Wherever water has flowed, civilization has flourished. It is no exaggeration to call water the foundation of human settlement and culture. In Iranian thought, water is one of the four sacred elements—alongside wind, fire, and earth—whose absence or scarcity brings hardship and struggle. Since ancient times, it has rightfully been called the source of life. And in these hot days, nothing feels more vital than speaking of cool, pure water.
Dr. Mahmoud Rouholamini, born in Kuh Banan, Kerman, shared: “The sacred nature of water is known to many, but I have felt it with every part of my being. I was born in a dry land where people were always in search of water and never allowed even a single drop to be wasted.”
An anthropologist who has spent decades studying Iranian culture and ways of life, Dr. Rouholamini understands deeply why water holds such a central place in Iranian customs and worldview.
Yet, he notes, today we often forget its true value—carelessly spraying this vital element on our cars or letting it spill across tiles and pavements, blind to its life-giving essence.
Dr. Mahmoud Rouholamini explained: “Seventy percent of the human body is composed of water. It forms a vast part of our very being, just as it covers much of the earth. Nearly three-quarters of the planet is water, yet it remains the most precious substance of life. Its abundance has never diminished its value.”
Speaking about how Iranians have cherished water through their customs, Rouholamini noted that although these practices share common roots, they also differ according to geography, climate, and local conditions. He continued: “Water flows through every part of human life. It is not limited to a single day, a festival, or a ceremony. It stands for purity and is linked to the goddess Anahita, whom ancient Iranians regarded as the guardian and protector of water. They chose a goddess for this role because she symbolized purity and virtue.”
For thousands of years, Rouholamini added, Iranians have sought water from the depths of the earth—digging qanats and guiding it into daily life. “The site of the first qanat is called the ‘mother of qanats,’ because the word ‘mother’ itself carries sanctity. Iranians saw the sacredness of water and the reverence for motherhood as one and the same, blending them so neither would ever be forgotten. After all, can one forget a mother? A mother brings comfort, just as water soothes and sustains the soul.”
Always seen in his white attire, Dr. Mahmoud Rouholamini dedicated 30 years at the University of Tehran to teaching what he had discovered in the depths of Iranian culture and traditions. He explained: “We pour water behind travelers as they leave, saying water is light so they will return quickly. While doing so, we also speak our wishes aloud, for we believe water—clear and pure—helps bring our hopes to life. In Khuzestan, there are still communities who bathe in the waters of the Karun River. While immersed in the river’s flow, they raise their hands to the sky and share their prayers and desires. Water is the essence of life’s endurance and strength. It is the foundation of humanity. Persian literature often describes mankind as shaped from water and clay.”
In October 2002 (Mehr 1381), Dr. Rouholamini was recognized as Iran’s Distinguished Figure in Anthropology at the second Eternal Figures conference. He is the author of numerous influential works, including Around the City with a Lamp, Foundations of Cultural Studies, Ancient Ceremonies and Festivals in Today’s Iran, and Culture and the Language of Dialogue.
In Ancient Ceremonies and Festivals in Today’s Iran, he writes: “Seasonal celebrations are found among nearly all nations and communities. Folklorists and anthropologists often trace their origins to harvest times, the beginning or end of agricultural work, or to natural and occupational changes such as shifts in climate. Over time, these celebrations gradually take on local, ethnic, national, or religious character.”
He noted: “During the Tirgan festival, Iranians would sprinkle water on one another, seeing it as a symbol of good fortune. Tirgan was celebrated on the day of Tir in the month of Tir. In the sweltering summer heat, people took joy in this act while also raising their hands in prayer, wishing for rain and plentiful water. This festival was once observed across Iran, with each region adding its own local touches, yet the central theme—appealing for water—remained the same.”
He reflected on the enduring nature of Iran’s customs: “The traditions and celebrations of this land run deep. They do not disappear easily but evolve over time, adapting to cultural, geographic, and temporal changes. Rediscovering their original form is not always simple.”
Rouholamini’s own home reflected a life spent traveling across Iran, witnessing its sacred landscapes and meeting countless communities—people who, throughout history, have struggled against drought and water scarcity.
He also highlighted the cultural reach of Greater Iran, extending beyond today’s borders: “The Armenians, for instance, are an Indo-European people of Aryan descent, sharing roots with us. This shared heritage is evident in many traditions. They also celebrate a water-splashing custom, which, like ours, takes place in the month of Tir.”
In his book Ancient Ceremonies and Festivals in Today’s Iran, Rouholamini describes a similar water-splashing tradition among Armenians:
“This Aryan festival, widely celebrated by the Aryans—especially Iranians—long before Christ, continues today among Iranian Armenians and other Armenian communities worldwide, taking place every year in June, which corresponds to the Iranian month of Tir.”
In ancient Iran, during Nowruz, people welcomed the new-year guests with mirrors and rosewater. Rosewater—water infused with the essence of roses—symbolizes purity and sacredness combined with fragrance. Even in this simple act, people would express their wishes for health, happiness, and a prosperous year for their guests.
Iran, being largely arid and historically an agricultural land, has long inspired people to look to the sky and seek water. Of course, the ways of searching for water varied: a Kurd might climb mountains with a vessel and a stick, while a Baluch might carry a child across the plains—but the underlying intention was always the same: the quest for water. Although a comprehensive study of all the ethnic groups and their water-related traditions in Iran has yet to be done, the sacred significance of water can be seen clearly in the practices and expressions of its people.
Rouholamini reflected on this enduring connection, saying: “May God protect this land from falsehood, from enemies, and from drought.”
This interview originally appeared on the front page of Amordad, Issue 188, Tir 1387 (July 2008).
