Sacred Springs and Holy Waters in the Folk Culture of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari
Document Type : پژوهشی اصیل
Authors
1
PhD student in Persian Language and Literature, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
10.48311/cfl.2026.86481.0
Abstract
Water has been regarded as a valuable and sacred element among most nations and cultures, and polluting it has traditionally been considered a sin. In ancient Iran, Anahita was revered as the goddess of water. This divine figure was believed to be the guardian of all waters, and people honored her through worship and sacrificial offerings. The present study examines sacred springs and holy waters across various regions of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province using a descriptive–analytical method combined with field interviews conducted with elderly narrators and knowledgeable local informants. The research seeks to document the beliefs and practices associated with these sacred waters and springs. Findings indicate that among the thousands of seasonal and permanent springs in the province, a
number of them hold a special status in the eyes of local communities. These springs are viewed through a sacred lens, and people attribute specific beliefs to them. Among the most significant examples are the Ab-Morad Spring of Cholicheh, Aqa Seyyed Khoye Spring, Khizr (Haj-Khedr) Spring of Sar Aqa Seyyed, Hajat-Sar Pir Spring, Owghar Spring near the shrine of Imamzadeh Hamzeh Ali, Molla Ali Kouh Spring, and Pir-e-Ghar Deh Cheshmeh Spring. Beliefs associated with these sacred waters include healing properties, curing illnesses, swearing oaths upon flowing water, seeking wishes, preparing ritual foods such as āsh and kāchi beside the springs and distributing them among people, cooking āsh-e reshteh on Chaharshanbe Suri and pouring it entirely into the spring, sacrificing sheep or roosters near the water, determining the gender of an unborn child, drinking or bathing in the water, pouring it over the heads of infertile women to promote fertility, lighting candles, and placing sprouted greens (sabzeh) beside the springs for blessing.
number of them hold a special status in the eyes of local communities. These springs are viewed through a sacred lens, and people attribute specific beliefs to them. Among the most significant examples are the Ab-Morad Spring of Cholicheh, Aqa Seyyed Khoye Spring, Khizr (Haj-Khedr) Spring of Sar Aqa Seyyed, Hajat-Sar Pir Spring, Owghar Spring near the shrine of Imamzadeh Hamzeh Ali, Molla Ali Kouh Spring, and Pir-e-Ghar Deh Cheshmeh Spring. Beliefs associated with these sacred waters include healing properties, curing illnesses, swearing oaths upon flowing water, seeking wishes, preparing ritual foods such as āsh and kāchi beside the springs and distributing them among people, cooking āsh-e reshteh on Chaharshanbe Suri and pouring it entirely into the spring, sacrificing sheep or roosters near the water, determining the gender of an unborn child, drinking or bathing in the water, pouring it over the heads of infertile women to promote fertility, lighting candles, and placing sprouted greens (sabzeh) beside the springs for blessing.
Keywords
Subjects
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Interviewee List
Amirian, B. (b. 1972). resident of Farsan, bachelor’s degree, schoolteacher.
Bakhshi-pour, F. (b. 1972). resident of Kojan, bachelor’s degree, schoolteacher.
Bakhtiari‑zadeh, K. (b. 1953). resident of Deh Cheshmeh, illiterate, homemaker.
Bozorgnia, Sh. (b. 1956). resident of Deh Cheshmeh, illiterate, homemaker.
Fathi, R. (b. 1966). resident of Hafshejan, associate degree, retired teacher.
Ghiyasi, M. (b. 1981). resident of Kandeman, M.A., university employee.
Hasan pour, S. (b. 1974). resident of Farsan, bachelor’s degree, retired teacher.
Hosseini, A. (b. 1951). resident of Dezak, illiterate, homemaker.
Jabari Tanha, A. (b. 1990). resident of Shahriar, M.A. student, schoolteacher.
Kazemi, H. (b. 1953). resident of Sheikh Shaban, middle‑school education, retired.
Kazemi, R. (b. 1984). resident of Sheikh Shaban, bachelor’s degree, Basij member.
Lalehgani, Sh. (b. 1937). resident of Dezak, illiterate, homemaker.
Mahmoudi, Kh. (b. 1933). resident of cholicheh, illiterate, farmer.
Mahmoudi, M. (b. 1951). resident of Deh Cheshmeh, illiterate, farmer.
Mahmoudi, M. (b. 1953). resident of Deh Cheshmeh, 3rd‑grade education, driver.
Mirahmadi, N. (b. 1936). resident of Shalamzar, 5th‑grade education, self‑employed.
Mokhtari, S. (b. 1948). resident of Chohicheh, illiterate, farmer.
Nafar, J. (b. 1951). resident of Shalamzar, high‑school diploma, retired.
Najafi Sarpiri, A. (b. 1979). resident of ShahreKord, bachelor’s degree, teacher.
Norouzi, M. (b. 1925). resident of Cholicheh, illiterate, farmer.
Razavi, A. (b. 1991). resident of Baba Heydar, M.A. student, schoolteacher.
Rezaei, T. (b. 1946), resident of Dezak, illiterate, homemaker.
Riahi, M. (b. 1938). resident of Cholicheh, illiterate, homemaker.
Saberi, M. (b. 1983). resident of Suri, bachelor’s degree, self‑employed.
Salehi, M. (b. 1948). resident of Cholicheh, 5th‑grade education, former shrine custodian.
Salehi, T. (b. 1956). resident of Cholicheh, illiterate, homemaker.
Shahrokh, A. (b. 1966). resident of Farrokhshahr, M.A., university employee.
Shahrokh, S. (b. 1935). resident of Farrokhshahr, 5th‑grade education, retired.
Yeganeh, H. (b. 1976). resident of Shalamzar, M.A., cultural heritage employee.
