The reflection of Persian cuisine in different eras

There is almost nothing left of the pre-Islamic Iranian food culture. In the cases that have survived, the focus is more on the food culture of the aristocracy and princes. Perhaps one of the best examples of the documents left that can describe Iranian cuisine is the Arjan Bronze Cup. There are other similar objects and pieces of evidence too, which usually depict food tastes and clothing styles in different eras. For example, the book Akhlaq al-Muluk (the way of the kings) is generally about the lifestyle of kings, and part of the book is about food and the way of holding various ceremonies in the Sassanid period. This book proves that many Iranian customs were still observed in Iran after the advent of Islam, at least way into the 4th and 5th centuries.

Under the influence of Iranian lifestyle and taste

After the decline of the Sassanid Kingdom, the Arabs became acquainted with the lifestyle of the Iranians during the Sassanid period. The presence of Iranians in the palace of the Abbasid Caliph also increased this familiarity. Iranian food and food tastes also influenced the three Seljuk, Ilkhanid, and Mongol dynasties, which ruled Iran in different periods. In addition, there is ample evidence that foreigners invading Iran also influenced Iranian food. The use of cranberries, which was used by the Turks, or the types of flour, which were mostly used in Central Asia, can be considered examples of this influence.

The trace of Safavid cuisine

Most of the foods and things we know about Iranian cuisine are from the Safavid era. Chefs’ letters and manuscripts and the information that travelers have written in their travelogues are among the main sources for research on Iranian food. The writings of the court chefs show a very luxurious and aristocratic style of cooking in the Safavid era. A variety of dishes such as pilaf, cocoa, stew, jam, and meatballs were among the popular court dishes in ancient Iran.

Iranian eating habits during the Safavid era

Safavid travelogues also provide very useful information about Iranian eating habits and customs. For example, according to these documents, we know that in the past, large dishes of pilaf and kebabs were prepared jointly for two or three people and that the Iranians always ate together. In the past, people ate more by hand, and the use of spoons and forks was less common. A variety of syrups were served on tables in large pitchers, and the syrups were mixed with large wooden spoons. There were no handkerchiefs on Iranian tablecloths, people washed their hands in copper or silver basins before eating, and servants helped people at the table.

The aristocracy of food during the Qajar era

Later on and during the Qajar period, the aristocracy of food was not hidden from the eyes of travelers, and this is present in many travelogues. During this period, food was arranged and served in beautiful dishes on the floor, and the foods of nobles and ordinary people were very different.

The nature of the food (warm-natured versus cold-natured)

Warm-natured foods improve blood flow and maintain body heat. Symptoms of overeating include rashes, fever, constipation, pungent urine, high blood pressure, excessive thirst, anxiety, headache, restlessness, confusion, and dizziness. These foods are mainly made using animal meat, especially animals with a warm nature.
In contrast, cold-natured foods alleviate the symptoms, but the high consumption of cold foods causes arthritis, rheumatism, cold hands and feet, frequent urination, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, depression, muscle cramps, fatigue, and muscle pains. These foods are mainly made from plants, dairy, and vegetables. However, there might be animal foods with a cold nature (such as cow meat) and vegetables with a warm nature (such as mint).

The consumption of both warm and cold natured foods in Persian foods

Iranian food culture emphasizes the balance in the consumption of the two kinds. Different people have different tastes, of course, and they tilt towards one of the two kinds. However, to maintain a healthy and happy body, the balance of the two regimes is of paramount importance.
Iranian traditional medicine emphasizes the nature of ancient Iranian foods in the treatment of a variety of diseases. The doctor considers the nature of the person, the nature of the food he or she eats, and the nature of the disease, and then prescribe a diet to mitigate or possibly cure the disease. For example, Covid-19 is known to have a cold nature; thus, consuming cold-natured foods is not recommended if you are likely or suspected to have the disease.

Which meats are consumed in Iran?

Religious issues are very involved in the use of meat in Iran and have been common in Iran since the time of Zoroaster. In today’s Iran, meat must be obtained from halal shops. Among domestic animals, eating meat from all groups of sheep, cattle, and camels is permissible. Eating horse meat and donkey meat is frowned upon, though not Haram per se. Pigs and dogs are strictly Haram and should not be eaten at all (so you can’t expect to easily find pork in Iran.) Among wild animals, deer, cows, antelopes, and wild donkeys are halal. It is forbidden to eat the meat of predatory animals, i.e., animals that have a predatory temperament and strong nails and fangs. Foxes, hyenas, and jackals are also forbidden. Although rabbits are not predators, their meat is also forbidden. All reptiles, such as snakes, mice, lizards, frogs, and hedgehogs, are forbidden too.

Famous ancient Persian foods

Iranian food culture is known for its excessive use of rice and its slow and long cooking style. Even frying pans are fried over a gentle, steady heat for a long time. The taste of ancient Persian foods are not spicy at all, and it is one of the mildest foods in terms of taste in the world. Although all kinds of spices are used in these foods, all the effort and art of the chef is to make a balanced, monotonous taste in the food. In addition, the flavors of side dishes in Iranian cuisine are very diverse. For example, the use of pickles, drinks, and vegetables along with Iranian food is a great experience for people who are interested in food tourism.

Different tastes of Iranian foods in different cities

However, the authenticity of ancient Persian foods are yet conspicuous. When you try Iranian food for the first time, you can immediately taste the flavor of originality. The diversity of Iranian food and specially ancient Persian foods are locally observable in different cities in Iran. In the northern cities and towns, foods are almost always accompanied by and/or made of vegetables. The vegetation of the north of Iran makes it possible to make delicious foods that attract hundreds of tourists each year.

Rice, the inseparable part of ancient Iranian foods

One of the main ingredient in Iranian foods, is rice. And most of the rice used by Iranians in ancient Persian foods were prepared from the northern provinces of Iran. In many travelogues from the Safavid and Qajar eras, it is mentioned that pilaf is the national and main food of Iran. Iranians must have pilaf on their tables at every meal. And Iranians eat pilaf with stew and along with it; they use various drinks and vegetables too. There is a difference between pilaf and Chelo. Chelo is rice mixed with butter and saffron, but pilaf ranges from simply cooked rice to rice cooked with different kinds of vegetables, beans, and other ingredients.

Is Kebab the main ancient Iranian food?

Kebab is often considered as one of the main Iranian foods on the menu of many restaurants abroad and in the country. But among the popular Iranian dishes, we can mention Dizi, Fesenjoon, Ghorme Sabzi, Shirin Polo (sweet pilaf), Morasa Polo, Loobia Polo (bean pilaf), and Persian omelet. Iranian food is usually in the categories of pilaf/stew/soup and bread food. Many of these foods are under the influence of neighboring countries such as Turkey, Russia, Afghanistan, and Azerbaijan. Kebabs have mostly changed through time and have become more like Turkish foods, while stews seem to have been under the influence of the Russian culture. Turkish influence became strong in the 16th and 17th centuries, while the Russian influence became stronger during the last two centuries.

Garlicky and Sour taste in northern Iranian food

Gilan and Mazandaran are famous for their delicious meals. UNESCO has recognized Rasht (in Gilan) for the creativity and diversity of its food culture. The northern Iranian food is known for its garlicky taste, its closeness with nature, and its highly nutritious quality. Gilanian food includes Mirza-Ghasemi, sour kebab (kabab-e-torsh), Baghali Ghatogh, and sour chicken. Mazandaranian food includes duck stew, different types of celery stew, eggplant stew, and many types of Kuku. In all these foods, seasonal and local vegetables are present.

Baghali Ghatogh a special ancient Iranian food from the North

Since Baghali Ghatogh is a popular Gilaian food, you may want to know how to prepare it. Peel a broad bean, grate it, and fry it in a little oil or butter. After frying the beans, add the crushed garlic, dill, a little turmeric, and salt. Then, stir to cook well. Next, add a liter of water. Wait until the beans are half cooked. When the water boils, add the eggs to them. The eggs should be fully cooked and should not be stirred in the food. At the end of cooking the beans, you can also add cinnamon to make it more fragrant and delicious.

Fish as an ancient Iranian food for Nowruz (New Year)

Fish is the main traditional food served the night before Nowruz (NewYear) all across Iran. Because the northern provinces and towns are close to the Caspian Sea, you may reasonably expect to find great seafood there. The northern fish, which are famous for their taste, are Caspian kutum, Zander, and Salmon. Salmon is very popular in Nowruz. They are usually expensive. Interestingly, the southern cities of Iran are also home to many fish. There is a greater variety of seafood in the south of Iran. Hence, you can find almost any kind of seafood you like. The south of Iran is, in fact, the habitat of the people of the sea.

Ghalie Mahi an ancient Iranian food from the South

In the south, fish is an integral part of many foods. One of the most amazing foods you can find in the south is Ghalie Mahi. Pomegranate paste, vegetable roe (fenugreek, coriander), onion, pepper, salt, tamarind, garlic, and spices are the main ingredients of this food.

Ancient Persian foods of central Iran

Gheyme Nesar, which is mainly cooked using meat and rice, is a kind of Gheyme native to Qazvin and is one of the popular ancient Persian foods amongst all Iranian people. The Gheyme itself is a broad category of stew made with cooked meat and different kinds of beans or other ingredients. Many types of Gheyme are served with rice and some of them with bread.

Isfahanian foods

Isfahan is another great place to taste and try ancient Persian foods. Due to its geographical and climatic situation, it has been home to a wide range of foods from the past to the present. Perhaps, if you take a look at the list of traditional foods of Isfahan, you will find what most of these foods have in common: They have a mild appearance and they are mainly served with bread. Meat is also one of the main ingredients of Isfahanian food.

Biryani, one of the famous dishes of Isfahan

There are only a few people who go to Isfahan and do not try its unique taste. The popularity of this food is such that not only the people of Isfahan but also other Iranians are fond of it. Biryani is prepared using meat, onion, oil, cinnamon, dried mint, saffron, and curd. In Isfahan, this food is served with some cooked and minced white liver, meat juice, Sangak bread, basil, and cold dough.

Fruits and vegetables in Persian foods and cuisine

In Iranian cuisine, fruits and vegetables are widely used in each season. Also, pistachios, raisins, almonds, dates, and figs are some of the items used in Iranian food. Since they are grown in Iran, they are easily available and are also exported to other countries. In cities like Hamedan, fruits such as melon and cantaloupe are used as desserts on the table. In addition, squash, spinach, green beans, peas, zucchini, onions, garlic, and carrots are used in food along with rice and meat.

Persian foods and their special appetizers and desserts

Iranian desserts and appetizers have many fans among tourists. There is a wide variety of Iranian desserts, ranging from all kinds of pickles to sweets and ice cream. Let’s start with Zoolbia and Bamieh.

Zoolbia and Bamieh

Usually, Iranians buy and eat this dessert during the holy month of Ramadan. But from the point of view of foreign tourists, this dessert should always be eaten. Zoolbia is usually made from a combination of ingredients such as flour, yogurt, oil, baking soda, and saffron.

Ranginak

Another popular Iranian dessert in southern Iran is Ranginak, where date trees are abundant, especially along the Persian Gulf. Ranginak is made from dates in the south of the country. Soft dates are mixed with walnuts and then stuffed with a mixture of roasted flour, butter, cinnamon, cardamom, and finally with chopped pistachios. The texture makes you want to try it quickly.

Faloodeh

Interestingly, foreign tourists initially think that Faloodeh is a kind of noodle. This dessert is more popular in summer when people can enjoy it with a little fresh lemon.

Traditional Iranian ice-cream

The traditional ice cream is said to have been made in the 1950s by a man named Akbar Mashti. It is one of the desserts that foreigners love very much. Combining saffron-vanilla ice cream with roses and pistachios is sure to make you happy, but not as much as the frozen cream pieces in it.

Sholeh Zard

The interesting thing about this dessert is that foreign tourists know it by the concept of “Nazri”. The main ingredients of Sholeh Zard are rice, water, saffron, rosewater, and sugar. It is mostly served on religious occasions, and people give away free bowls to indicate their sacred vows.

Yazdi sweets

Yazd is very famous for these sweets and every tourist who goes to this desert city should try all kinds of them. One of the places where you can find many pastry shops is Amirchakhmaq Square. Usually, tourists praise desserts such as baklava, Qutab, and Pashmak. Baklava, in particular, is a must-try if you travel to Yazd.

Sohan

Sohan can be called the famous dessert of Qom, which is made with wheat germ, eggs, roses, sugar, butter, and cardamom. This dessert is decorated with pistachios, which gives it a very good taste. Tourists say that this sweet is very addictive, especially if you have a teacup in your hand.

Gaz

No trip to Isfahan is complete without Gaz. In addition to Isfahan, it can be seen in places such as Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, and Kerman. Ingredients used in this dessert are sugar, egg white, almond, pistachio, cardamom, and rosewater.

Shirazi salad

Shirazi salad is an Iranian salad common in Shiraz in southern Iran. It is a somehow modern dish, but people eat it along with all kinds of  ancient Persian food. Iranians started to make it sometime after the entrance of tomatoes to Iran, which took place at the end of the nineteenth century. Persians make it using ingredients such as cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olive oil, herbal spices, and verjuice, although lime juice is sometimes used in its preparation. Shirazi salad is very popular in the summer. It is mainly served along with different kinds of pilaf; however, you can order it with any type of food.

Persian drinks

You may know Doogh because it is unique Iranian drink famous in the world. Iranians make doogh using yogurt and water. The yogurt is stirred for almost fifteen minutes, and then water and salt are added. The yogurt used in doogh is sour, and you may add herbs such as mint or dried rose to it. Doogh is served with all the ancient Persian foods. However, there is much more to Iranian drinks than doogh.
Iranian drinks mainly contain plant extracts and their focus is on health. In Iran, there is always a drink to treat health issues such as insomnia, headache, nausea, and dizziness. In general, Iranian drinks that are suitable for summer are called syrups, and herbal teas that are suitable for the winter are called Damnoosh. These drinks are available in many cafes, coffee shops, and other places and they have roots in ancient Persia.

Peppermint syrup

Peppermint syrup is one of the oldest and best Iranian drinks that is useful for quenching thirst. This syrup is a combination of water, vinegar, sugar, and mint extract, and it is prepared in such a way that the combination of water and sugar should be heated. Then, we add mint and vinegar to these boiling ingredients. When the drink thickens, we pass it through a strainer and let it cool. Peppermint syrup in Iran is usually consumed with a lot of lettuce.

Flixweed syrup

Flixweed syrup is one of the best Iranian drinks that has many health benefits for the body and acts as a natural detoxifier for the liver and skin. To prepare the flixweed drink, you must first wash its seeds, then mix it with water and sugar, and if you wish, rosewater and ice. This drink is very suitable for preventing heatstroke in hot seasons.

Basil seed drink

If you want to have a sweet drink with lemon flavor, this drink will be a good choice for you. Basil seed is one of the best Iranian drinks that has many fans among Iranians. To prepare this drink, it is enough to combine basil seeds, lemon juice, water, and rose water. Basil seeds turn into jelly-like seeds when added to water. These seeds provide a good source of minerals and vitamins necessary for the body and are very useful for lowering blood pressure.

Saffron syrup

Iranians often use saffron to flavor foods and beverages. To prepare the saffron syrup, you must first combine saffron with boiling water to get the color and taste. Then, combine some of these saffron with cold water, rose water, and other additives that you like, and then serve it.

Mint syrup

There are other types of plant extracts that are served as syrups in Iran. One of the best Iranian drinks of this type is mint sweat syrup. To prepare the mint syrup, it is enough to combine mint extract with water and lemon juice and serve it on a hot summer day.

Echium drink

Echium is a purple-colored plant that has been used in the preparation of beverages for a long time due to its sedative effect. It is still used as one of the best Iranian drinks. It is also believed that this plant has antimicrobial and antidiarrheal properties. The taste of this drink is a little sour, which is why some people add extra nutrients such as lime.

Persian tea

Persian tea, which is mostly grown in northern Iran, is unique in its taste and color. Iranians are fond of tea, and serve it at least three times a day: in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Persian tea is also a very popular souvenir of Iran.

How Iranians have a meal together?

It is common in Iranian families for all family members to eat together, especially on special occasions such as Nowruz, Sizdah Bedar and Yalda night. Today, many people sit around the table, but the traditional Iranian way is to sit around Sofreh (a piece of linen or any washable material) on the floor. Traditionally, the elderly members of the family should be present for the meal to start. It was, in fact, disrespectful to start the meal without the presence of the parents, particularly the father.

When someone thanks for food, Iranians use the word “Noush-e Jan”, which literally means: may it please your being and soul. This shows that Iranians believe that we should pay attention to food and its ingredients in order to promote the health of the body and soul. In fact, Iranian food is more than just-food. It’s also about being a tranquil soul. If you have not tasted Iranian food before, you are certainly missing out on a lot of greatness in food tourism. Next time you travel to Iran, try as many ancient Persian foods as you can.

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Persian Flowers Festival

There are also several flower and plant festivals, such as the Tulip Flower Festival, which is held every spring in Chamran Park, Alborz Province. Karaj is one of the most important flowers and plant growing areas in Iran due to its pleasant climate. You can see the Laleh (tulip) Garden Carpet at this festival, which is one of the most attractive and spectacular parts of it. It attracts many tourists every year. It is interesting to know that this flower carpet is known as the largest flower carpet in the Middle East.
In this article, we want to make you more familiar with Iranian flowers.

