian calendar?
The Solar Hijri calendar has been the official calendar of Iran since 1925.
Different calendar systems have been used in Persia throughout history (for example, the Zoroastrian calendar & Islamic calendar). The first version of the Solar Hijri calendar was created during the 11th century by a group of astronomers, one being the Persian scientist Omar Khayyam.
You can also read about the time zone of Iran
How does it work?
The Solar Hijri calendar produces a five-year leap year interval after about every seven four-year leap year intervals. It usually follows a 33-year subcycle with occasional interruptions by a single 29-year subcycle, or rarely a 37-year subcycle.
When did it begin?
It starts with the Islamic prophet Mohammed’s migration (Hegira or Hijrah) to Medina in 622 CE.
Iranian calendar – days of the week
In the Iranian calendar, begins on Saturday and ends on Friday.
Shanbeh (شنبه in Persian) = Saturday
Yekshanbeh (یکشنبه in Persian) = Sunday
Doshanbeh (دوشنبه in Persian) = Monday
Seshanbeh (سه شنبه in Persian) = Tuesday
Chaharshanbeh (چهارشنبه in Persian) = Wednesday
Panjshanbeh (پنجشنبه in Persian) = Thursday
Jom’eh (جمعه in Persian, originally Arabic) or Adineh (آدینه in Persian) = Friday
In most Islamic countries, Jom’eh is the holiday.
