Besides releasing green plant shoots on rivers, a version of the western ‘April Fool’ known as ‘Lie of the Thirteenth’ is observed on the day and typically involves playing pranks on others. Other fun activities marking the day include singing, dancing, chattering, playing games, and for the young singles, tying knots in the grass, hoping that doing so would bring them spouses — a practice that also has strong affiliations to religious myth. Iranian foods like ‘Sekanjabin’ (a drink made from vinegar and honey) and ‘Ash-e Doogh’ (yogurt syrup) are generally consumed on this day.