Persian flowers and their origins

Some flowers grow only in Iran or were first grown in this country and then sent to other countries. Indigenous flowers of Iran are very diverse and attractive due to their special geographical location and topography.
Iran is very rich in vegetation due to its great climatic diversity and unique topography. In fact, every part of the country has unique plants and flowers. The desert areas have saline plants, and the foothills have wildflowers. So far, more than 2500 native plant species have been identified in Iran. Here are a few famous Persian flowers:

Tulips as Persian flowers

The main habitat of tulips is Central Asia. This beautiful flower has spread widely in Iran, Greece, Turkey, Afghanistan, Spain, Italy, and parts of western Syria. Also, the shores of the Mediterranean, the Caspian Sea, the Aral Sea, and the Black Sea have created a suitable bed for the growth of wild tulips. Among the species of tulips, 19 species are unique to Iran. But now the Netherlands is the world’s largest producer and exporter of tulips. Tulips occupy a special place in the culture of the people of Iran and Turkey. This unique flower is the national flower of countries such as Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, the Netherlands, Hungary, and Belgium.

Expensive Persian flower, Saffron Crocus or Crocus Sativus

 

The spice originates from a flower called Crocus Sativus—commonly known as the “saffron crocus.” It is believed that this edible flower originated and was first cultivated in Greece, but today the spice is primarily grown in Iran, Greece, Morocco, and India. Saffron must be harvested by hand in the mid-morning and each flower just produces only three threads (stigmas) of saffron, and it blooms for only one week each year; these are the reason for its expensiveness.
This amazing flower is subtle and fragrant and tastes slightly sweet. It is used in the food and makes totally enigmatic taste. Furthermore, it is good for Providing antioxidants, Preventing nervous system disorders, Boosting mood, Reducing PMS symptoms, and, Promoting weight loss.

Fritillaria Persica among Persian flowers

This unique flower belongs to a genus of lilies that grows downwards unlike other flowers. Among the Persian flowers, Fritillaria Persica is one of the highly culturally significant ones to Iranian people. In Iranian mythology, the reason why Fritillaria Persica is mourning (the downward shape) is the death of Siavash, the son of Kikavous. Fritillaria Persica is said to have witnessed the death of Siavash at the hands of the Turanians. According to these mythological stories, this flower fell down after Siavash’s death and cried over the innocence of the son of Iran with colorless sap dripping to the ground. Fritillaria Persica has a very short lifespan of less than one month a year.

The main habitat of Fritillaria Persica

This mythical flower grows in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains and the provinces of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Isfahan, and Lorestan. So far, more than 60 species of this flower have been identified, of which 15 species are also grown in Iran. However, among these, only the 4 species of Iranian Fritillaria Persica, Kurdish Fritillaria Persica, Turkish Fritillaria Persica, and Fritillaria Persica are native to Iran.

More about Fritillaria Persica

The other name of this flower is “Mary’s Tears” due to the overflow of tears and nectar of the plant from inside the flower to the outside. Fritillaria Persica is another example of a native plant of Iran that usually begins to grow in May (spring). This plant is one of the endangered species. Fritillaria Persica in the cold regions of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces is red and sometimes yellow.

Lilium Ledebourii

It is a rare Persian flower that often grows in northern Iran, in the provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, Ardabil, as well as parts of Azerbaijan. But its main habitat is Damash Village, Gilan. The height of this Persian flower is between 50 to 150 cm. Flowering time is usually in June and lasts about two months. Lilium Ledebourii usually yields 4 to 10 flowers. The flowers usually bloom together within 7 cm of the main flower. Many people believe that this type of lily shines at night and that is why it is called Chelcheragh in Farsi (“chandelier”). Others have attributed its name to its similarity with the chandelier. Today, only a small number of this strange and endangered plant remain in Iran. For this reason, they are protected by strict measures. Lilium Ledebourii was nationally registered in the list of the Iranian environmental monuments in 1975.

Gulnar (the pomegranate flower)

The flower of the pomegranate tree is called Gulnar. The popularity of the flower is mostly due to its medical uses (in traditional medicine). Persian Gulnar decoction is used to treat syphilis. The juice is used to treat jaundice, diarrhea, and to treat frequent nosebleeds. Dried and creamy flower buds of this flower are used as a treatment for bronchitis.
Persian Gulnar is another name for the pomegranate tree, with the difference that this tree is male and does not bear fruit. On the first days of spring, the male tree yields leave that is dark green. It takes a while for the buds to come out. These buds are no different from pomegranate flowers. In June, the buds open and form bright red and colorful flowers. These flowers appear on the branches of the tree until the end of July and die with a special beauty in the end.

Rosa Persica

Another Persian flower, Rosa Persica, known as the Persian rose, or more popularly the Muhammadi Flower, occupies a significant place in the Persian culture. In fact, about 350 years ago, it did not grow in any other region except Iran. During the Safavid period, Rose was exported from Iran to Turkey, Syria, and Bulgaria, along with special rose-picking machines. So far, more than 20,000 species of roses have been identified and named, and other species of this fragrant flower are still identified annually around the world.

Rosa Essential Oil

Today, rose essential oil is widely used in the perfume industry as well as in food products such as tea and jam. That is why it has the most expensive essential oil in the world. In fact, each gram of rose essential oil is priced at one gram of gold in the world market.

More about Rosa Persica

It is one of the native flowers of Iran that has yellow and sometimes red fragrant flowers. Rosa Persica reproduces naturally through pollination. For this reason, there is a red area between the yellow flowers that attract insects such as bees. Rosa Persica often reaches 50 to 60 cm in height, and the flowers are about 3 cm in diameter. About 140 years ago, the bases of this beautiful flower were sent to Luxembourg Park in Paris for propagation. This led to the reproduction of this plant in Europe. Today, almost all of the world’s rose trade is accounted for by the Netherlands.

Crocus Gilanicus

This flower, as its name suggests, is specific to the Gilan region. This flower belongs to the saffron family and is very similar in appearance to ordinary saffron, except that the petals of this plant are white. It changes to a very pale purple as it ages.

Iris Meda

Iris is a genus of historical fragrant plants known for about 300 different flowering species. This beautiful flower often grows in alkaline and light soils and has a special place in Zoroastrian mythology. Among the different species of lilies, there is a species called Persian lily or Nowruz flower, which is one of the native flowers of Iran and is in the category of rhizome bearded lilies. The main habitat of this mythical flower is in northern Iran.

Other Persian flowers

Due to the special climatic diversity of Iran, there are many other species of flowers around. These are not primarily Iranian, but they managed to adapt to the geographical conditions of Iran due to the climatic diversity. Some flowers that you encounter in Iran are the sunflower, hyacinth, tuberose orchid, borage, types of cactus, chamomile, many types of violet family, etc. Among these, some of them are worthy of further notes.

Damask rose and Rosewater festival

Damask rose is another name for Iran red flower. Some believe that when the Miandeh Qamsar Mosque was built during the reign of the Seljuk emperors, the representative of Eastern Romania picked some red roses from the slopes of the Asbi Mountain near Qamsar to take with him to Damascus. They cultivated those roses in Damascus, and it became famous in Europe. This is why it is sometimes called the Rose of Damascus (Damask rose) in English.
Kashan rosewater festival is an event for these flowers that begins in May and ends in June and backs to hundreds of years ago. The fragrance of rose flowers fills the air and leaves everyone drunk on its paradisiacal freshness, making the city a dream-like re-imagination of Camelot.

Iranians were the first to find out rosewater

It is interesting to know that, according to historical evidence, Iranians were among the first to think of an evaporation and distillation system hundreds of years ago. The last remains of the soul of an ancient way of thinking about making perfume and fragrant water are now found in rose water festivals.
In the past, rosewater was sprinkled on guests and now its oil is a kind of concentrated liquid that people use for perfume. Also, Rosewater uses in various foods, sweets, and desserts, such as Halva and Faludah. In addition, it has some traditional medicinal uses and is effective in treating some diseases such as sore throat, heart disease, and headache.

Cities with high ranks of flower cultivation

Iran is home to many important species in the field of ornamental plants in the world. Some of the most important Persian flowers that are sold to other countries include tulips, inverted tulips, Lilium Ledebourii, Fritillaria Persica, and irises. The four seasons of Iran have made the cultivation of most flowers possible in this country. Most of Iran’s flowers are produced in Tehran, Markazi (Mahallat and Khomein), Mazandaran, Khuzestan (Dezful), Isfahan, Shiraz, Chaharmahal Bakhtiari, and Gilan provinces.

Producers of cut flowers and plants

The main flower production line in Iran is cut branches, accounting for about 70% of cultivation in the country. In the field of open-space flowers, the provinces of Mazandaran, Markazi, Tehran, Khuzestan, and Alborz are widely active, and in the field of greenhouse production, Tehran ranks first and then are Markazi, Khuzestan, Mazandaran, Isfahan, and Alborz. Tehran province is the largest producer of cut flowers and plants, and Mazandaran province is the largest producer of apartment flowers in the country, but these capabilities are not properly tapped into for export.

Flowers cultivation of Gilan Province

Gilan province is one of the greenest regions of Iran, famous for producing many species of flowers and plants. Gilan is a province with a variety of climates, so it has a natural capacity for growing a variety of plants, including ornamental plants. Annually, about 1.2 million cut flower branches are exported from Gilan province, but the lack of a flower and plant export terminal is one of the major problems in this region. About 5 to 10 hectares of land are needed to establish a flower and plant export terminal in Gilan in order to provide all the equipment and facilities needed to facilitate and expedite export affairs, including a place where the necessary infrastructure can be provided. This is, of course, an investment opportunity if you want to invest in Persian flowers.

Mahallat, the Netherland of Iran

Mahallat is another area where flower cultivation is popular. About 30% of the people of Mahallat are all fully employed in the flower industry. Mahallat has the highest area under the cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants in Iran. Mahallat, located in the south of Markazi province, is known as the Netherlands of Iran. The flower and plant industry of Mahallat, if addressed timely and properly by the authorities, can boost employment and wealth creation, and can also play a role in the development of non-oil exports.

The cultivation of Persian Rose

Persian rose, which is one of the most important Persian flowers, is planted and cultivated in many cities. Iranian rose grows in Iran in Gorgan, Kermanshah, Isfahan, Arak, Khorasan, Azerbaijan, Qazvin, Hamedan, Damghan, Semnan, and Tehran provinces. Persian rose is also found in Turkmenistan and Herat region in Afghanistan.

Flowers Exportation markets of Iran

According to last year’s statistics, Iran is the 17th largest producer of flowers and plants in the world, but we are the 107th in terms of exports. Iraq is the largest flower market of Iran. Vietnam is the second-largest flower market of Iran, and Turkmenistan is the third. Azerbaijan is the fourth largest flower and plant market of Iran, importing almost 1,100 million dollars, which has increased by 22.2% compared to the previous year. Afghanistan can also be mentioned as the fifth target market, which imports almost $1 million, an increase of 42.9% over the previous year.

Russia, the main market of Persian Flower

In general, Russia is generally the largest market near Iran. It buys about 4 million dollars in the field of flowers and plants, which is a very large number compared to other countries and shows that it is worthy of investment. Russia often meets its needs through importing from European countries and Turkey, and Iran should be able to gain a share of this market. Ecuador and Colombia are currently among the suppliers of roses to Russia.

Transit Places of Persian flowers

It should be noted that Persian flowers have been exported to other countries in the world, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States, Spain, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Germany, China, France, Japan, Vietnam, and Iraq. However, the largest customers of Iranian flowers and ornamental plants in recent years have been Iraq, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Many of these countries, such as Georgia, Russia, and Belarus, are in fact transit places for Iranian flowers that are exported to other countries. After entering these countries, Iranian flowers are re-exported by these countries in new packages with new names.

Flowers in Persian customs and traditions

Giving flowers as a gift is one of the oldest Persian customs and traditions. Iranians give each other Persian flowers on different occasions, such as Nowruz , birthdays, wedding celebration, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Teacher’s Day, the marriage proposal ceremony, funerals, and the Persian Love Day (Sepandarmazgan). The common ground between all the occasions is respect, love, and appreciation.

Flowers role in Iranian Marriage

Flowers play an important role when it comes to marriage. From the proposal to the wedding ceremony, the groom gives the bride all kinds of bouquets. The flower is a symbol of the love and respect that the man feels towards his loved one. In ancient times, it was customary to give red or fragrant flowers to wedding guests. In the Sassanid era, when they proposed to the girl and the parties accepted each other, they sent flowers to each other.

Giving Flower for peace

Iranians bring flowers when they visit patients, too. The flowers here add to the freshness of the hospital room, making the stay more pleasant for the patient.
When they go to the graveyard, they take flowers and put them on the tombstone. Iranians believe this provides the soul with peace. Flowers are present in Nowruz and Yalda, too. On Nowruz (Persian New Year), flowers represent the coming of spring. On Yalda, the main flower is the rose, which represents fire, light, and hope for better days.

Persian flowers and ancient Persia

In historical sources and Persian literary texts, many beautiful and heartwarming themes center around exchanging flowers as gifts. The offering of flowers as gifts has been preserved since ancient rituals by the Iranians. Even the Iranian Mazdaeans, who migrated to India centuries ago, still follow this custom and give bouquets of red roses or other fragrant flowers to their guests at weddings.

Lotus flower in Persepolis

The oldest evidence about giving flowers as gifts in the Persian culture is the flowers in Darius’s hand in the Persepolis bas reliefs, which goes back to more than 2500 years ago. Bas reliefs like this illustrate significant occasions such as Nowruz celebration, weddings, and coronation.
Darius has the scales of justice in one hand and a lotus flower in the other, which is a symbol of loyalty.

Lotus flower in Iranians belief

In Iranian culture, the lotus is also a symbol of the transcendence of the soul, because it blooms in the swamp facing the sun. This shows that man can also grow and excel even in difficult conditions. This is one of the reasons why Zoroastrians believe that the lotus is a sacred flower. In their worship, they use Barsam, which is a kind of flower. Barsam was first dedicated to Ahura Mazda (God). Each of the seven aspects of God in Zoroastrianism is assigned a specific kind of flower.

Lotus in Iranian mythology

In Iranian mythology, this flower is a symbol of the goddess Anahita, who occupies an important place in the rituals of ancient Iran. She is the goddess of water, who is carved in reliefs as a young woman. The lotus flower is considered to be the flower of Anahita. The lotus is also closely related to the religion of Mehr. In the scene of the birth of the Mehr, she was born from inside the lotus bud. Therefore, contrary to the idea that the lotus root is in Buddhism, it is related to the Mehrism or Mithraism, which is much older than Buddhism. In Zoroastrianism, this flower is a symbol of Ahura Mazda. The human symbol of Ahuramazda is the torso of a man holding a branch of a lotus in his hands.

Flowers and Persian gardens

As we have said, flowers were used in ancient Iran for weddings, religious celebrations, Nowruz, and wedding celebrations, and in fact, according to the research of French archaeologists and architects, flowers were inseparable from Iranian ceremonies. In Iranian gardens such as Eram garden, Shazdeh Mahan, Pasargad Garden, we see Iranians’ interest in flowers and nature. They even invented intelligent garden irrigation systems to keep flowers fresh and vibrant for longer periods of time.

Flowers in Iranian language and poetry

In Persian literature, poets have created masterpieces with deeply thought-provoking meanings and themes through using figures of speech (such as similes and metaphors) and using the word “flower” or different types of flowers.

Rose in Persian literature

The rose is a symbol of boundless love and affection. Thus, when you encounter the rose in classical and contemporary texts, the first thing that comes to your mind is this abundant love and affection. After the introduction of Islam to Iranian culture, they came to call roses “Muhammadi flower”. In Persian literature, it is sometimes the king of the garden, and sometimes the bride of the meadows.

Daffodil is another flower used in Persian literature

The blackness on the inside of the daffodil reminds us of the pupil of the eye. That’s why the flower symbolizes the eye, usually the eye of the beloved. Poets have compared the beloved to daffodil for other reasons, too. The leafless, green stem of the flower, which is hollow, straw-like, and curved makes one think of humbleness and dignity.

The violet flower in Persian literature

The violet flower is another example of the conspicuous presence of flowers in Persian literature. The reason is the purple color of this flower, which leads to feelings of sadness and grief. The soft, delicate, curved stem of the violet flower has at times given rise to the image of a sad person who has her head between her knees.

Tulip, a sample of Lovers heart

The tulip, too, has a prominent presence in Persian literature. The tulip, the innermost part of which is black, surrounded by red petals, is a symbol of lovers’ hearts, and that black part expresses their broken hearts. In contemporary literature, writers have also used the color of tulip, which is like the color of blood, to symbolize martyrs.

Flowers in Persian Proverbs

The presence of flowers is also very conspicuous in Persian proverbs. For instance, since it’s not polite to sit with your back turned to another person, you usually apologize if you have to do so. In response, you may hear, “the back and the front of the flower are the same”. When people want to say that someone’s appearance is immaculate, they say “he/she is like a bouquet”. “Throwing the bouquet into the water” means messing a job up. “The flower is now accompanied by the grass, too” is used when a situation goes to the dogs. The expression “whatever flower you have, it’s on your head” means “do what you want to do, and the outcome will only affect you”. This one is usually used when someone is making a bad decision. Finally, “call somebody nothing less delicate than flower” means to fully respect someone all the time.

Flowers as a Girl name in the Iranian language

Many of the girls’ names are also taken from flowers in the Iranian language. This is because flowers are delicate, beautiful, and unique. Some of these names are Banafshe (violet), Rose, Laleh (Tulip), and Orkideh (Orchid).

Flowers in Persian tile-working

Iranian architecture has been very famous since ancient times and has been considered by architects of different eras in different countries. One of its distinguishing points is the art of tile-working. Since the Safavid era, Iranians decorated tiles with different flowers and miniature flowers; they usually were in blue and white. But you can find different colored flowers and pink rose painting on tiles of the Nasirl-ol-Molk mosque.

