Persian Months (Solar Hijri): Names, Meanings, Pronunciation & Key Holidays
The Persian calendar—also called the Solar Hijri calendar—is one of the most precise solar calendars in use. Below you’ll find how it works, month names with meanings and pronunciation, a comparison to the Gregorian calendar, and the most celebrated Iranian holidays.
General Overview of the Persian Calendar
- Solar Calendar: It tracks the sun’s position and aligns closely with the astronomical seasons.
- New Year (Nowruz): Day 1 of فروردین (Farvardin) begins at the vernal equinox (around March 20–21).
- Year End: The year ends at the close of winter (اسفند, Esfand, 29 or 30 days depending on leap year).
- Everyday Use: In Iran, the Solar Hijri calendar is the standard for official and daily life.
If you live in Iran or work with Iranian businesses, keep a Persian calendar handy—it’s synced with nature’s rhythm and local holidays.
Useful Links
Pronunciation of Persian Seasons
بهار — Bahār (Spring)
تابستان — Tabestān (Summer)
پاییز — Pāyiz (Autumn/Fall)
زمستان — Zemestān (Winter)
Comparison Table: Persian Calendar vs. Gregorian Calendar
| Persian Month | نام فارسی | Transcription | Approx. Gregorian Dates | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farvardin | فروردین | Farvardin | ~ Mar 21 – Apr 20 | Nowruz (New Year) on 1 Farvardin; Sizdah Bedar on 13 Farvardin |
| Ordibehesht | اردیبهشت | Ordibehesht | ~ Apr 21 – May 21 | From Zoroastrian “Asha Vahishta” (Best Truth) |
| Khordad | خرداد | Khordād | ~ May 22 – Jun 21 | “Haurvatat” (Wholeness); end of school year |
| Tir | تیر | Tir | ~ Jun 22 – Jul 22 | Linked to Tishtrya (rains, fertility) |
| Amordad | اَمُرداد | Amordād | ~ Jul 23 – Aug 22 | “A-mordād” = immortality (see why not “Mordad”) |
| Shahrivar | شهریور | Shahrivar | ~ Aug 23 – Sep 22 | “Desirable dominion” (Kshathra Vairya) |
| Mehr | مهر | Mehr | ~ Sep 23 – Oct 22 | Start of school year; associated with Mehregān |
| Aban | آبان | Ābān | ~ Oct 23 – Nov 21 | “Waters” (Anāhitā) |
| Azar | آذر | Āzar | ~ Nov 22 – Dec 21 | “Fire”; Yaldā Night on the last night of Āzar |
| Dey | دی | Dey | ~ Dec 22 – Jan 20 | From “Dadvah” (creator) |
| Bahman | بهمن | Bahman | ~ Jan 21 – Feb 19 | “Good mind / good purpose” |
| Esfand | اسفند | Esfand | ~ Feb 20 – Mar 20 | Chahārshanbe Suri & Khāneh Tekāni |
Dates vary by year because Nowruz begins at the exact astronomical equinox.
Key Events & Activities
- Nowruz (1 Farvardin): New Year launches spring festivities.
- Sizdah Bedar (13 Farvardin): Outdoor picnics mark the close of Nowruz holidays.
- Mehregān (Mehr): Ancient festival of friendship, love, and light (linked to Mithra).
- Yaldā (last night of Āzar): Longest night of the year—poetry, pomegranates, and gatherings.
- Chahārshanbe Suri (last Wed. night of Esfand): Jumping over bonfires for renewal.
- Khāneh Tekāni (Esfand): Deep spring cleaning to welcome the New Year.
Persian Months & Their Meanings
Farvardin (فروردین)
Month 1. Spring begins, Nowruz on day 1; Sizdah Bedar on day 13. Renewal, growth, fresh starts.
Ordibehesht (اردیبهشت)
Month 2. From Zoroastrian “Asha Vahishta” — “Best Truth.” Represents harmony and perfection in nature.
Khordad (خرداد)
Month 3. From “Haurvatat” — wholeness/health. Associated with water, plants, prosperity.
Tir (تیر)
Month 4. Linked to Tishtrya (rains and fertility). “Tir” also means “arrow.”
Amordad (اَمُرداد)
Month 5. From “a-mordād” — immortality. Commonly mispronounced as “Mordad.” See why.
Shahrivar (شهریور)
Month 6. “Desirable dominion” (Kshathra Vairya). Ideals of just rule and social order.
Mehr (مهر)
Month 7. “Mehr” means “sun/kindness.” Associated with Mithra (friendship, covenant, light). The school year starts here. See Mehregān.
Aban (آبان)
Month 8. “Waters.” Connected to Anāhitā—the divinity of the waters.
Azar (آذر)
Month 9. “Fire.” Warmth and light as winter approaches. Yaldā closes Azar.
Dey (دی)
Month 10. From “Dadvah” — creator. A month of creation and gratitude.
Bahman (بهمن)
Month 11. “Good mind / good purpose.” Wisdom, clarity, benevolent intention.
Esfand (اسفند)
Month 12. From “Spenta Armaiti” — holy devotion. Time of Chahārshanbe Suri and Khāneh Tekāni, preparing for Nowruz.
Let’s Find Your Persian Birthday
Convert your Gregorian birthdate to the Persian calendar here:
Why “Amordad” is Correct (Not “Mordad”)
“Amordad” comes from the Avestan concept of immortality (a-mordād, literally “not-mortal”). Over time, the initial “a-” has been dropped in casual speech, leading to the widespread but imprecise “Mordad.” For full details, see: Why ‘Amordad’
