Ancient Water Rituals in Markazi Province

The present study investigates the ancient water rituals in Markazi Province and aims to respond to the question of how the rituals glorifying water affect the local identify of the region, people’s solidarity, protection of spiritual heritage, and unity of generations in this regions. The findings of the study indicate that certain ancient rituals, such as Chemche-Galin, Tirgan, Arousiy-e Qanat (Wedding of the Aqueduct), determining the female or male nature of the water of aqueducts, Arous-e Ab (Water Bride), placing an upside down shovel under a downpipe, placing a shovel in the waterways of houses, and Bil-gardani (turning some tied-together long shovels in each hand over the head), have granted a magical nature to water in the minds of the people living there. From another point of view, water and the desire for it themselves are the origins of various rituals signifying the fear of drought more than anything else. Water has healing effects, and the locals respect springs and view the trees beside them as the symbols of greenness and holiness. The common roots of water rituals can also be observed in other regions of Iran. Changing the water of small pools and cisterns, presence of water in Sofreh Aghd (an elaborately decorated wedding spread), Haft-sin (an arrangement of seven symbolic items whose names start with the letter pronounced as “seen” at Nowruz), and similar customs all demonstrate Iranians’ ”س“ belief in water’s being animate and playing a significant role in increasing everyday blessings.