Jashn-e Esfandegan

Jashn-e Esfandegan
The oldest celebration of Women in the world
29th of Bahman (18th of February) is the day of Spandarmad or Sepandarmaz (Avesta.Spenta Armaiti =Holy Devotion). This day and the whole month of Esfand, the last month of Iranian year, belongs to her. She is one of the seven Amshaspands or Amahraspands (Holy Immortal), who are ever-living, ever-helping, guardian, protector and preserver of the creation of Mazda. Spandarmad is the symbol of love and humbleness in the spiritual world and guardian of the earth in material world. She wears the star-studded sky as her garment.

In this day (29th of Bahman) there is a celebration for her, called Esfandegan that is devoted to Spandarmad and also to women and mothers, in order to remember the superior status of mothers as well as their kindness and self-sacrifice.

In the ancient Iranian tradition, in this day women set aside the house chores and put the responsibility on the shoulders of their men for just one day. The men were also supposed to offer their women gifts

REFERENCES:
www.cais-soas.com
Dhalla, M.J.N. Z., 1914: Zoroastrian Theology from the Earliest Times to the Present Day, New York.
Gray. Louis. H., ; The Foundations of the Iranian Religions. K.R.Cama Oriental. No.5 Bombay.