Naming flowers

How flowers are named is based on the color, shape, or the location where they first grew, but they are sometimes named after the way they were found. Two interesting examples are the 100-Tomani flower (Paeonia) and Pich-e-Amin al-Dawla (Lonicera Caprifolium). Pich means bindweeds in Farsi.

History of naming 100-Tomani flower (Paeonia) in the Persian language

The history of both of these flowers goes back to the Qajar era. When Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar traveled to Europe, a European gardener traveled back to Iran with him and brought the roots of this flower to Iran. Gradually, Muzaffar al-Din Shah was impressed by the beauty of the flower when he saw it and gave a gift of 100 Tomans to the gardener, and the name of the flower became known as 100-Tomani. The reason for the naming of the second one is also somebody in the reign of Muzaffar al-Din Shah. Ali Khan Amin al-Dawla, the prime minister of the king, planted Paeonia for the first time in Iran in his garden, and ever since the flower has come to be known as Pich-e-Amin al-Dawla

Online flower shops in Iran

Due to the great desire of Iranians for flowers, many online florists have been established whose websites you can visit to shop. There are also many pages on Instagram, where you can select and order the flower you want. And maybe have it sent as a gift to your loved ones. These online florists enable people living outside Iran to order flowers online for their family or friends and give them gifts. Here are some of the websites and pages you can use:
https://golbishe.net/ /
http://www.khoushe.com/

Iran is a country of four seasons. As Iran located between the two seas, having special topography; special animal and plant species is found in this country. Iran’s plant diversity is so vast that it makes it unique among other countries in the Middle East. Persian flowers are so exquisitely beautiful that you can’t miss them when you travel to Iran. Plus, if you are interested in investing in Iran, Persian flowers offer a unique opportunity.

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Religion and its effects

The religion of the majority of Iranians is Islam. There are other religions in this country, but Islam is the main religion. Muslims are divided into two groups, Shia’s and Sunnis, each with their own beliefs. The religion of Islam, like other religions, includes a series of tenets and principles, and these have somehow influenced the way of doing business in this country as well.

Effects of religion in Iranian business culture

An example of the presence of religion in Iranian business culture is the centrality of the concepts of Halal and Haram to business activities and relations. Basically, if you dishonestly earn something, it is not Halal. For instance, if you gain money for the work you have not actually done completely, the money is Haram. Another instance is making money out of trading things that are not allowed in Islam, things such as alcohol. Yet, another instance is gaining money out of speculation in the goods market, in the real estate, in the gold and currency market, and other markets.

Business language in Iran

The official Iranian language is Persian, and meetings are usually held in Persian. However, people, especially those who work with natives of other countries, have a good knowledge of English and you don’t need to worry about this. However, to be on the safe side, you can bring your translator with you to the meetings, but it is better to let others know before the meeting.

Tips of greeting in Iran

The manner of greetings in Iran may be slightly different from what exists in other countries. It is better to be aware of these points before attending a business meeting in Iran:

• Those who are lower in rank or those who are younger greet first
• You should never use first names. Always use Mr. and Ms. along with the last name of the person to whom you are saying hello/bye.
• Men and women do not normally shake hands in the workplace.
• Hugging and kissing are frowned upon in official greetings.

Remember significant dates

Before you make an appointment, it is better to know the important dates, because some of these days are public holidays. Iranians do not usually make an appointment or go to work on these days:

National Holidays

• Revolution Day (11th of February)
• Oil Nationalization Day (19th of March)
• Nowruz – Persian New Year (21st of March)
• Islamic Republic Day (31st of March)
• Sizdah Bedar (Nature Day) (1st of April)
• Anniversary of Ayatollah Khomeini’s Death (4th of June)
• Revolt of Khordad 15 (5th of June)

Islamic Dates

The following occasions are based on the Islamic lunar calendar. You should check these dates on the Gregorian calendar because they change from year to year.

• Martyrdom of Fatima
• Birthday of Imam Ali
• Prophet’s Ascension
• Imam Mahdi’s Birthday
• Tassoua and Ashura (Martyrdom of Imam Hossein)
• Eid-e-Fitr (end of Ramadan)
• Martyrdom of Imam Sadeq
• Eid-e-Ghorban (Feast of Sacrifice)
• Eid-al-Ghadir
• Arbaeen
• Martyrdom of Imam Reza
• Birthday of Prophet Muhammad and Imam Sadeq

Do not forget Taarof in Iranian culture

The business etiquette in Iran is a bit strict. Everything is based on politeness. You may already know about Tarof. Iranians show a lot of respect and kindness even in business settings, but you should be aware that these are part of Tarof.

Dos and don’ts of Body language

There are a few dos and don’ts when it comes to body language. If you want to give something to someone, such as your business card, try to present it with both hands. When someone gives something to you, take a glance at it before you put it away. And when a person is speaking in a meeting, the other people look at him/her, and having long eye contact with another person during someone’s speech is considered to be impolite. Physical contact, such as patting someone, or any other form of touching the other person, is not common in Iranian business settings. Also, pointing to other people is a serious mistake in Iranian business culture. Specifically, showing thumbs-up is considered offensive to Iranians although its offensiveness has faded over the course of recent years.

Highly respected guests

There are also a few tips to remember when having guests around. Remember that you should never place a guest close to the room’s door. This is not respectful even in domestic settings and out of business meetings. Another point here is to remember that Iranians tend to keep a closer physical distance compared to their Western cultures. You may feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but trying to keep your distance is impolite.

Banned things in Iran

In conversations, asking personal questions such as inquiries about family issues and the amount of income is strongly frowned upon. Another banned thing in Iran is to talk about religious and political issues in Iran. Also, flirting or showing any kind of affectionate behavior towards the opposite sex is not recommended. Finally, when it comes to having meals and drinks, bear in mind that drinking alcohol and eating pork is not allowed in Iran.

Working days and hours

On regular working days, the working hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This is, of course, tentative. Some businesses are closed on the weekend (Thursday and Friday). Some other businesses are open on Thursdays, but their working hours are shorter than on regular days, usually up to 1:00 PM. In any case, there is a one-hour break in Iranian working days for having lunch and saying prayers. It is usually between 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, but again, this is tentative and dependent on the business.

Meetings on Ramadan days

Since the working hours are shorter during Ramadan, it is not common to schedule meetings on Ramadan days. Ramadan is an entire month of fasting and praying, and most people tend to be less energetic compared to the other months of the year. So, even if you must have a meeting during the Ramadan, remember that you are not allowed to serve anything, even water if the meeting is before breaking the fast. Most meetings are therefore held in the evening.

Business dress code in Iran

There are two sensitive points about Iranian business culture when it comes to the dress code. First and foremost, women should comply with Islamic rules of hijab in Iran. These rules state that you should not wear anything revealing your hair and other body parts except for your hands and your face. Also, wearing too much makeup should be avoided. Second, men do not normally wear ties or any similar articles to the meetings. It used to be one of the banned things for a few years, but even after lifting the ban, it remained unchanged in the Iranian business culture. Apart from these two, anything else is like the other parts of the world. For example, wearing casual clothes is not common in Iranian business culture.

Strong relationships before doing business

Iranians prefer to have business with people they know well and have a good relationship with. Therefore, they may invite you to their house or a restaurant or a café for a meal to have a talk and get to know you better. They actually intend to learn more about your culture and customs. Remember that if you are invited to a house, it is better to take a small gift with you. It is common in Iran to bring a gift when you go to someone’s house for the first time. The gift could be anything but alcoholic drinks, personal items, and any kind of weapons. This is more strongly felt when it comes to giving gifts in businesslike settings. Moreover, it is not nice to enter an Iranian’s house with your shoes on.

Business negotiations and meetings in Iran

Iranians are not as easy to negotiate with. First of all, it takes a bit of time to get to the main points of the meeting. Getting sidetracked and talking about new ideas that are not related to the meeting’s agenda is also very common. Iranians prefer to listen carefully to what you say but bear in mind that they interrupt you when they want, and you can do the same. On top of all of this, remember that criticizing the other party in front of his/her colleagues is a bad idea. Iranians are very sensitive towards how they look in their colleagues’ eyes, so you should not openly criticize them in business meetings.

Slow decision making and negotiation procedure

If you want to set an appointment for a meeting, it is recommended to do so by phone or email beforehand. Using the fax is also a good way because many Iranian businesses still use it for communication. When in a meeting, remember that many Iranian businesses are still under the heavy influence of bureaucracy, and the chain of command is very strongly felt in Iranian business settings. Thus, decision-making is performed in a top-down manner, from managers to employees. Therefore, it is not unusual to see that decision making, and the procedure of negotiations, in general, is very slow in the Iranian business environment.

Points of presentation

The last point to remember is the way you present yourself to Iranian counterparts. You should speak clearly and slowly if you give your presentation in English. If you use visual aids, avoid using pictures that contain sexual hints, such as images of women in revealing clothes. Also, avoid using images of banned things in Iran such as images of alcoholic drinks. When you are presenting your resume, be careful to stick to the facts that are documented in your resume. If your words imply a discrepancy with what is seen on your resume, you can’t easily persuade your Iranian counterparts that you are not lying.

Tentative business partnerships in Iran

In the case of intended to work in partnership with Iranians, in the field of energy, architecture, medicine, etc., you can have a joint venture with various Iranian companies. For example, Iranian medicine is very advanced and there are skilled doctors in Iran with whom you can work in various fields. There are also well-equipped hospitals with which you can have various collaborations.

Partnership in construction

Working in the construction business is also a popular venture in Iran. Iranian architecture has been very famous since ancient times and has been considered by architects of different eras in different countries. Today, Iranian architecture is integrated with a modern style, examples of which can be seen in new and luxurious houses and apartments that exist in big cities.

Manufacturing and exportation of handicrafts

Another area to work with Iranians is the manufacturing and exportation of handicrafts. Iran is famous for its brilliant handicraft products, but it is still a business to be grown and advanced in the future. Since there are many and various kinds of handicraft native to different Persian customs and traditions, choose the thing you like and then invest in it. Iranian carpet is one example. It takes a small portion of the investment, and the returns are incredible due to the difference in the currency exchange rate.

Working with Iranians is very enjoyable and of course a little difficult. They are flexible and highly culture-bound. At the same time, there are very attractive working and investment potentialities in Iran. Iran’s economy is developing and this could be a good opportunity to travel to Iran. While enjoying the beauties of this ancient country, you can make good money with a little investment. Going on business travel to Iran would definitely be one of the most memorable experiences you can have when traveling for work around the world.

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The origins of Education in Iran

Humans have lived on the plateau of Iran for at least fifteen thousand years. Little is known about how the people who lived in this land before the Aryans were educated. Nearly four thousand years ago, Aryans, including the Medes, Persians, and Parthians, migrated to Iran. The Medes remained in the west, the Persians in the south, and the Parthians in the east of the Iranian plateau and formed governments.

Learning during the Median period

The Medes conquered the lands of western Iran around 700 BC and established the Medes government. In the Median period, children and adolescents learned the way of life, work, and war at home and in the tribe. Formal training was only for the clergy. In addition to reading and writing, clerics learned and taught religious principles and rituals, astronomy, and the methods of predicting the fate of others in religious centers. Other people were deprived of reading and writing. The Medes had a way of writing similar to cuneiform.

Education in Ancient Iran

Little is known about the education of children during the Achaemenid period. In two Elamite documents obtained from Persepolis and related to the twenty-third year of the reign of Darius I (499 BC), the phrase “Persian boys who write texts” is mentioned. These boys may have been familiar with the Persian cuneiform, in which only a few scribes were probably well-versed at the time because it was mostly used for inscriptions of royal matters. Even high-ranking Iranian aristocrats and employees were illiterate, and writing did not play a role in the usual education of Iranians.

Education during the Parthian period

Similarly, there is no strong evidence of education during the Parthian period. But it can be said that it was similar to the Sassanid era. Our knowledge of the Sassanid era is limited to the training of princes, nobles, priests, and court secretaries. Most of the villagers were illiterate, but most urban men of trade were probably familiar with writing and calculating.

The First University in Iran

The Gundishapur or Jundishapur Academy was one of the important education centers during the Sassanid era. With more than 17 centuries of history, it remains one of the oldest universities in the Middle East and the history of education in Iran. The university offered training in medicine, philosophy, theology, and science. These teachings were based on the Zoroastrian, Persian, Greek, and Indian traditions. The novel institution of the hospital as a center for treatment and medical education was formed in this university. It had a great impact on the history of medical science. In addition, the university hospital was the most important medical center in the ancient world in the 6th and 7th centuries AD.

The beginning of education for all in Iran

Public education emerged after the Arab invasion and was the beginning of Islamic education. Until then, education was only for a specific group of elites. The arrival of the Arabs in Iran made education available to the common people. As a result, they learned the basics of reading and writing, as well as the Qur’an and the principles of religion.
However, even after the Arab invasion, Iranians continued to be at the forefront of literacy and knowledge, with most of the administrative and written work of the court of the Arab rulers being done by the Iranians. The emergence of great poets such as Ferdowsi, Rumi, Khayyam, Nezami, Hafez, and Saadi, put knowledge and wisdom into poetry. This had a major role in preserving the Iranian language. Great philosophers and scientists in the history of education in Iran such as Ibn Sina, Abu Rihan al-Biruni, Khayyam, Mulla Sadra, Farabi, and hundreds of others flourished during this period.

Establishment of Nizamiyas and Maktabs

Khawaja Nizam al-Mulk, the famous, tactful minister of the Seljuks, ordered the construction and equipping of schools that became known as the Nizamiya. The Nizamiyas were built in Baghdad, Neyshabur, Isfahan, Balkh, Merv, and Amol. They operated on a 24-hour basis and the government paid them. These schools had a coherent training program that was set up under the supervision of Khawaja Nizam al-Mulk. This program was followed for up to 150 years with minimal change. One of the shortcomings of these schools was that little by little, free speech and dialogue faded in them, and more emphasis was placed on learning Shafi’i jurisprudence, grammar, Arabic literature, the Qur’an, and hadith. Gradually, centers for teaching Qur’an were established in the country. For example, the Nizamiya in Baghdad was the central school for teaching Qur’an.

Maktab Khane, the Islamic school

After establishing the central school for teaching Qur’an, there were more and more schools in the country until Islamic schools were established under the name of Maktab Khane (the house of writing). Initially, education was in two styles: one was professional and occupational and the other was teaching and reading Qur’an, which was done at Maktabs. Maktabs were also established in villages. The principals of the Maktabs were the same people who were educated in them and returned to their village to promote literacy. Maktabs followed the same rules and had the same characteristics: Qur’an-centric curriculum and informality (having no systematic way of planning for education).

Girls and Boys Maktabs

There were differences between what girls learned and what boys learned in Maktabs. The girls were not allowed to learn writing, because the common belief was that the girls who know how to write start to write love letters! Boys learned almost everything that a curriculum had to offer.

Medicine: From Iran to the Islamic World Beyond

In 148 AH, Mansour, the second Abbasid caliph, contracted a serious illness that doctors could not cure. Therefore, Georges, the son of Bakhtishu, the director of Gundishapur Hospital, was invited to Baghdad for his treatment. After Mansour’s treatment, the Iranian doctor stayed in Baghdad for four years and taught Iranian medicine in Baghdad. Thus, Iranian medicine entered the Islamic world.

Education during the Qajar Dynasty

During the Qajar period, the Iran-Russia wars took place. These wars were accompanied by the defeat of the Iranians and the loss of many parts of Iran. After the defeat, Iranians came to realize they needed to have access to the knowledge outside of Iran. Apparently, there was something in the world beyond the borders that they felt they lacked here. In 1231 AH, five students were sent to England; the first lead printing press was used in 1227 AH in Tabriz; the first newspaper was published by Mirza Saleh, one of the students sent to England, under the name of “Kaghaz-e-Akhbar” in 1253 AH; and the first school in a modern way with the efforts of Mirza Hassan Khan Rushdieh in 1254 AH in Urmia and the following year in Tabriz began its work.

The First Modern schools in Iran

The first modern schools in Iran were formed during the reign of Muhammad Shah Qajar. The first school was built by an American priest named Perkins in Urmia in 1254 AH. In this school, in addition to some new sciences, carpet weaving and blacksmithing were also taught to children. Later on, Eugene Bouret (a French priest) built the second school in 1255 in Tabriz.

Establishment of Dar ul-Funun, the turning point in the history of Education in Iran

Dar ul-Funun marks a turning point in the history of education in Iran. It was an education center for modern science and technology, founded in 1231 AH by Mirza Taghikhan Amirkabir in Tehran. The school’s first teachers were European, mostly Austrian. First, a total of 100 students were selected from the children of aristocrats and government dignitaries to study in the fields of military, medicine, pharmacy, mining, and engineering. Dar ul-Funun had a laboratory for physics, chemistry, and pharmacy, as well as a glass and crystal factory, a candle factory, and a printing press. In addition to theoretical studies, the students also engaged in practical activities. For example, the Austrian artillery and math teacher Monsieur Krishch, with the help of his students, built a telegraph machine that was the beginning of the spread of telecommunications in the country.

Formation of Modern Education in Iran

The modern educational structure of Iran was formed in the beginning years of the 20th century. From the beginning of the Pahlavi government, the formation and development of the Iranian educational ministry have seen many changes. There are public and private schools in Iran now. There are, of course, many challenges in the system of education in Iran as is the case with many other countries around the world.

