December 4, 2005

Esfand

Throughout the area once covered by the Persian empire, a type of herb seed called Aspand, Espand, or Esphand [wild rue] is burned on charcoal to rid children of the Evil Eye . A short verse is recited as the smoke is circled around the child's head. Aspand is also used to bring blessings after one has performed a sorrowful rite, such as attending a funeral >>> Full text

Winners: Simin Habibian (Sad Afarin!), Kaveh Feiz (Sad Afarin!) and Simin Hemmati-Rasmussen (Sad Afarin!)

The person who wins the most number of daily quizes in a month will be awarded a book valued at up to $50 from Mage Publishers and their name will be enshrined in the Column of Champions! Second-place winner will receive the comic book "Rostam tales from the Shahnameh".

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