Ritual Overview
In May, coinciding with the blooming of Mohammadi roses (Damask roses), female relatives—mothers, grandmothers, and aunts—gather to prepare for the ceremony. They pick fresh roses at dawn, reciting poems and Quranic verses, and spread the petals on a white cloth.On the day of the ceremony, the baby is bathed, sometimes adorned with henna, and then gently placed among the rose petals. The women lift the cloth’s corners, softly rolling the infant while singing lullabies and offering blessings for health and happiness
 Cultural Significance
Rooted in the ancient Iranian myth “The Smiling Flower,” the Gol Ghaltan ceremony symbolizes purity, joy, and protection. It’s believed that the rose petals’ freshness safeguards the baby’s skin and wards off illnesses. Post-ceremony, families often dry the petals, preserving them in prayer rugs as keepsakes
 Timing and Regional Variations
Traditionally held on the tenth day after birth for spring-born babies, the ceremony adapts for those born in other seasons, often using frozen petals saved from spring. While Amirieh is the ceremony’s heartland, variations exist across Iran, such as in Khafr County, Fars Province, where daffodils replace roses, and the ritual occurs in winter
 Visitor Information
Tourists can experience the Gol Ghaltan ceremony during the rosewater distillation festival (Golabgiri) in May. Festivities include local music, traditional games, and exhibitions of regional crafts. Visitors are welcomed to observe and sometimes participate, offering a unique insight into Iran’s rich cultural tapestry