The establishment of the University of Tehran

The University of Tehran is a state university and the largest higher education center in Iran. This university is referred to as the “mother university” and the “symbol of higher education”. The initial proposal of this government body was made by Ismail Sang in 1927, and after conducting initial studies by Issa Siddiq, it was established in 1935 by the order of Reza Shah Pahlavi. The University of Tehran currently has 25 faculties, 9 campuses, and 11 research centers. Other universities were established later. Nowadays, Iran is home to many great universities: Sharif University of Technology, Shahid Beheshti University, The University of Science and Technology, and Amirkabir University are among the best universities in Iran.

First Girls’ schools in Iran

Prior to the Constitutional period, the general public in Iran believed that education was not necessary, permissible, or desirable for girls. It was Bibi Khanum Astarabadi who started the first girls’ school in the history of education in Iran. She named the school “Dooshizegan (the maidens)” in 1324 AH, but her bold action was met with much opposition and severe criticism. Eventually, despite her resistance, the pressures led to the closure of the school.
“Namous (honor)” was another school for girls built in 1326 AH. It was Touba Azmoudeh this time who built the school on Farmanfarma Street in Tehran. After much resistance demonstrated by women against the wrong norms of that time, all primary schools in Tehran became state-owned in 1327 AH and were officially supervised by the Department of Culture. It was then that 46 new schools were established for both girls and boys.

Adult Education in Iran

It was not until the 1950s that the Iranian people realized there must be a way for adults if they want to get educated. Back then, there were many people who didn’t have any education due to being poverty-stricken. The year 1927, the time of the formation of the first adult classes, can be considered as the beginning of literacy activities in Iran. On October 1, 1927, the first adult education courses under the supervision of the Ministry of Education began as night classes in ten schools in Tehran with eight hundred students. Four stages mark the fight against illiteracy in the history of education in Iran.

The first stage; establishment of an organization for adult literacy in Iran

First, the Organization for Adult Education is the first organization that was officially established in 1937 for adult literacy in the history of education in Iran. During this period, night classes for adults were organized using the existing school space. The activities of this organization continued until the occupation of Iran in September 1942.
Initially, literacy was only aimed at reducing the number of illiterates, regardless of socio-economic considerations. During this period, which lasted from 1315 to 1341, the link between primary education and adults was broken.

The second stage; Establishment of the knowledge corps

In the second stage, i.e. in the period 1963 to 1965, literacy was considered as a tool to achieve the goals of the development of the country. The establishment of the Knowledge Corps in 1963 seems to have been done with this goal in mind.

The third stage; Formation of the National Committee to Combat Illiteracy

The third stage has special features, the most important of which is the formation of a global organization called the National Committee to Combat Illiteracy. At this stage, the economic effects of literacy were considered and the literacy organization evolved. The activities of the National Committee to Combat illiteracy were mostly focused on the implementation of educational programs. Experiences gained from the implementation of literacy programs in this period necessitated the adoption of a new strategy: the executive affairs of literacy programs had to be entrusted to government departments and organizations, and the National Committee to Combat Illiteracy acts as a planner and designer of executive plans and literacy. However, not all of these measures achieved the expected results, and despite rising literacy rates, the number of illiterates continued to rise.

The fourth stage; Establishment of the Literacy Movement

After the victory of the Iranian Revolution in 1978 and the resumption of literacy activities, new hopes arose, but the 1986 census revealed that despite the expansion of primary education and literacy activities in urban and rural areas, especially among girls and women, Illiteracy had increased from 14.2 million in 1976 to 14.7 million in 1986. Nevertheless, the literacy rate rose from 41.7% to 62% in the next decade.
Therefore, the fourth stage started with the establishment of The Literacy Movement by the order of Imam Khomeini to fight illiteracy in Iran. The movement continues. Classes are still available to give opportunities to those deprived of educational means.

Diversity in Education in Iran

Today’s Iran has two ministries for education: one is responsible for schools (Ministry of Education), the other for higher education (Ministry of Science and Technology). Nowadays, you can find all kinds of schools in Iran. The most common one is the public school that is governed by the government and every child can attend for free once reaching the age of 7. Private schools are there too, but they are too expensive. For foreigners and religious minorities, there are schools where children can be more comfortable with their peers. There are also schools for adults: those who need a high school diploma but never had the opportunity to get one.

Educational disciplines in Iran

Today, the variety of educational disciplines in Iran is very high and those interested in higher education can choose from these disciplines. There are very good universities and educational centers in each of these fields, and the country has been able to make significant progress in each of the fields of science. Iranian students now seek computer science and mathematics, all kinds of engineering majors, humanities, medical sciences, and many other majors.

Different types of University in Iran

Due to the great popularity of higher education in Iran, a university called Azad University was established in Iran. It is different from others since you need to pay huge amounts of tuition to get your degree from Azad University. Azad University has 31 provincial university units including 400 university campuses and research centers in Iran as well as 4 overseas centers in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, and Lebanon. There are other types of universities operating in Iran under the name of non-profit and applied universities. In non-profit universities, tuition fees are lower. The applied universities are tailor-made for organizations to educate their employees in specific areas of practice.

You can seek education in Iran. Iran offers a wide variety of disciplines and universities if you are interested. Plus, when you travel to Iran, you can visit the universities. Many of the campuses are beautiful and you will get to know Iranian students, a cool generation highly different from the stereotyped middle-eastern youngster whose picture the media has always promoted.

The post Tracing the History of Education in Iran appeared first on Easy GO Iran.

First Persian Omelet: Recipe of tomato omelet

This Persian omelet is one of the most popular Iranian food that has fans in all the world. And its simple recipe could be a good choice for a light meal for single parents, college students, and the hungry or lazy individuals who hate cooking.

Ingredients and steps of Tomato omelet for 2

1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves Garlic, finely chopped or crushed
6 medium Tomatoes, chopped
4 Eggs
2 tablespoon oil/ butter
Salt, black pepper

STEP 1:

Set a pan over medium heat and start to heat the oil. When it gets hot add garlic and toast for 1 to 2 minutes until slightly golden; after adding the onion and fry for some minutes to soften.

STEP 2:

In this step add chopped tomatoes and saute on medium heat until almost all of the juice evaporates and the sauce is thickened and creamy; during heating the tomatoes do not forget to stir the content from time to time. Now stir-fry the contents of the pan evenly and toast them a bit over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes.

STEP 3:

Now you should crack the eggs in a bowl, add them to the pan and mix them with the sauce. Over the low heat let the eggs cook uncover to your  liking. Now taste it and sprinkle the salt and black pepper.
Now the tomato omelet is ready to serve. Transfer it to your desired dish and enjoy this Persian omelet besides fresh bread and onion.

Point.

Different people prefer different levels of cooking eggs. So, you can cook the eggs in this omelet based on your taste

Second Persian Omelet: Tomato paste (Sauce) omelet

This omelet is too similar to tomato omelet but whenever you do not have accessibility to tomato you can have this one and despite its easy recipe, it is so delicious.

Ingredients and steps for 2

2 Tablespoon Tomato paste
4 Eggs
2 tablespoon oil/ butter
Salt, black pepper

STEP 1.

Put a pan over medium heat and when it gets hot, start to saute the tomato paste for 5 minutes. Spoon it evenly to prevent from sticking to the pan.

STEP 2.

Now its time to add the eggs. First, break them in a bowl, then add to the pan and stir them with the sauce. Over the low heat let them cook well. In this step, you can add salt and pepper. Enjoy this omelet in an evening or morning besides Barbari (a famous and favorable Iranian bread).

Third Persian Omelet: Tomato paste omelet with Beans

This omelet is so popular in the north of Iran and it is one of the inseparable parts of their breakfast. Do not miss it whenever you have Iran tour packages, it would be pleasant for you.

Ingredients and steps for 2

1 Beans conserve or baked beans

3 Eggs

1 Tablespoon Olive oil

Salt, Black Pepper

STEP 1.

After heating a pan over light heat, start to stir-fry the beans in olive oil.

STEP 2.

Now put the beans a side in the pan and break the eggs. Cook the eggs to your liking and sprinkle salt and pepper to your taste.

Serve this delicious omelet with Persian bread and enjoy this Persian omelet.

Fourth Persian Omelet: Tuna Omelet

This omelet is among popular Persian omelets and its simple recipe is appealing to fish lovers. It would be a good opinion when you are not in the mood of cooking and prefer to relax.

Ingredients and steps for 2

1 Tuna fish conserve
3 Eggs
Salt

STEP 1.

Put a pan over medium heat, when it gets hot start to toast the tuna slightly in its oil.

STEP 2.

Crack the eggs in another dish and mix it with the tuna over light heat and sprinkle a little salt to them. Let the eggs cook uncovered; then garnish it with chopped tomato and serve.

Fifth Persian Omelet: Date Omelet with Honey (Khorma and Asal)

This omelet is one of the most popular Iranian dishes which is from the south of Iran but popular among different cities. If you have a trip to the south of Iran you will find this Persian omelet as one of their genuinely popular dishes for dinner or breakfast. Here you can find its recipe and enjoy it with your family.

Ingredients and steps for 2

8 Dates
4 Eggs
4 Walnuts (it’s optional)
2 Tablespoon oil/ butter
Salt, Black pepper

STEP 1.

First separate the kernels of the dates and half them to pieces. Then dice the walnuts to small pieces.

STEP 2.

Now put a pan over the medium heat, when it gets hot start to toast the dates and walnuts in the oil or butter lightly until golden brown.

STEP 3.

Now break the eggs one by one in the pan and mix them to cook well. At last, you can add salt and pepper based on your taste.

These 5 recipes are among popular Persian omelet and food which have lots of fans around the world. If you have 1-day Persian food tour in Iran you can learn many of these delicious recipes as a souvenir of Iran.

The post Recipe of different popular Persian Omelet appeared first on Easy GO Iran.

Volcanoes are familiar to us. They are also terrifying for many of us. The movement of tectonic plates under the surface of the earth is the reason why volcanoes come into existence. In fact, the movement of those tectonic plates can sometimes cause other natural disasters such as earthquakes. That’s very rare, but there are other dangers, too. Volcanoes can cause climatic changes, they can be the reason behind terrifying storms, and the ashes can cause serious respiratory issues for the inhabitants near these mountains. Here in this article, we are reading about volcanoes especially volcanoes in Iran.

 Different kinds of volcanoes

Experts tend to think of volcanoes as creatures that live for long, long years. If they have erupted at least once over the last 10000 years, they are considered to be active. If not so, and if not going to be so for the next 10000 years, they are extinct. But the interesting ones are the dormant ones. They are, in fact, sleeping. It means they have not erupted for a long time, but experts believe they will erupt again.
The eruption of volcanoes is not solely dangerous. It could be useful in many senses of the word. One of the benefits of the volcanoes is that they keep the earth alive. Fertile lands which are great for farming are usually abundant around the volcanic areas. Even when they don’t erupt, because of the dynamics of the earth’s activities deep down, the land enjoys fertile soil. Eruption makes it even better.

Some other benefits of volcanoes

In addition, the heat of some volcanoes is used to generate energy and illuminate light bulbs, help run refrigerators, televisions, and computers in our houses. The following are more benefits of volcanoes:
1- Release of the inner energy of the earth;
2- Forming good quality soil for fertilizing agricultural land;
3- Forming iron and copper mines;
4 – Formation of hot springs, which are very useful for skin diseases;
5 – Formation of volcanic chemicals such as sulfur;
6 – Generating thermal energy;
7- Creating a natural dam and bridge;
8 – The use of volcanic rocks in construction;
9 – Creating natural tourist attractions;
10 – Formation of a spectacular and attractive stone area;
11- Forming a lake and creating new ecosystems;
12- Forming building materials such as mineral pumice and volcanic rocks.

Cross the mountains of Iran

You can see at least five volcanoes on the map of Iran: Damavand, Sabalan, Taftan, Bazman, and Sahand. Three of these – Bazman, Taftan, and Damavand – are active or dormant volcanoes. Iran is a country with wonderful natural and unique attractions the like of which may not be found in the world. In Iran, there are many mountains that you can choose for mountaineering, but volcanic areas are even more fascinating.

Overview of volcanoes of Iran

Now we are going to take a look at the volcanoes in Iran. The following parts introduce the main and popular ones.

1- Damavand

Damavand as one of the most beautiful natural places in Iran is in northern Iran with a height of 5610 meters, the tallest among the mountains and volcanoes in Iran and the Middle East, and the highest volcanic peak in Asia. This mountain is known as the roof of Iran. It is located in the central part of Alborz Mountain Range in the south of the Caspian Sea. In terms of the country’s divisions, it is in the Mazandaran Province and the Larijan section of Amol city, and you can see it from the cities of Tehran, Varamin, and Qom, as well as the shores of the Caspian Sea when the weather is clear and sunny.

-Damavand in Iranian mythology

The name of this mountain is prominent in Iranian mythology. It is stated in the Shahnameh that Zahak (the oppressive king) was imprisoned in it. It occupies a significant place in the Persian language and literature. Many poets have written poems about it throughout the Iranian literary history. Damavand Mountain was registered as the first natural monument of Iran in the list of national monuments of Iran in July 2008. Damavand Mountain has also been considered as one of the four valuable environmental areas in terms of environmental protection since 2002 as a “national natural monument”.

2- Sabalan

Sabalan or Savalan Mountain is the third highest mountain in Iran after Damavand and Alam Kooh. It is located in the northwest of the country and Ardabil Province. The peak of this mountain is about 4811 meters and there is a small beautiful lake at the top of it. This mountain has been registered in the list of national natural monuments. The mountain’s natural spa, Alvarez ski resort, and beautiful summer nature attract many tourists and travelers. In fact, it is one of the uniquely beautiful volcanoes in Iran. On one of Sabalan’s slopes, at an altitude of about 3,600 meters, there are many volcanic rocks in the form of giant sculptures resembling animals, birds, and insects, which attract many tourists.
Sabalan Mountain is a set of inactive volcanoes. Its volcanoes include the main Sabalan, little Sabalan, Sultan Mountain, and Aghan Dagh that you can explore during the Sabalan trekking tour.

-Sabalan, a holy mountain

This mountain has a special sanctity among the natives and nomads, and, interestingly, some people believe that Sabalan Mountain was the place of resurrection of the Prophet of Iran, Zarathustra. Therefore, some consider this place a holy place and even some natives and nomads swear by it.

3- Sahand

Sahand is in the Maragheh City of West Azerbaijan Province, and its height is 3707 meters. Indigenous and migratory birds, numerous mammals, and various and rare aquatic species live in this mountain and its slopes. In addition to these beauties, Mount Sahand is one of the factors in the prosperity of agriculture, animal husbandry, and beekeeping in this region.

-Sahand the bride of the mountains of Iran

In terms of classic volcanic divisions, it is a mixed volcano. Among the volcanoes in Iran, few are of the mixed type. The volcanic activity in the mixed type has taken place in several stages. Due to the abundance of plants, grasslands, flowerbeds, and pastures, this mountain has found a very beautiful face and is known as the bride of the mountains of Iran. The desert anemones and tulips are grown on the slopes of this mountain and the rare species of overturned tulip present a spectacular view to every visitor. The peaks of Sahand Mountain Range are Sahand, Jam, Sultan, Demirli, Aghdagh, Motaladaghi, Shirdaghi, Haram Daghi, Giroudaghi, Atashan, Darvish, and Kamal.

-The last activity of Sahand volcano

According to geologists, the absolute age of various lavas in Sahand is estimated to be between 12 and 14 million years. Thus, it can be concluded that Sahand volcanoes have been active in several stages, and among these stages, there has been relative calm. The time of the last activity of this volcano is unknown, but it probably dates back to the Holocene.

4- Taftan

Taftan is the only active volcano among the volcanoes in Iran. This volcanic mountain is located in the southeast of Zahedan and northwest of Khash with a height of 4,110 meters above sea level. This mountain is also considered as the highest mountain in the province. The volcanic peak of this mountain is called Chehel Ton, which is located near Khash. Its main body consists of two mountains that are connected by a saddle-like and narrow section. Taftan lava covers an area of 1,300 square kilometers, and there are a few layers of ash in this volcano.

-The last eruption of Taftan

Reports on the history of the volcanic activity of this mountain, like other volcanic mountains in Iran, are unclear. The latest report of activity for this volcanic mountain shows the last eruption to have happened about 6,950 years ago. At present, the volcano has intense foromolytic activity (the release of vapors and sulfur gases), which can be seen from a great distance. A number of hot springs can be found around the volcano. Taftan Mountain, along with Bazman Mountain and Sultan Mountain in Pakistan, is part of the volcanic arc. Taftan is always active and lava flows, from basalt to dacite, erupt from it.

5- Bazman

Bazman Mountain, the youngest among the volcanoes in Iran, is located 110 km northwest of Iranshahr and southwest of Taftan Peak. It is 2100 meters high, compared to the surrounding land. The large lava flow flows from the eastern slope of the peak, and on the northern slope of the same lava flow, it creates a cone with a steep and very clear slope. It should be noted that there is no exact information about the eruption of this volcano, but the peaks of this volcano are full of a variety of dioxide vapors. Bazman Mountain is a stratified volcano in the desert region of Sistan and Baluchestan Province in southeastern Iran.

6- Shahsavaran

Shahsavaran is located 110 km south of Zahedan City and about 60 km northwest of Khash City in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. The last eruption of the mountain dates back to 12 million years ago, but in recent years, there have been earthquakes in the region. Some believe this could be related to the volcano. Some experts also deny this and still consider Shahsavaran to be inactive. The mountain or hill of Qal’eh Hassan Ali, although not very high, has the largest volcanic crater in Iran. At the mouth of this volcanic mountain, there is a salt-lake, which is amazingly beautiful.
This volcanic mountain is called Hassan Ali Castle and is located in the southeast of Kerman Province, next to a village of the same name. It is said that Hassan Ali Castle is the largest and youngest volcanic crater in Iran.

