The victim of palm: Remains of Tammuz rituals

Sacrifice has been always one of the most current ritual practices in Iran. Nowadays, in Iran, the concept of victim is limited to blood sacrifice, but in some areas of Iran, such as the south, southwest and desert margins such as Khor, Biyabanak and Tabas, this ritual is totally current during the return of the pilgrimage from God’s house, at the wedding ceremony and more importantly everyone sacrifices the palm tree before the first day of new Year and the Farvardin 13th. In this article,  By relying on historical, mythological and symbolic studies, the author showed that the principle of the palm tree’s sacrifice  is rooted in the fertility rituals of the mythology of the changing season (spring equinox), especially the Tammuz, because the palm tree is the symbol of  Tammuz which is the god of Mesopotamian martyrdom. The rituals of Tammuz are also similar to the sacrifice of palm in several respects: the main character in both ceremonies is Tammuz. In ancient ritual of Tammuz, the palm is crystalized as a victim god (martyr-resurrector) and in today tradition is represented as the symbol of fertility (the cycle of death – nature’s tradition). Both ceremonies are held at 1st Farvardin and ordibehesht. Tammuz has been based on fertility. In popular beliefs, it is also emphasized that cottage cheese, palm cheese, palm fruit and other components are effective in improving men's sex and fertility. Another important point is that the ritual is collectively organized on the ground (Nakhlestan). The baking of bread is also a common tradition of both religions.