Red Wednesday: A Day of Creation, Renewal and Faith in Yazidi Tradition

Kurdistan 09:37 AM - 2026-04-15

Yazidis new year celebration.

Red Wednesday (Çarşema Sor) is a sacred day in the Yazidi calendar, marking the New Year and the Day of Creation. It is celebrated on the first Wednesday of April (or after 14 April in the Gregorian calendar), commemorating the completion of the earth and the arrival of sunlight, which is said to have turned the sky red. The day also honours Tawisî Melek (Melek Taus), the chief of the seven archangels in Yazidi theology.

Theological Significance

Red Wednesday represents the divine moment when the earth was created, and light first reached it. Yazidis believe Tawisî Melek, the guardian of the world, played a central role in creation and continues to guide humanity. The day embodies light, life, and spiritual renewal.

Sacred Observances

Throughout the month of Nîsan (April), Yazidis avoid activities that disturb nature, such as ploughing or tree-cutting, to preserve the earth’s sanctity. On Red Wednesday, they rise early to pray towards the sun, seeking blessings for all living beings. Homes are adorned with red flowers and dyed eggs, symbolising creation and renewal.

Traditions and Celebrations

The festivities begin the evening before, with families gathering and sharing traditional foods, such as sesame bread and coloured eggs. Charity is a vital part of the celebration, with feeding the poor seen as an act of honouring Tawisî Melek.

Other Yazidi Festivals

The Yazidi community observes six major festivals annually, each with its own unique customs and spiritual significance. In addition to Red Wednesday, the Feast of Tawisî Melek (Jamayi) in October is the holiest occasion, marked by a pilgrimage to the sacred site of Lalish. December sees the Fasting of Tawisî Melek, followed by the Feast of Êzî (Ezi Day), which honours God. Batzmi (the Baptism Festival) occurs in spring, symbolising ritual purification, while Sere Sal, the Yazidi New Year’s Eve, precedes Red Wednesday with prayers and preparations for the upcoming year.

The Yazidi Community Today

The Yazidi population in Iraq is estimated to be between 500,000 and 700,000, primarily residing in the northern towns of Sheikhan and Sinjar, near the Syrian border and approximately 80 kilometres from Mosul. They also inhabit numerous towns, villages, and settlements across the Zakho and Smel districts in Duhok Province. Additionally, Yazidis live in other parts of Kurdistan, such as Erbil and areas near the Kurdish regions of Syria. Outside Iraq, significant Yazidi communities can be found in Syria, Türkiye, Armenia, Georgia, and in Europe, particularly in Germany, where many sought refuge after facing persecution.


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