7-Qal’eh Hassan Ali

Qal’eh Hassan Ali (Hassan Ali Castle) is a volcanic field in the southeast of Kerman Province. Qal’eh Hassan Ali and several adjacent volcanoes form the local fault zone. it is probably “Iran’s largest volcanic crater” and has an approximate diameter of 1,200 meters and a depth of nearly 300 meters. There is also a salt lake at its mouth. There is no clear record of its last eruption, but many believe it could be devastating if it happens.

Volcanic mountains are fascinating, but these mountains may explode at any moment. The last eruption of some of these mountains, however, dates back to many years ago, and no one remembers them. Iran is home to many wonderful volcanic landscapes. Volcanoes in Iran are, in fact, spectacular phenomena attracting many travelers and tourists throughout the year. Iran trekking tours and Iran tailor-made tours offer many options to tourists to enjoy these sights during a safe and memorable trip.

The post Cross the volcanoes peaks in Iran appeared first on Easy GO Iran.

Insurance is a contract between two parties, the insurer and the insured, according to which the former compensates the loss experienced by the latter in line with the terms of the agreement. The Persian equivalent of the word insurance is Bimeh. If you are already familiar with Persian, you may know that the word Bim means “fear”.
Now, there are two etymological explanations for the word Bimeh. Some people believe it comes from the word Bimah in Sanskrit, which means “fear”. There are others who believe the word has its roots in the Farsi rendition of a Russian word which means “an antidote to fear”, or “a shield against fear.” The reason behind the second explanation is that Russians were the first to do insurance business in Iran. We will thoroughly review all about Iran insurance companies and many other issues in the present article that may be useful for you if you travel to Iran or want to book an Iran tour package.

History of “Insurance” and “Insurance companies” in Iran

There were similar mechanisms to insurance in the reign of Kayqubad I. He reigned from 1220 to 1237 A.C. However, the roots go back even further and to the Achaemenid period. At that time, if a civilian sent gifts to the king, the kingdom would, in return, help the person at the time of the loss. The insurance business in Iran began in 1910. During that year, two Russian institutes, Nadezhda and the Caucasus Mercury, officially set the insurance industry up in Iran. After the establishment of these two institutes, many others started to work in Iran. In late 1935, about thirteen other foreign companies were working in the country’s insurance market, including the British Alliance and the British Yorkshire Company.

Foreign insurance companies in Iran

Earlier in 1891, when Nasser al-Din Shah, the Qajar king, ruled the country, the privilege of an institution called the Department of Transportation and the Insurance Organization throughout Iran was handed over to a Russian resident named Lazar Solomonovich Poliakov. Later, other foreign companies were established in Iran. Due to the lack of an Iranian insurance company, merchants, traders, and institutions had to go to these companies for the insurance services they needed.

The first Iranian insurance company

The idea of establishing an Iranian insurance company was proposed by an Iranian named Dr. Alexander Aghayan (who had a history of working in Nadezhda) to Ali Akbar Davar, the then Minister of Finance, in 1931. Four years later, in 1935, the first Iranian insurance company, Bimeh Iran, was established with a capital of two million Tomans.

The establishment of Bimeh Iran, the first Iranian insurance company, overshadowed the activities of the foreign companies. The insurance law was passed in Iran in 1937. In 1952, laws were passed that led to the closure of foreign insurance companies. Two years before that, private insurance companies started to work in Iran, and in 1964, eight private companies were active in the business. In 1971, in order to support domestic insurance companies, the Central Insurance Law was passed and Central Insurance was established.

Central insurance organization

The Central Insurance of Iran is the agency responsible for monitoring and regulating the Iranian insurance system. Five insurance companies are prominent in this sector. Out of these companies, four are primarily active in commercial insurance and protect businesses. The forerunner is the Iran Insurance Company. The others, that is, Asia Insurance Company, Alborz Insurance Company, and Dana Insurance Company line up behind Iran insurance company. The mentioned companies are listed in TSE.
Central Insurance also plays the role of a reinsurer in the industry, both voluntary and compulsory. Currently, according to the latest regulations of the Central Insurance in 2018, all insurance companies need to transfer 23% of life insurance policies and 13% of non-life insurance policies to Central Insurance. This is called mandatory reinsurance.

Insurance sales networks in Iran

According to official statistics from the Central Insurance of Iran, about 40,000 agents and brokers are active in this industry and produce more than 70% of the portfolio of this market. The sales network plays the role of the front line of insurance.
Insurance industry in Iran has been traditionally made up of two main actors: the insurer and the insured. With the boost of IT-based innovations, however, the Iranian insurance system has witnessed the revolutionary advent of insurance aggregators. Aggregators are comparison shopping websites or applications in which a set of companies, brands, and similar entities are displayed side by side, allowing users to compare the rates in an online setting. Currently, many Iranian sites allow customers to compare different products based on a wide range of manufacturers and choose the desired product based on the price. But this is relatively new for insurance services, perhaps only a decade old.

Franchise

A franchise is a fraction of the loss that is borne by the insurer, and the insurer has no liability up to that amount. If the deduction is set at 14,000 Tomans, for example, the insurance company is not responsible for any amount under the set number, and if the amount of the loss exceeds the number, the excess insurance company will pay the difference between the actual loss and the agreed amount.

Active insurance companies in Iran

The growth of insurance companies in Iran began in the 2000s, and so far about 32 insurance companies are operating in Iran. Each has its own set of policies and goals, and all of these companies are licensed by the Central Insurance and operate under its supervision. They include a public company and 26 private companies, including 2 reinsurance companies and 5 insurance companies operating in the free zones.

•  Public insurance companies

Public insurance- Bimeh Iran

-Bimeh Iran

You read the history of Bimeh Iran at the beginning of this article. Now, we take a look at some details. A while after starting to work, Bimeh Iran absorbed almost 62% of the local market share, which was a blow to its foreign rivals. Bimeh Iran’s retention capacity went up from 10% to 56%, and it reduced the premium rates by up to 50%. These strategies adopted in the early years of work helped Bimeh Iran become popular during the first stages of growth. Today, after almost nine decades, it is an emblem of what insurance means in Iran.

Different fields of Bimeh Iran

Bimeh Iran operates in all fields of life and non-life insurance and provides more than 50% share of the country’s commercial insurance by offering commercial and family insurance, including vehicle insurance, persons (life, accident, and medical), fire, cargo, engineering, and liability. On the national scale, the majority of large national projects such as oil and gas and petrochemicals, aviation, dam construction, power plants, and industries are covered by Bimeh Iran, and they rely on it when necessary. Due to its high risk-taking capacity, Bimeh Iran, in addition to providing direct insurance, accepts the risk in the form of reinsurance from domestic and foreign insurance companies.

Branches of Bimeh Iran

Bimeh Iran has 205 active branches and insurance service centers throughout the country and 12 branches and agencies outside the borders. It benefits from the services of more than 3770 real agency offices and 156 legal representatives under the name of Insurance Services Company (in total, 4256 agencies, brokers, and companies). Bimeh Iran has the largest insurance supply network in the country.
The total manpower employed in the company (permanently employed or contractual) is about 4739 people, 53% of whom have a university degree. In addition, due to the expansion of the insurance market, Bimeh Iran has provided part of its human resources through the specialized services of Kargostaran Rahbar Company (former Amin).

Contact details:

Website: http://iraninsurance.ir/en_GB/web/en/home
E-mail: iad@iraninsurance.ir
Address: No. 51, (West) Brazil St., Shirazi St., Molla Sadra Ave., Vanak Sq., Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Postal code: 1435814715
Phone: (+98 21) 86 71 19 70
Fax: (+98 21) 86 09 21 19

•  Private insurance companies

– Asia Insurance

Asia Insurance Company was established in July 1959 to conduct a variety of insurance and business transactions. It has more than 100 branches, and several active agencies that are responsible for consulting, selling, and tracking claims and other insurance services. Also, it has about 3,000 real and legal representatives in all parts of the country. In 2009, in accordance with the general policies of Article 44 of the Constitution, it was included in the list of companies subject to privatization and continued its activities as the largest private insurance company in the country.

The first rank among financial insurance companies

This company ranks first in production and market share among the country’s private insurance companies. Asia Insurance, with more than 2400 specialized, experienced, and committed human resources, has a capital of 2/300/000/000/000 Rials and with more than half a century of activity in the field of the insurance industry, is one of the top 100 most reputable Iran Insurance companies inside and outside the country. In addition, according to a recent report by Iran Central Insurance, Asia Insurance Company ranked first (level 1) among financial Iran insurance companies in terms of financial wealth. It is also the second direct insurance company in maintaining risk and accepting reinsurance in the country. Among its areas of activity are fire, vehicle, medical, life, and savings, life and accidents, liability, and engineering.

Contact details:

Website: https://www.bimehasia.com/
E-mail: info@asiainsurance.ir
Address: No. 310, between Qarani st. and Nejatollahi st., Taleghani St., Tehran, Iran
Postal code: 1885-15815
Phone: (+98 21) 88 80 09 50- 88 80 09 60

– Alborz Insurance

Alborz Insurance Company was established by the private sector on July 19, 1959, with the primary goal of providing desirable and quality insurance services and creating diversity in the insurance market. Soon, it gained the satisfaction of the insured.
After the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Alborz Insurance continued to operate under the same name due to its successful performance. Alborz Insurance Company is currently ready to provide insurance services across the country with 54 branches, 1300 employees, and more than 2,000 active representatives. This Insurance company, which has the highest risk-taking capacity among private insurance companies, has gained countless achievements in the country’s insurance industry in recent years, as well as in the country’s executive apparatus.

The first public insurance company

Capital, expertise, professional staff, speed in assessing and compensating the loss are among the indicators of wealth. Loyal customers, extensive communication with the global insurance market, scientific and accountable management, and very good financial ratios are among the indicators of the sustainability of the company. Alborz Insurance was accepted as the first public insurance company in the TSE in 2009, and its shares were met with an unparalleled welcome by investors and stock exchange activists when 80% of its shares were transferred to the people. Thus, its ownership was transferred from a public insurance company to a private insurance company. Its areas of activity include individuals, vehicle, cargo, liability, special insurance policies, engineering, fire, life, and pension.

Contact details:

Website: http://www.alborzins.com/En/index.html
E-mail: info@bimehalborz.ir
Address: No. 1320, Aban Alley, Shariati St., Tehran
Postal code: 1913777151
Phone: (+98 21) 88 80 38 21
Fax: (+98 21) 88 80 38 21

– Dana Insurance

Dana Insurance was established on June 22, 1974, with the participation of Commercial Union Insurance of the United Kingdom as a public joint-stock company with private sector capital. After 5 years of activity in the form of the private sector, this company was announced to be national in July 1979 based on the decision of the Revolutionary Council and the Provisional Government, along with 12 other private insurance companies.
Currently, Dana Insurance, with 61 branches, 1987 agencies, 35 sub-companies, 115 special life insurance sales agencies, 670 brokerages, 3 sub-offices, and 1600 staff members, and holding about 7.7% of the country’s insurance market, is the third-largest company in the market. Dana operates in both insurance and reinsurance areas, providing all kinds of life and non-life insurance. Moreover, Dana Insurance provides insurance services in the field of motorcycle, fire, engineering, energy, liability, and cargo.

Contact details:

Website: https://www.dana-insurance.com/En
Address: No. 2, 15th St., Gandhi St., Tehran, Iran
Postal code: 1517891197
Phone: (+98 21) 88770971

– Arman Insurance

Arman Insurance started its business in the industry in 2011. Its major shareholders include Bank Iran Zamin, Gardeshgari Bank, Maskan Bank, Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Iran Khodro, Saipa, and many other organizations and companies operating in the country’s provinces. The company has 41 branches in the provincial capitals and some major cities. About 800 agencies are active in all parts of the country. Further, the company has 400 employees and its active sales network meets the needs of customers.

Contact details:

Website: https://www.armanins.com/
E-mail: info@armanins.com
Address: No. 4, Mirdamad Blvd., South Shams St., Tehran, Iran.
Postal code: –
Phone: (+98 21) 2856

– Iranian Reinsurance Company

Iranian Reinsurance Company (Iranian Re) started in 2009 with the permission of the Central Insurance. Unlike other insurance companies, the company’s goal is not to provide insurance services but to provide reinsurance for other domestic insurance companies. It does not have branches and sales reps and operates through the services of its staff of 38.

Its activities include:

• Reinsurance in all insurance fields from domestic and foreign markets based on the activity license issued by the Central Insurance of the Islamic Republic of Iran within the scope of the capacity and regulations;
• Establishment, participation, or management of internal and external reinsurance funds;
• Investing in the form of capital and financial resources within the framework of the rules and regulations approved by the High Insurance Council;
• Providing consulting, ancillary, and complementary services in the field of reinsurance;
• Activities in other fields that are related to the goals of the company

Contact details:

Website: http://www.iranianre.com/
E-mail: info@iranianre.com
Address: No. 5, Zayandeh Roud St.,North Shiraz St., Molla Sadra Ave., Tehran, Iran.
Postal code: 1991634491
Phone: (+98 21) 88 62 86 11 – 16

– Amin Reinsurance Company

Amin Reinsurance Company (Amin Re), as the first private insurance company in the country, obtained its establishment license in 2003 and was registered in the Kish Free Trade Zone. Its activities include:
• Reinsurance policies in all fields of insurance from domestic and foreign markets;
• Providing ancillary and supplementary services in the field of reinsurance;
• Establishment, participation, or management of domestic and foreign reinsurance funds.

Contact details:

Website: http://aminre.ir/en/
E-mail: AMINRE@AMINRE.NET
Address: No. 16 Sanaie Ave., Andisheh Blvd., Kish Island, Iran
Postal code: 1991634491
Phone: (+98 76) 44 42 07 85 – 7
Fax: (+98 76) 44 42 09 58

– Omid Insurance

Omid Insurance company was established in 2000. Its major shareholders are larger Iran insurance companies such as Dana, Alborz, and Asia. The focus is on free zones and most of its agencies are in the free trade zones of the country. Omid co. has 7 branches, a staff of 61, and 122 active reps throughout the country. Its areas of activity include automobile, medical, liability, cargo, engineering, special cases, life, accident, pension, and fire.

Contact details:

Website: http://www.omid-insurance.ir/Default.aspx
E-mail: IT@omid-insurance.ir
Address: No. 31, Omid Building, Ferdowsi Square, Sepahbod Gharani St., Shadab St., Tehran, Iran.
Postal code: 1514747314
Phone: (+98 76) 88 91 58 73
Fax: (+98 76) 88 91 50 47

– Parsian Insurance

Parsian Insurance Company (Public Joint Stock Company) started operating in 2003.
The main shareholders of Parsian Insurance Company are:
• Parsian Bank
• Parsian Leasing
• Tadbir Investment Company
• Saba Taamin Parsian
• Parsian Bank Financial Group

Branches and field of activities of Parsian Insurance

The mission of Parsian Insurance is to create a global organization that is competitive, committed to the community and pioneers in providing distinct services to individuals and legal entities to cover risks and compensation, as well as providing consulting services in risk and safety management (identification, evaluation, and analysis). It has 62 active branches throughout the country.
Parsian Insurance is active in the field of commercial insurance, including property insurance, liability insurance, and personal insurance. Certainly, at present, Parsian Insurance is the largest private insurance in Iran insurance companies in terms of capital (four thousand billion Rials) and the share of the private insurance market.

Contact details:

Website: http://www.parsianinsurance.ir/
E-mail: info@parsianinsurance.com
Address: No. 22, Qobadiyan St., Valiasr Ave., Tehran, Iran
Postal code: 1969633391
Phone: +98 21 8259

– Pasargad Insurance

Pasargad Insurance Company was established in 2006 by Pasargad National Financial Group in order to provide insurance services in the field of life and non-life insurance (direct and reinsurance). This Insurance Company is active throughout the country, and it has 85 branches, 925 staff members, 2800 general agents, and 29000 marketers only providing life insurance sales services. It is active in a wide set of insurance and reinsurance areas including life, medical, cargo, and automobile.

Contact details:

Website: https://pasargadinsurance.ir/en/
E-mail: info@pasargadinsurance.ir
Address: No. 2, Hasht Behesht St., Dr. Fatemi St., Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98 21 82489

– Tejarat-e No Insurance

Tejarat-e-No Company, with the support of reputable shareholders, including Tejarat Bank, Post Bank of Iran, Iran Razavi International Company, Parsian Oil, and Gas Development and Iranian Investment, started to work in May 2016. It aims at providing specialized services in various branches. Since its establishment, the company has been trying to be among the top choices of customers and economic activists of the country by benefiting from the knowledge and technical expertise of its employees and using the most advanced technologies in the form of a knowledge-based, creative, and responsive company. It has 30 active branches and 230 staff members providing services throughout the country. Above all, the main areas of activity include fire insurance, vehicle insurance, liability insurance, engineering insurance, cargo insurance, and life and investment insurance.

Contact details:

Website: https://tejaratinsurance.com/
E-mail: info@tejaratins.com
Address: No. 4, Dibaji Alley, North Shariati St., Tehran
Phone: +98 21 74528

– Taavon Insurance

Taavon Insurance Company has been operating since 2007 with the aim of bringing the banking sector and insurance activities together and entering the country’s monetary and financial markets. This company tries to take firm steps in this industry by using specialized and distinguished managers and experts of the country’s insurance industry and providing a platform for delivering technical, specialized, and experimental services. Its fields of activity include vehicle, third party, fire, medical, life, liability, engineering, and foreign travel. It has 24 branches, 478 agencies, and 234 staff members across the country.

