Women wear white

Do women wear white Chador in Iran?

No, almost all the women in Iran who wear chador, wear a black color one. Varzaneh is the only city in Iran that women wear white chador instead of a black one. That’s why Varzaneh is known as the “Whitest city in Iran” or “the city of White angels”.

Why do women wear white in Varzaneh?

There are three main reasons considering for this tradition:

1. Economical

Most of the men in Varzaneh are farmers and cotton has been always one the most growing crops. Since the white chador is made of cotton so it was very cheaper for people to produce their chadors from the crop growing by themselves.

2. Geographical

Varzaneh has a warm dry climate. So it would be so difficult to wear black chador for women. Therefore, that could be also a reason why women wore white.

3. Religious

Before Islam spreading in Iran, people were following Zoroastrianism and Zoroaster women wore white as a tradition. There are some signs in Varzaneh that shows people of this region were following Zoroastrianism:

a) The Jame mosque of Varzaneh is built on a fire temple (fire temple is where Zoroasters pray and celebrate).

b) The dialect of people in Varzaneh is the same as zoroasters in Yazd.

c) There is a fire temple in Hasan Abad village just close to Varzaneh.

So according to the signs, this can be also said that the “white chador” is a Zoroastrian tradition that is still alive in Varzaneh. There is no one following Zoroastrianism in Varzaneh region now though.

Do women wear white even when traveling to another city?

No, when they are traveling outside of Varzaneh they wear black just like other cities. This tradition stands only when they are inside or around the city.

Are the younger generations following this custom?

Unfortunately no, only a few of them are following this custom. So maybe in 50 years we’re not gonna see many ladies in white in the city.
As the younger girls should study in larger cities like Esfahan and it’s hard to be pointed as a young girl so they find the white one more stylish and more comfortable.

Is there any special day in Varzaneh celebrating this tradition?

Yes, 5th of Mehr in Persian calendar (27th of September) which is the same day as the “World Tourism Day”, is registered in the national calendar (not everybody knows this) as the day of “white chador ladies of Varzaneh”. In this day white chador ladies get together in a place. Also some gifts will be given to younger girls who wear white chador to encourage them to keep the tradition alive.

Is there any symbol for this tradition in the city?

Yes, there is a statue to the honor of this tradition in Kobra square in West part of the city. You can see it in the photo below.