Ancient Persian ritual of rolling babies in roses

Gol Ghaltan, literally meaning rolling in flowers, is an ancient Iranian ritual which is still practiced in the north-central Iranian province of Semnan.  

This sweet and exhilarating ritual of rolling babies in roses is believed to be a symbol of bringing blessings to the family of a newborn.

There is this old Iranian myth called ‘The Smiling Flower’ which is said to have roots in Gol Ghaltan custom. ‘The Smiling Flower’ believes pure and holy humans promise the birth of a child.

People in Amirieh and Damghan counties of Semnan holds the idea that rolling babies among the roses keeps the filth and diseases away from the baby while the freshness of the petals brings them joy and refreshment.

The custom is pursued by rolling the babies in the petals of very sweet-smelling kinds of flowers, best known as Mohammadi roses, in the first spring of their lives.  

The Gol Ghaltan ceremony is performed by the baby’s mother, grandmas, and aunts in spring when the rosewater distillation festival AKA Golabgiri (making rosewater) is underway.

The flowers are picked early in the morning before the ceremony begins and then the petals are separated and poured into a light, white cloth.

On the day of the ceremony, as the baby is dried, he/she is placed among the flowers on the cloth, and petals are poured on the babies, wishing them health and long life.

Next, women take four sides of the sheet and roll the baby among the petals while reciting religious songs and waving the sheet back and forth, believing the soul will be cleansed and the child will be kept healthy and fresh.

The guests put their gifts near the cloth while being served with sweets and tea.

The ritual was inscribed on the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2010.

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