Contact details:

Website: https://www.taavon-ins.ir/
E-mail: info@taavon-ins.ir
Address: No. 22, 6th Alley, Ghaem Magham Farahani St., Shahid Beheshti St., Tehran
Phone: +98 21 4208621

– Hekmat-e Saba Insurance

Hekmat Saba Insurance Company started its activities in 2016 with a large shareholder base. The company has the largest number of shareholders in terms of the number of real shareholders (over 152,000 people) and has entered the field of insurance with an initial capital of 2,500,000,000,000 Rials. Other major shareholders are Hekmat Iranian Bank, Caspian Airlines, Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Hekmat Iranian Bank, employees. It has 26 branches, 319 agencies, and 193 employees. The areas of its activity include vehicles, fire, accidents, cargo, transportation, complementary therapy, life, engineering, and liability.

Contact Insurance:

Website: https://hsinsur.com
E-mail: info@hsinsur.com
Address: No. 6, Alvand St., Argentina, Rachel Cory St., Tehran
Phone: +98 21 41395000

– Dey Insurance

Dey Insurance Company (a public joint-stock company) started operating in 2004. With the help of specialized and experienced experts in the insurance industry and also the expansion of its sales network in all parts of the country, the company has constantly tried to provide optimal and desirable services to its customers. Dey Insurance company has 50 branches, 9 agencies, and 466 employees. They provide individual, life, fire, engineering, persons, liability, transportation, and vehicle insurance policies.

Contact details:

Website: http://www.dayins.com
E-mail: contact@dayins.com
Address: No. 239, Mirdamad Blvd., between Naft and Modarres
Postal code: 1918955311
Phone: +98 21 2313

– Razi Insurance

Razi Insurance Company started to work in 2003 with a capital of 140,000 million Rials, which reached 2,000 billion Rials in 2014. It became a public company in 2013. Razi Insurance Company has 36 branches, 1050 agencies, 653 life insurance sales centers, and 470 employees. They provide marine insurance, engineering insurance, vehicle insurance, and life insurance. Special cases are also a part of their business. Also, they have foreign travel insurance policies.

Contact details:

Website: https://razi24.ir
E-mail: info@razi24.ir
Address: No.14, 13th St., Gandi Ave., Tehran
Phone: +98 21 81942

– Zendegi-e Khavaremiane Insurance

The establishment of this company was followed by the idea of a specialized company with a focus on life insurance. It has only one branch because it is newly established (2016) and has 140 members. The goals of the founders, who are among the entrepreneurs, experts of entrepreneurship, and representatives of the real private sector in Iran, are to create a change in the life insurance industry, spread a far-sighted culture by focusing on target markets, and identifying the real needs of different people. Transparency in activities will lead to flexibility and customer orientation. Providing reassurance and peace of mind to Iranians and securing their future and ultimately helping the national economy are among the company’s ultimate goals. It has 613 agencies and 55 employees.

Contact details:

Website: https://www.melico.ir
E-mail: info@melico.ir
Address: No. 70, Seventh Street, Khaled Eslambouli St. (Vozara), Argentina Square
Phone: +98 21 41363000

– Saman Insurance

Saman Insurance Company was established in 2004. It is part of Saman Financial Group and was established with the help of private investors. Its areas of activity include vehicles, fire, complimentary medical insurance, life, travel, supplementary retirement, civil liability, employer liability, physician liability, construction liability, contract risk, machine failure, domestic cargo, import, and transit. The company has 664 employees.

Contact details:

Website: https://www.si24.ir
E-mail: complain@samaninsurance.ir
Address: No. 40, Seyed Jamaluddin Asadabadi St., Tehran
Phone: +98 21 8943

– Sarmad Insurance

Sarmad was the last insurance company that received its license from the Central Insurance in 2013 as the 29th Iran insurance companies. Its major shareholders are Shahr Bank and Saderat Bank. The company’s activities are as follows: vehicle, life (Sepehr Sarmad), cargo, fire, responsibility, engineering, medical and travel abroad, life, accidents, special, Nasim, and travel comfort. This company has 38 branches, about 1000 representative offices, and 246 staff members.

Contact details:

Website: http://www.sarmadins.ir
E-mail: info@sarmadins.ir
Address: No. 113, First Floor, Sepehr Africa Building, Arash Gharbi St., Esfandiar St., Africa Blvd., Tehran
Phone: +98 21 43954000

– Sina insurance

Sina Insurance Company was established in 2003. Its shareholders are the Foundation for the Underprivileged of the Islamic Revolution, Alavi Foundation, Persian Gulf Electricity Export Company, Farhangian Investment Company, Sina Leasing Company, and Sina Investment. Its areas of activity include individuals, liability, engineering, special cases, automobiles, cargo, fire, and life. Sina Insurance Company has 51 branches, 199 life insurance agents, and 613 staff members.

Contact details:

Website: https://www.sinainsurance.com
E-mail: CRM@Sinainsurance.com
Address: No 225, Mirdamad Blvd., between Northern Naft St. and Modares Expressway, Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98 21 28377

– Kar Afarin Insurance

The company was founded in 2003. It is one of the first private Iran Insurance companies after the revolution. Its areas of activity are liability, fire, vehicle, engineering, individuals, special cases, life and investment, cargo, and reinsurance. It has 58 branches, 1847 agencies, and 483 employees.

Contact details:

Website: https://www.karafarin-insurance.ir
E-mail: Karafarin @karafarin-insurance.ir
Address: No. 5,17th. Alley, Qasir (Bucharest) St.Tehran 1513846911, Iran
Phone: +98(21) – 42594

– Kowsar Insurance

Kowsar Insurance Company is active in all matters of commercial insurance, including property, persons, liability, and engineering. The company’s capital has increased from 2,500 billion Rials after several increases to 3,527 billion and 777 million Rials. Kowsar Insurance Company has joined the family of the insurance industry with the aim of creating change and providing different and superior insurance services with a service-oriented approach and emphasizing the expansion of life insurance. This Company currently has 8 branches, 31 supervisors, more than 700 agencies, and 417 employees across the country.

Contact details:

Website: http://kins.ir/
E-mail: info@kins.ir
Address: Argentina Square, Alvand Street, No. 24
Phone: +98 21 89382

– Ma Insurance

This insurance company is registered with the support of Mellat Bank, as well as other legal and real investors. Its areas of activity include liability, fire, vehicle, engineering, persons, special projects, lifetime and investment, freight forwarding, reinsurance, and special cases. It has more than 40 branches and 2,000 representatives across the country.

Contact details:

Website: https://www.bimehma.com
E-mail: Info@bimehma.ir
Address: No 9, Vanak St, Vanak sq, Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98 21 8690

– Moalem Insurance

Moalem Insurance was established in 1994 with the aim of developing export affairs. In 1986, its shares were transferred to Moalem company, and it expanded its activities (life insurance and non-life insurance activities). Its areas of activity include vehicles, cargo, ships, aircraft, fire, life and living, engineering, liability, and the third party. It has 4071 representatives and 67 branches.

Contact details:

Website: https://www.mic.co.ir/fa/
E-mail: info@mic.co.ir
Address: No. 44, Sharifi Alley, Valiasr St., Tehran (Shahid Bani Ardalan Building)
Postal code: 1969943541
Phone: 88795051

– Mellat Insurance

Mellat Insurance entered the industry in 2003. In addition to operating in various fields, it also issues international insurance policies with the cooperation of foreign companies. Its areas of activity include life, persons, automobiles, fire, cargo, aircraft and ship, special liability and insurance plans, engineering and energy, reinsurance, and credit. Also, the company has 316 employees.

Contact details:

Website: http://melat.ir
E-mail: info@melat.ir
Address: No. 697, Saeedi Alley, Enghelab St.
Phone: +98 21 85333

– Mihan Insurance

Mihan Insurance was established in 2008 with the cooperation of several companies, including Saman Mohit Company and Saba Deposit and Investment Company, which is affiliated with the Social Security Investment Company. Its fields of activity include life and investment, vehicles, individuals, special cases, cargo and fire, professional liability, reinsurance, engineering, and travel abroad. Further, the company has 40 branches, 450 agencies, and 279 employees.

Contact details:

Website: https://www.mihaninsurance.com
E-mail: info@mihaninsurance.com
Address: No. 90, 28th St., Shahid Khaled Eslambouli St., Tehran
Phone: +98 21 88480515

– Novin Insurance

Novin Company was established in 2005 with support from Eghtesad Novin Bank and a number of other companies. Its areas of activity are fire, liability, engineering and energy, individuals, automobiles, special cases, cargo, and groups of individuals. The company has 36 branches, more than 1,400 representatives, and 545 employees.

Contact details:

Website: https://novininsurance.com
E-mail: info@novininsurance.com
Address: Tehran, Mirdamad Blvd., Madar Square, Shahid Sanjabi St. (Behrooz), Corner of 1st Alley, No. 11
Phone: +98 21 22 27 77 75

• Free Trade Zones Insurance

– Iran Moein Insurance

Iran Moein insurance company started operating in 2004. Its main activity is free zone insurance coverage. The insurance policies offered are freight, fire, engineering, liability, persons, car, life, and medical. It has 11 branches, 138 staff members, and 133 representatives.

Contact details:

Website: bimc.ir
E-mail: info@bimc.ir
Address: No. 7, 5th Alley, Ahmad Ghasir St., Tehran
Phone: 021-88108071

– Asmari Insurance

This company was established in 2012. Its focus is on insurance activities in the free zones, with the exception of issuing travel insurance policies for the insured outside the free zones. It has one active branch in Tehran and 7 in the free trade zones of the country.

Contact details:

Website: http://www.asmari-insurance.com
E-mail: info@asmari-insurance.com
Address: No. 19, 11 Shahab St., South Gandi St., Tehran
Postal code: 1517756611
Phone: +98 21 43417

– Hafez Insurance

Hafez insurance company started operating in Kish in 2002. Its sales networks are active in free trade zones. In the field of compensation, 11 payment centers are operating in different areas for this insurance. Its areas of activity include life, accidents, supplementary treatment, automobiles, fire, transportation, freight, liability, engineering, vessels, aircraft, energy insurance, money insurance, and reinsurance.

– ITA P&I CLUB

ITA P&I CLUB started in 2012 with the aim of providing coverage for ships and ship owners. It is active in the field of marine insurance.

Contact details:

Website: –
E-mail: –
Address: No. 56, Shahid Haqqani Blvd., Vanak Square, Tehran
Postal code: –
Phone: +98 21 88661362
Fax: –

– Kish P&I Club

This company became one of the Iran insurance companies in 2011. They work in the field of marine insurance with the aim of covering third parties and compensating ship owners in this field. Other services include the issuance of a guarantee and the provision of insurance consulting services to ship owners.

Contact details:

Website: http://www.kishpandi.com/
E-mail: info@kishpandi.com
Address: No-82, 2nd Floor, Soltani St., Nelson Mandela Blvd, Tehran, Iran.
Postal code: 19677-13955
Phone: +98 21 26201831-3

Social Insurance Organizations

The Social Security Organization (SSO) is a social insurance organization in Iran. It provides a wide variety of services to the general public. In other words, workers, the elderly, and the poor are among its main customers. SSO is a non-governmental organization, and it is funded through contributions. The self-employed and freelancers can also benefit from protection by paying a certain amount for the kind of protection they need. The Health Insurance provided by SSO is one of the widely used insurance policies in Iran.

Active associations of the Insurance industry in Iran

The following is a list of active associations in the system of the insurance industry in Iran:
• The National Association for Employers’ Unions of Iran Insurance Representatives
• The Association of Asia Insurance
• The Association of Asia Insurance Representatives – Tehran
• The Association of Alborz Representatives and Insurance Services
• The Association of Alborz Insurance Representatives
• The Associations of Alborz Insurance
• The Association of Dana Insurance Representatives
• The National Association of Parsian Insurance Representatives
• The Professional Association of the Insurance Industry
• The Association of Professional Claim Adjusters
• Official Insurance Brokers Association

 Different types of insurance

1.Property Insurance

Property insurance provides coverage for property owners or renters who are likely to experience damage to their assets. Homeowners, renters, and fire, vandalism, earthquake, and flood insurance policies are among the examples of this type of insurance. When the damaging event happens, the insurance company makes up for part of the loss. The insurer makes sure that people cannot take advantage of this kind of insurance. For example, you cannot set fire to your house and claim compensation, and that is why intricate regulations exist regarding this type of insurance.

Cargo insurance

Cargo insurance protects the people who want to transfer shipments against all risks of physical loss or damage to freight during the time that the shipment is taking place. These cases of loss originate from external causes during shipping, for example, pirate attacks, accidents, and storms. The insurer makes up for the loss according to the policy.

Import/Export insurance

One of the widely used insurance policies is the import/export insurance policy. If you are trading with other countries, you need to make sure that you are not going to be exposed to risks due to conditions that are out of your control. For example, you need to make sure that you will be compensated if your goods are damaged during a riot in the destination country. This type of insurance is very common among the companies that are involved in international trades, and different stages of import/export are covered by this type of insurance.

Transit Insurance

The transit insurance policy makes sure that the items that are moved from one place to the other are safe throughout the way. To clarify, it is similar to the cargo insurance policy, and the only slight difference is that this kind of policy is sometimes used for smaller items.

2. Travel insurance

Travel insurance is a policy that provides coverage for the loss or damage experienced during travel, locally or internationally. For example, when you are on a trip, you might be attacked by robbers, you might fall ill or you might lose your belongings due to unforeseen events. These and similar cases are why travel insurance matters. The majority of Iran insurance companies provide travel insurance if you plan to make a trip to Iran. In addition, there are internationally famous insurance companies, such as World Nomads, that provide popular travel insurance policies.

3. Health supplementary insurance

We all know that the costs of medical treatments are going up on a daily basis. In fact, getting medical care is expensive beyond the financial capacities of many individuals nowadays. Insurance companies in Iran provide health insurance policies that cover the basics, but most of the time we need to make sure that, in case of a need for extensive medical care, the costs would not be a matter of concern. This is the rationale behind health supplementary insurance in Iran. You can pay for the supplementary insurance policy and rest assured that, if anything serious happens, a considerable portion of the costs will be covered by the insurance company. Recently, this insurance policy has extended to cover cancer and infertility cases.

4. Vehicle insurance

Vehicle insurance is a type of insurance policy that financially protects individuals’ vehicles if they are damaged in traffic accidents or if an incident happens in the vehicle. There are three types of vehicle insurance policies in Iran. The most common one is the vehicle body insurance, which compensates the damage imposed on the body of the vehicle and some of its internal parts. In addition, the second one is third-party insurance, which protects the vehicle owner against legal liabilities arising from injuries to other people during the accident. Moreover, the last type of vehicle insurance is supplementary insurance, which covers all the basics that are not covered by the previous two types of policies. For example, your vehicle might get stolen or get damaged during something that is not essentially an “accident”. These are covered by supplementary insurance. Some insurance companies cover the injuries of the owner, too.

5. Liability insurance

Liability insurance protects individuals against the risks of liabilities that arise from lawsuits when people or properties receive injuries. These types of policies usually cover both the cost related to legal procedures and any payouts that must be made after the courts.

6. Special cases insurance

There are some types of risks and events that the majority of people do not experience them. Therefore, there is little demand for insurance policies when it comes to these risks and events. For example, not many people are likely to buy insurance policies for airplanes, ships, very large amounts of money, and energy-related products like fossil fuels. The insurance companies in Iran cover these items under the title of “special case insurance”. Airlines, shipyards, and banks are among the prominent customers of this kind of insurance policy.

7. Engineering insurance

Engineering jobs are mostly among high-risk jobs in the world. We have all heard about engineering accidents resulting in a wide range of undesirable outcomes. Iran insurance companies provide policies to cover any kind of damage or loss arising from the risks in engineering environments and activities. Therefore, people and assets involved in such activities are financially protected against all kinds of risks threatening the lives of the physical items of the project.

8. Theft insurance

Theft insurance is a type of insurance policy that makes up for the losses arising from the theft of property and assets. For example, you might lose your diamond ring or an amount of money to a theft incident. This kind of policy is popular and concerns the people who keep valuable items in their houses or whose property is exposed to theft risks. Iran insurance companies provide theft insurance under homeowner insurance policies and also so in a separate form.

9. Factory shutdown insurance

A factory shutdown may be the result of various incidents. For example, a shortage of raw materials, industrial risks, maintenance, and economic conditions may lead to the closing down of a factory. Iran insurance companies offer factory shutdown policies to cover for the losses incurred by the closing down of factories.

10. Nuclear attack insurance

While a nuclear attack is not the most probable thing to happen, there is a kind of insurance policy that provides coverage for such an unlikely event. In fact, in countries around the world, terrorism insurance policies are relatively popular. Similar to these kinds of policies are war risk insurance policies. Whether you consider a terrorist attack an act of terrorism or an act of war, you can be sure that there are policies offered by Iran insurance companies in this regard.

11. Livestock and cattle insurance

This is an insurance policy suitable for the people who own farms or factories related to producing animal-related products. The most common risk that is covered by animal insurance policies is related to cattle or livestock disease. There are, of course, other dangers that threaten livestock. Some insurance companies provide coverage for the death of animals under conditions such as farm fire or storm.

12. Airplane insurance

Airplane insurance is a special case because only airline owners seek to buy insurance policies for airplanes. Since they are really expensive,  insurance is highly necessary for them. Iran insurance companies thus offer policies that provide coverage for airplanes in case of plane accidents. The accidents could be plane crash, terrorist attacks, and damages due to unexpected weather conditions.

13. Individual insurance

– Life insurance

Life insurance is a general insurance policy according to which the insurer pays an agreed amount of money to the individual at a certain point in time. There are several types of life insurance which are explained later in this article.

– Incident insurance

Incident insurance provides coverage for the losses incurred during events such as traffic collision, falling from a height, and working with dangerous tools. However, these are not the only incidents that could happen. This insurance policy also covers educational, sports, tourist, travel, and hard work-related incidents too. Policies can be for individuals or groups. It does not have to be a one-year contract, and it changes depending on what you do. By paying extra premiums, you can add the damage caused by war, earthquakes, martial arts, etc.

– Medical insurance

Medical insurance policies cover a wide range of treatment costs incurred by illness, injuries, and health-related issues. Most people own at least one type of health insurance due to the usually high costs of medical care.

14. Social insurance policies

– Health insurance

Most countries provide insurance coverage for health issues in the form of social security insurance. These types of policies usually back by governments, and governments force institutions to provide such policies for their workers. The lower tiers of the society are usually the largest group who benefit from such policies due to the low rate of premium.

– Social security insurance

Social security insurance policies are also backed by governments. They provide coverage for workers. Workers’ lives are financially more sensitive to economic conditions, and social security insurance protects them against a variety of uncertainties such as losing their job or some legal liabilities.

15. Life insurance

– Whole life insurance

Whole life insurance provides coverage for the entire life of the insured and is passed on to the heirs after the insured dies. The insurer pays an agreed amount of money to the insured or the heirs at a certain point in time and when the contract matures. The main condition is that, as long as the person benefits from the coverage, they should pay the premiums as stated in the policy. There could be a maturity date after which the insurance policy ends, but this is up to the insured to determine.

– Term life insurance

Term life insurance, or pure life insurance, makes the insurer pay an agreed amount of money if the insured dies within a defined period (term). The insurer pays the money to the heirs.

– Mixed term and whole life insurance

Term blending is also another option where you can mix term and whole life insurance. The premiums of whole life insurance are mostly set aside to be paid when due. Term blending can work to the benefit of both the insured and the insurer in that a larger part of the premiums can be used by the insurer to invest, and the insured is usually paid more money when the policy conditions are met.

– Life annuity

The life annuity is a series of payments that the insurer pays to the insured at fixed intervals. Its policy is on during the lifetime of the insured and ends when they die.

– Retirement insurance

The policies of retirement insurance ensure that the insured receives fixed interval payments after he/she retires. Since it makes it possible for the person to fund a whole life insurance policy above its premium base, it is a good deal for many people.

– group life insurance

Group life insurance policies provide coverage for a number of people rather than one person through a single contract which covers the entire group. Usually, this kind of policy is provided by an employer for a group of people who work for him/her.

If you want to have business travel to Iran to set up a business or just to have fun, rest assured that Iran insurance companies provide all kinds of policies that you may need. They are reliable, well-managed, responsible, and diverse in the service they provide. Plus, purchasing insurance policies in Iran is a far more reasonable deal compared to international companies when it comes to comparing the prices.

The post All the details about Iran Insurance Companies appeared first on Easy GO Iran.

Iran is a 4-season country and contains different folks with different traditions and customs. This differentiation affects their food taste too. But among these diverse Iranian foods, you can find some common dishes in each city and town between different folks that have routs from ancient Persia. One of them is “Fesenjoon” which is a one of the most popular Iranian dishes from Gilaan and Mazandaran province and has different recipes in each city. “Fesenjoon recipe” is so popular all around the world, also, it is called “Walnut and Pomegranate stew” in English.

Fesenjoon one of the elegant dish in Persian Cuisine

This Iranian food is made of pomegranate molasses and toasted walnuts, and the final sauce can have sweet and sour flavor based on your taste and the recipe. As the sauce cooks, it thickens and deepens to a shade of dark brown and you’ll need to thin it out with water to prevent it from becoming overly sticky and syrupy. Do not worry about its points and process! In this article, you will learn some different Fesenjoon recipe and methods of this elegant dish step by step.
Iranians usually serve Fesenjoon over baked rice as a main dish and it could be cooked and served on any occasion, either for formal parties or friends and family gatherings.

Method 1: Fesenjoon recipe with Duck

This recipe is usually cooked and served in the north of Iran. As whereas they have a different taste in the food, they make this dish sour and with duck, goose, or chunks of meat. Especially they make it with duck and goose in hunting season, and at other times they use red meat or turkey. They use sour wild plum (Greengage) molasses to flavor it, instead of pomegranate molasses. You can find this Fesenjoon recipe below.

Ingredients of Fesenjoon with Duck

3 large yellow onions, 2 chopped
3 tablespoons oil
2/5-3 tablespoons plum molasses
300 gr walnut halves
1 duck, cut into medium size pieces with skin
4-5 cups duck stock
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
Salt
Eggplant

Step 1.

In the first step put the pieces of duck in a well-sized pot and add 5-6 cup water over medium-high heat. When the water is boiling add turmeric and one peeled onion, then let it cook for 2 hours over medium-low heat. When it is tender put it aside and remove from stock.

Step 2.

In a food processor grind the walnut until you have a tan-colored walnut paste. With the processor running add chopped onions, process them until you have a smooth paste.

Step 3.

Set a large pot over medium-high heat and when the pot is hot, add oil and the walnut and onion paste. Spoon the walnut paste evenly and toasted it and then add plum molasses and continue for 2-3 minutes.

Step 4.

Add 4-5 cups of duck stock to toasted walnut paste. Let them cook for 1/5-2 hours over medium heat, and become a shade of dark brown sauce. Evenly check the sauce, stir and thin it out with water or stock to prevent it from becoming overly sticky and syrupy.

Step 5.

Half an hour before serving, add baked pieces of duck and sprinkle salt to the sauce and simmer for the final 30 minutes. Keep stirring regularly — the sauce should be thick, but not so thick that it sticks to the bottom of the pot, so add a splash of water as needed to prevent burning.

Step 6.

This step is optional and depends on your taste. Peel the eggplants and halve them lengthwise. Marinate them with salt and turmeric. Then put a pan over the heat and when it becomes hot, add oil and fry the eggplants finely on all sides.

Step 7.

When the Khoresh Fesenjoon is well-cooked, transfer to a serving dish and garnish with fried eggplants. Serve it and enjoy it over Persian saffron rice.

Method 2: Fesenjoon recipe with chunks of lamb

This recipe is good for people whose preference is chunks of red meat in the food. Depending on the recipe, it can have a sweet or sour taste, but in this recipe, we want to learn you the sweet-and-sour taste; the sweet taste comes from sweet pomegranate molasses and sour taste from plum molasses.

Ingredients of sweet-and-sour Fesenjoon with chunks of lamb

2 large yellow onions
3 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons plum molasses
4 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
300 gr walnut halves
500 gr Chunks of lamb, cut into medium size pieces
3-4 cups of water
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
Salt
Suger

Step 1.

Peel the onions and process them in the food processor. Transfer them to another dish and start to process the walnuts until to have a walnut paste.

Step 2.

Put a pot over medium-low heat and when it gets hot, start to toast the minced onions with 3 tablespoon oil until slightly golden. Then add turmeric to it and stir for just a few more minutes. In the meantime add the walnut paste, toast it and evenly spoon it to prevent burning. Continue about 2-3 minutes until lightly brown and fragrant. Browning is the key to a smooth sauce as it helps with the release of nut oil.

Step 3.

Add meats to blender contents and continue heating until the meat pieces get golden brown on all sides. Add about 3-4 cups of cold water gradually to the toasted flour and stir simultaneously. In this way, you prevent forming lumps. Cook, covered, for about 60 minutes.

Step 4.

Mix sweet pomegranate molasses plum molasses. Thin them out with water and pour it to the contents of the pot and stir a bit. Let simmer gently, covered, for about 3 hours over medium-low heat, until the nut oil released. Stir approximately every 30 minutes to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Step 5.

In the last 30 minutes sprinkle salt, and sugar if you want it tastes sweeter. Stir for a few minutes and then let it continue simmering covered.

Step 6.

Take a look at the stew. If it’s thick as well, the meat is tender, and you can see a thin layer of oil floating on the top, your food is ready to serve and you have followed the mentioned Fesenjoon recipe as well.

Point:

If the meat is tender but the mixture does not have the desired thickness, remove the meat from the stew, and then continue heating uncovered over medium heat for a few more minutes and let the sauce thicken. Before serving, you can add the meat again.
This is optional but some Persian cooks recommend the addition of a few ice cubes in the final stages of cooking for a sudden temperature drop, which helps with an oil atop final stew.

Step 7.

Transfer the stew in your desired serving dish and you can garnish it with pomegranate seeds.
Bon appetite!

Method 3: Fesenjoon recipe with Chicken and Pumpkin

In this method, you can use pumpkin as a sweet flavoring and for the thickness of the stew. Here you learn sweet Fesenjoon recipe with chicken.

Ingredients of Fesenjoon with Chicken and Pumpkin

2 large yellow onions
5-6 tablespoons sweet pomegranate molasses
500 gr walnut halves
1.5 kg boneless skinless chicken thighs and/or breasts, trimmed of excess fat, cut into medium size pieces, patted dry and salted
3-4 cups of water
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
3-4 tablespoons Suger
Pumpkin, cut into small cubes and pieces
Oil
Salt

Step 1.

Put a pan over medium-high heat and when it gets hot, start to fry the chicken pieces with oil until all pieces get golden brown on all sides. In the meantime start to ground the walnut and onions in the food processor. First process all the walnuts and then add the peeled, cut onions to it, and process together in order to have a smooth paste.

Step 2.

Now pour the paste into the pot and toast it with chicken pieces over low heat until slightly brown. At this time sprinkle the turmeric. While toasting, stir the flour constantly, otherwise, it burns quickly. And don’t make it too brown because it’ll give a bitter taste to your food.

Step 3.

Add 3-4 cups of cold water gradually to the contents of the pot and stir constantly to have a smooth blender. First, increase the heat to medium-high and add sweet thinned pomegranate molasses. Then add the sugar to the stew and stir finely. When the stew starts to boiling decrease the heat to medium-low and let simmer for about 80 minutes. During this time do not forget to check and stir the stew every 20 minutes to prevent sticking the mixture to the bottom of the pot.

Point:

According to your taste you can increase or decrease the amount of sugar. Also, if your pomegranate molasses is sweet it’s not necessary to add more sugar.

Step 4.

While the stew is simmering, start to toast the pumpkin cubes with oil over medium heat. All sides should get golden brown. Then set them aside.

Step 5.

After passing 80 minutes of simmering, sprinkle the salt to the taste and stir. After that arrange the fried pumpkins on the stew in a single layer and let to continue cooking covered for the next 30 minutes. Do not forget to stir the mixture!

Step 6.

Check the stew, if the chicken is tender, its thickness is desired and there is a thin layer on the top; the stew is prepared. You can serve it in a suitable dish.
But if the chicken is not tender well, you can cover the pot and cook for 30-45 more minutes over medium-low heat. And stir the stew and in the case of necessity thin it out with a little water to prevent it from becoming overly sticky and syrupy.

Points:

If the chicken is tender but the stew has not good thicken remove the chicken pieces from the stew. And now continue heating until your desired thickness and the nuts oil released on the top of the stew. Before serving add chicken pieces to the stew again and let boil together uncovered for 1-2 minutes.

Method 4: Fesenjoon recipe with Meatballs

Fesenjoon with meatball is one of the most common recipes in different cities. In this recipe, ground veal is used instead of poultry or chunks of lamb. This method is as delicious as previous ones and has its fans, especially those who do not like to taste chunks of meat in the food. Based on your interest you can make it sour or sweet, but here the recipe is about sweet-and-sour.

Ingredients of Fesenjoon with Meatballs

3 medium-sized yellow onions
5-6 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
300 gr walnut halves
500 gr ground veal
3-4 cups of water
1 teaspoons turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Suger
2-3 tablespoons oil
Salt

Step 1.

Before all peel 2 onions and grate them. Then mix it with ground veal and add salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon turmeric. Now pat the meat and make small meatballs. Put a well-sized pan over medium heat and fry the meatballs. Toast them well on all sides. Now put them aside.

Step 2.

In this step, you should process the walnuts in the food processor to have a silky paste. Then peel 1 onion and grate finely.

Step 3.

Put the pan you want to make the stew into, over the medium heat. When it becomes hot pour oil into and start to toast the onions finely until it becomes golden brown. Now add the paste of walnut and toast for about 2-3 minutes. Spoon and stir evenly to not burn. Just it should get lightly brown; browning helps with the release of nut oil.

Step 4.

Now add pomegranate molasses and stir a bit to toast it with walnut paste and onions. After that, add cold water. Increase the heat to medium-high until the blender starts to boil. Then cover it and over low heat, let to simmer for about 2 hours. During simmering stir the stew constantly.

Step 5.

After 2 hours when the nut oil released, sprinkle a little salt to the taste and add toasted meatballs. Continue cook covered for 30 more minutes and do not forget stirring. In the case of requirement, to prevent it from becoming overly sticky add cold water.

Step 6.

Check the stew and based on your desire you can add 1-2 tablespoons sugar o have sweeter stew. Uncover the pot, increase the heat to medium, and let the sauce thicken and boil for another 10 minutes. Now the Fesenjoon Khoresh is ready, transfer it to the serving dish, and enjoy it over Persian rice.

This Persian dish is more preferred and served during cold seasons but many people cook and enjoy it in any season. Almost Fesenjoon Khoresh is served over saffron Persian rice and besides it, you can have yogurt, green salad and, drink Doogh.
During your travel to Iran, try not to miss this elegant dish with the methods of Persian cooks.

The post How Persian cooks give Fesenjoon recipe? appeared first on Easy GO Iran.

The belief of Iranians about Nowruz eggs

Nobody is sure about the first time when Nowruz eggs appeared on the Haftseen table. However, Nowruz eggs, as we know them today, come from eastern Europe. Some people believe that these eggs are originally Christian. Yet there is evidence to the contrary. For example, there is a decorated egg belonging to the iron age II! (You can see the picture below).

Iranians put eggs on the Haftseen table as part of a long-standing tradition. This is a symbol of hope, fertility, and growth. A promising year, filled with joy and happiness, is upon the Persian community, and the eggs promise this. Furthermore, they create a colorful mood that everyone can remember later into the year, a mood of flourishing and fruitfulness.

Different sizes of Nowruz eggs

Nowruz eggs are not necessarily chicken eggs. Eggs of different birds are common. People decorate goose eggs, quail eggs (which are themselves decorated in a natural, beautiful manner), and eggs of many other birds. In fact, putting eggs of different sizes on the Haftseen might give it a more charming look. Some people believe that using artificial eggs, like plastic eggs and wooden eggs, is better. They are not a violation of animal rights, and you can find all sizes. Plus, you can use different stuff to decorate them, some of which may harm a natural egg.

Be careful to not break your Nowruz eggs

If you use natural eggs, breaking them is unpardonable if they are going to be Nowruz eggs. You have to be careful not to break them because this ruins everything. There are some ways to make sure the egg is hard enough for decorating. In Iran, the common practice is to boil the eggs before decorating them. Sometimes, people boil eggs with edible colors or with colorful food to give them colors. At other times, they boil eggs and let them cool. Then, they paint the cold egg and decorate it with different stuff.
Another way to be careful is by putting small holes on the top and bottom of the egg, carefully draining the internal stuff from the egg. Then, you can carefully fill the egg with anything to make it resistant against breaking. In the following section, you’ll learn more about decorating eggs.

A family play with boiled Nowruz eggs

If you travel to Isfahan, Mazandaran, Tehran, Shiraz and many other cities, when the new year starts, family members eat the Nowruz eggs, which were boiled a few hours before. They even play a game before eating it. They hit their eggs softly to one another’s eggs to see which one breaks first. The one whose egg breaks first is the loser.

Different ways of designing and coloring Nowruz eggs

Decorating eggs have different ways and methods. Also, that is the matter of taste. Here in this section we want to learn you some of these ways and you can choose them according to your desire.

1. Coloring Nowruz eggs with tissues or napkins

You can easily make this beautiful, colored egg with patterned napkins. To do this, you need wood glue, paper towels with floral patterns, and eggs. First, cut the corners of the napkin flowers such that you’ll end up with a circular napkin. Then, mix the glue with a little water. Dip a napkin into the mix and gently place it on the egg. Allow the glue to dry completely. Now, the decorative egg is beautifully prepared for the Haftseen table.

2. Make colored eggs with Gheytoon (a type of elastic string)

It is better to make this type of decorated egg with a plastic egg. Drill a hole at the top of the egg. Tie one end of the “Gheytoon” and insert it into the hole from the other end. Then, put glue around the egg. Next, start wrapping the Gheytoon around it. When the string reaches the middle of the egg, cut it and repeat the whole process on the other side of the egg.

3. Colorful Nowruz eggs

You can boil eggs along with vegetables, or in the juice made with a mix of different things. In the mix, you can have spinach, parsley, onion peels, pomegranate, and barberry juice to turn the eggs purple, green, and pink.
You can also use gold or silver paint spray to color them evenly. Or, you can boil them in coffee to turn them brown. Then, you can simply put the eggs in a tray or basket and, if you want, decorate the tray or basket with a ribbon.

4. Using Nowruz eggs as tree ornaments

Pierce the sides of the egg with a needle so that you can drain the eggs. Then, paint them in any way you want, and pass colored threads or ribbons through them. You can finally hang them as small ornaments to a small tree that you can put next to the Haftseen table for the Persian New Year.

5. Attaching banknotes

You can use fake or real banknotes attached to the eggs. Then, children will be happy when you give such a gift to them. Just note that if you stick real banknotes on the eggs to give children, use honey for attaching them so that the banknote is easily separated and is not torn when getting off.

6. Big, fake Nowruz eggs

You can use big, fake eggs that are filled with toys and other gifts. You can also use coins and candy to fill the eggs. These eggs could be a great gift for both children and adults. Such eggs are available off-the-shelf, in different forms and shapes, but you can make them at home too.

7. Writing on the eggs

If you have good handwriting, it would be a good idea to write on your Nowruz eggs. For this method, first, you should color the eggs by the ways are mentioned then you can write some spring poems or New Year pray on them.

8. Confetti, glitter, and other stuff

Confetti and glitter are great when you don’t want to use color. To use them, you can put glue on your egg and then put it in a bowl of glitter and/or confetti. Golden or silver glitter is more popular. You should boil your eggs before doing this.

9. Do not forget buttons, beads, threads and specially dried spring flowers

Similar to confetti and glitter, there are many other stuff you can use. You can use buttons, beads, threads, and whatever you have left from your used clothing articles. The stickers that children use are also great for decorating eggs because they will give children lots of a great time playing with the eggs.
Dried spring flowers are another way to go. You can use this with wood glue or even honey if you want everything to be organic.

10. Another idea with newspaper, paper, and fabric

You can use paper and fabric too. For example, you can design flowers or stars on fabric or paper and cut your designs to glue them to the egg. In the same manner, using pieces of newspaper or magazine pages and arranging them on the surface of the eggs creates a special design.

11. Use your daughter nail polishes!

Another great thing to use is nail polish. Put some nail polish in the water at room temperature. Then, put the eggs in the mix. Remember to clean your hands after this process.

12. Use watercolor to color your Nowruz Eggs!

Here are some great ideas. These ideas are slightly different from the ones in the previous section because they need a different method. The first one is using watercolor. First, paint your egg with watercolor. You can spray the watercolor on eggs using a water sprayer. Then, draw on it with a black or red pencil. Of course, we recommend that you leave this task to your child. Your eggs will have a great design and your child will be very happy!

13. Make stony eggs!

The second one is making eggs that look just like stones! To do this, you must first boil the egg, then tap it with a teaspoon to break the skin into pieces. Remember to tap so that the skin does not fall to the ground. Then, put the egg in the tea and soy sauce mixture and see the result. Generally, an interesting idea for decorating eggs is to use the skin of broken eggs. First, put the egg yolk in a bowl and then stick the egg pieces back together.

14. Beautiful colored eggs with useless crayons!

Finally, you can benefit from using crayons. You can make beautiful colored eggs with old and useless crayon pieces. Spread greaseproof paper on the bottom of the oven tray, then cut out the crayons and pour them sporadically over the paper. Then, place it in the oven on medium heat for 5 minutes. When you remove the tray from the oven, you will see that the pencils have melted. Roll the egg on it so that the egg will get the colors on.

Painted eggs or Easter eggs in other countries and cultures

Decorated eggs are common in Easter when people celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Easter is close to Nowruz in time and shares some similar traditions with it. Decorating eggs is one of the similarities. In this section, we’ll take a look at these eggs.

– Ukrainian Pysanky

Pysanka (plural: pysanky) means to write or to inscribe. These are Ukrainian decorated eggs. Ukrainians make pysanky with beeswax, and the decorations are, in fact, writings. An old belief exists in the form of very old legends about pysanky: as long as people continue to write pysanky, the world will keep on its existence; however, when people stop that, evils will destroy the world.
There are many superstitious beliefs wrapped around pysanky. Some believe that keeping them in the house will bring good luck and keep demons at bay. Ukrainians believe that pysanky hold magic. So, when you discard them, you have to do it carefully because an evil magician might find them and use them to the destruction of the world!

– Russian orthodox celebrations

The Russian Easter egg tradition is ancient. It goes back to pre-Christian ages when eggs were symbols of fertility (like in Persian culture). Eggs have always, and across all cultures, symbolizing the renewal of life, a flow that never stops. When Russian orthodoxy began to replace older traditions in Russia, eggs became part of Christian symbolism which was not common before. Red eggs, for instance, remind Christians of the blood of Christ. But the color red has older, and one might say stronger, symbolism in Russian culture and all Russians love red. You ever wondered why that place is called the “Red” Square?

Eggs part of Christian symbolism in Russia

People in Russia may use their nails to crack eggs as a symbol of Christ’s suffering on the cross, which is a very physical way of remembering something. Plus, unlike Iranians who take into account each member of the family when they decorate eggs, only one egg is cut into pieces for the Easter table—so each family member takes only one piece, and not one whole egg. Also, Christian orthodox traditions are very similar to Russian orthodox.

– Italian Pupa con l’uovo

Italian Easter bread, with eggs in the middle, are both cute and delicious. They are very popular around the world, going beyond the borders of Italy. Bread has very strong symbolism within Christianity, and pupa con l’uovo (which means pupa with eggs) are in fact cookies that remind you of the body of Christ (next to the wine, which symbolizes Christ’s blood).

– Lenten Fasting

Lent is a period of 40 days before Easter, when, if you’re over 21, you may avoid eating meat in the form of fasting. Then, you’ll break your fast with eggs. It usually begins on Ash Wednesday, which is six and a half weeks before Easter and continues up to Easter. But you are free on Sundays (for eating meat, of course). It is a symbol, and also a reminder, of Jesus Christ’s fasting.

– Greek people and Kokkina Avga

In Greece, women traditionally paint eggs with onion skins and vinegar (mostly to make them red but other colors too). This happens on Thursdays and the day of Communion. The name of these ceremonial eggs is Kokkina Avga. They are red for reasons which we mentioned before. They are also part of Easter and are served along with bread.

Decorated eggs are common in Iran only in Nowruz time. So, you can take them with you as souvenirs if you are in Iran at the same time. But Nowruz eggs are only a small part of the bigger, fantastic picture of the Persian New Year. If you are planning to be on an Iran cultural tour at Nowruz, do not forget to explore the beauty of egg coloring traditions in different cities of Iran along with visiting and experiencing other cultural aspects of Nowruz.

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Eram Garden a sample of noble Iranian garden

On the map of Iran, Eram Garden is in the northwest of Shiraz, a short distance from the northern mountains of Shiraz (Babakuhi). On its south side, the dry river Shiraz can be seen from east to west. Eram is an authentic Iranian garden. Built around the tenth century, the garden contains several monuments and the Botanical Garden of Shiraz University.

Why it is called “Eram Garden”?

It was first called the Royal Garden because it was built by the Seljuk kings. Since it is one of the most beautiful Iranian gardens, and it is unique in many ways, it is now called “Eram”. “Eram” is the Persian equivalent of the Arabic word “Iram”, which means “paradise” in Islamic books and the Koran. Given the beauty of Eram Garden, this is a very suitable name.

The atmosphere of the garden

The garden area is 110380 square meters. One of the most interesting parts of the garden is the passage in the middle of the garden. It connects the eastern area to the western, with tall cedar trees on either side. You will find a variety of trees in this garden, and the cedars are probably the most fascinating. The atmosphere of this garden in the spring is mesmerizing.

Tracing the history of Eram Garden during different eras

Iran cultural tours suggest Eram Garden for a reason. It existed in the days of the Seljuks and Al Inju. It seems that King Sanjar built it because he built many other Iranian gardens during his reign. At the time of Zandiyeh, Karim Khan Zand tried to build and refine this garden, like other attractions of Shiraz that were rebuilt at the time of Zandiyeh. In the late Zandiyeh dynasty, the Qashqai tribe owned this garden. At the time of Fath Ali Shah Qajar, the first Ilkhan Qashqai and his son, Mohammad Qoli Khan, built its interior. Many flowers and trees were planted by the Shah’s order. At the time of Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar, Mirza Hassan Ali Khan Nasir al-Molk bought the garden and built the current mansion in the place of the previous building and the garden has become in Qavami family’s possession.

Mohammad Hasan-e Memar the architect of this noble mansion

Haj Mohammad Hassan Khan – known to many as Mohammad Hassan Memar, was one of the most famous architects of Shiraz. He designed the building similar to Nasir ol-Molk Mosque in Shiraz. After that, Abulqasim Khan (the nephew of Nasir ol-Molk), Abdullah Qavami’s son, sold it back to the Qashqai tribe.

-Pahlavi period in Eram Garden history

At the time of Pahlavi, due to the support that the Qashqais provided for Mossadegh, the government exiled them and confiscated the garden. This garden was later transferred to Shiraz University (owned by the Faculty of Law). The Cultural Heritage Office renovated it in 1979. In addition to the maintenance of the building, the walls of the garden were replaced by stone walls with a protective wall. Eram Garden Mansion, built during the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar, has features similar to that of other buildings such as that of Zandiyeh and Safavid architecture. Currently, the place is open to the public. The designers used the poems of Hafez, Saadi, and Shurideh Shirazi in the decoration of the building.

The architectural features of the main mansion in the garden

The main building of Eram Garden of Shiraz is a relatively complete representative of mid-Qajar buildings. The facade tilework is a complete imitation of the images on the walls of one of the Safavid buildings. In front of the building, there is a large pool. The building has three floors and 32 rooms with a gable roof and a porch with a flat roof. The basement rooms are a place to relax on the hot days of summer, with running water passing by you in the middle of the room. So, the crypt was a great place to live in summers. In the decorations of these rooms, the designers used colorful tiles. The upper two floors have columns inspired by Persepolis.

-The ground floor of the mansion

The ground floor has a main hall in the middle. People know this hall as “Hozkhane”. On the two sides of Hozkhane, there are two corridors. At the end of both corridors, there are staircases. On either side of the corridors are two large halls. Adjacent to the south side of the kitchen is a large kitchen.

-The second floor of the mansion

The second floor of the mansion has two tall pillars in the middle of a large veranda. Behind this porch, there is a large hall. On either side of it, there are two corridors with two Gooshvars over the top and Chahartaq (four arches) are on both sides of the corridors. On each side of the large porch are two small porches to the east, behind which are sashes. Each porch has two small integrated stone pillars. Also, in the north and south end of the mansion, there are two corridors.

-The architecture of the central porch

The front porch of the central porch and its surroundings are one of the most interesting tilework of the Qajar period. It is not seen in other buildings of the same period. In Qavam al-Maliki divan or the other interior decorations of the Qajar period, you can’t find anything such as the front porch inscriptions of Eram Garden. It is truly unique.
Nasir ol-Molk left behind invaluable monuments in Fars, including Nasir ol-Molk Mosque, Nasir ol-Molk House, and Eram Garden.

The creative innovations in designing of the mansion

The central veranda and the two verandas surrounding it are architectural masterpieces. The tiles of the porches are one of the most interesting artworks of the Qajar period. Its mansion with fascinating carvings and oil paintings are among the most valuable and important monuments of Shiraz. As mentioned earlier, the porch consists of three parts (one main large porch and two small porches), each with a variety of designs and paintings made of tile.

-Designing of the main porch

The middle floor, which is a large veranda with two columns, is decorated with tiles showing an image of Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar riding on a white horse. There are also red flowers around him. You can also see an image of the Sassanid king, Khosrow.
When Shirin, the Armenian princess, was bathing, and Khosrow, the Persian king, was passing, an encounter happens between them leading to passionate love. On the right side, there is a story from the Koran and the Bible: the moment Joseph enters the palace of Zulikha, when all the women are amazed at her beauty, cutting their hands with a knife. You can also see poetry by Ferdowsi and Nezami written in calligraphy on the walls.

-The tilework of the small porches

One of the small porches depicts Darius the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid empire. This figure is used as a symbol of Persepolis. The other small porch shows a picture of a deer and a cheetah in a hunting fight. The exterior of the building consists of 8 engraved two-meter tall stones, two of which represent the image of Qajar soldiers. There are 6 other stones, with Nastaliq inscriptions from Nasir ol-Molk and engravings by Mirza Ali Naqi Khushnevis.

The 6 stone inscriptions that had gone down in the history

Eram Garden is one of the works belonging to the Nasser al-Din Shah period with the current building built by Nasir ol-Molk. In this case, several inscriptions remain in different parts of the garden from Nasir ol-Molk.

There are six inscriptions in the garden which are almost unique in the entire Iranian architecture. These stone inscriptions contain information about the garden presented in the form of poetry. On two of these inscription stones, for example, you will see poems by Shoorideh Shirazi. These inscriptions contain things like the date of building the garden, the man who build it, and the king in whose time the garden was built. The main purpose of these inscriptions is to record the gradual process of building and then repairing the garden.
Another interesting thing about the inscriptions is the bas relief of the Achaemenid soldier. It is on the third inscription stone. The purpose of this design is to give the garden an air of ancient Persian culture, but many believe the bas relief is not as good as what you see in Persepolis. Overall, these inscriptions are unique in terms of design and purpose, even though you may find similar works from hundreds of years ago still erected here and there in Iran.

Eram Garden, the botanical garden of Shiraz

The variety of plants in this garden is remarkable. That is why it is known as Shiraz Botanical Garden. All kinds of plants from all over the world are planted in this garden.

Garden with two classes of trees; non-fruit and fruit

The trees in the garden are usually divided into two classes: non-fruit trees such as cedar, pine, maple, bismuth; and fruit trees such as citrus trees. Plus, you can see a variety of ornamental shrubs, flowers, and vegetation throughout the garden. At the far end of the Garden, there is a rocky garden of 5,000 acres, covered with a variety of rocky plants. During the development of the Garden, the builders planted a variety of rose flowers in the west and northwest sides of the garden. This section is unique in terms of diversity, even in comparison with the surrounding countries. There are approximately 300 species of roses in this garden, in fact, only two or three other rose gardens like this in the world.

Shiraz cypress or “Sarv-e Naz” from the Persian poetry to Eram garden

One of the most famous attractions in this garden is its tall cedar. In fact, many know Shiraz as the home to cedar trees, but among all these cedar trees, Shiraz cedar, or “Sarv-e-Naz”, is a specific tree found only in Shiraz. It has a worldwide reputation. This cedar is more than forty meters tall. Some experts estimate its lifespan to be over a thousand years.
In fact, this cedar is Shiraz’s oldest cedar. Great poets such as Hafiz and Sa’adi likened their companions to the cedar in their poetry. The cedar in the simile is, in fact, “Sarv-e-Naz”, a word that people now use to mean amazing beauty in the Iranian language.

The water supply of the garden and the secret of being green for long times

In ancient times, the pool in front of the mansion was deeper and the water supplying the garden came from the “Great Creek” aqueduct. The water then flowed into the pool, passing through the mansion’s crypt and into the small and large canals around the garden, and continuing on its way into the streams in the heart the garden. In this way, the trees and plants were irrigated. Water is still flowing into these pools and ponds, feeding the garden like the past. The water flow in Eram garden is also a sign of dynamics and life.

Eram Garden a UNESCO World Heritage site

Due to the unique features of the Garden and the unique work of its architects, the name of this garden has been in the National Monuments List since November 4th, 1974. The garden is one of the nine Iranian gardens to be listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It was listed as a symbol of Iranian gardens at the 35th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, June 27, 2011.

While you are taking a deep breath in the garden, enjoy other entertainments

Eram Garden is a unique blend of history and nature, so taking a walk in this paradise setting can make you feel great. In addition, you can experience wearing traditional Iranian clothes and take pictures to make it a lasting memory. You can also buy different souvenir of Iran in this garden, both for yourself and your loved ones. And, in the end, there is nothing more enjoyable than eating Faludeh Shirazi in this heavenly atmosphere.

The best time to visit Eram Garden

The best season to visit is spring. So, March, April, and May are the best months to be here. Early autumn can also be a good idea in terms of weather and the natural atmosphere. In summer, although the garden is as beautiful as in spring, the warmth of the weather may not be a pleasant experience for many of us. In winter, the garden has a tragic beauty that is closer to the mood of ancient Iran, but it is also our recommendation to experience the unique nature of the garden in spring.

Eram street, the street of romantic dating

It is the seventh street in the world for romantic encounters. Walking on this street is one of the attractions of Shiraz in all seasons. The beauty of the street is doubled in autumn and the mood is different, as the whole street is covered with fallen leaves. By the order of Shiraz municipality, autumn leaves should not be taken from the street.

Have a pleasant stay in Shiraz

Since Shiraz is a tourist town, you have a variety of choices to make in terms of accommodation. These choices are available to you at different prices. One of them can be the Zandiyeh Hotel, which is in the historical and old texture of the city. This 5-star hotel is a great place to stay. Shiraz Grand Hotel, located at the entrance of the city and near the Quran Gate, is also a good choice.

Where is the best choice for having delicious food in Shiraz?

Shiraz is home to many great restaurants. Haftkhan restaurant, for example, which is an internationally famous restaurant, attracts many tourists and locals every day. This restaurant has 7 sections, each devoted to a very special Iranian dish. Kateh Mas is another nice place to get delicious food. Sharzeh Restaurant, close to Vakil Bazaar and Mosque, hosts numerous tourists every day with its exemplary food. You can also find many cafes around the town to spend mornings and evenings with great Iranian and international food.

Almost any Shiraz travel guide recommends a long visit to Eram Garden, a visit you will always remember. No word is there to describe that awe-inspiring experience you’ll get when you see Sarv-e-Naz. So, make sure to plan for a visit to Eram Garden when you’re traveling for pleasure next time.

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