[custom_adv] Shab-e Yalda is a festival celebrated on the "longest and darkest night of the year", Yalda is a winter solstice celebration, that is, in the night of the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice. [custom_adv] Calendrically, this corresponds to the night of December 20/21 in the Gregorian calendar, and to the night between the last day of the ninth month (Azar) and the first day of the tenth month (Dey) of the civil calendar. [custom_adv] The longest and darkest night of the year is a time when friends and family gather together to eat, drink and read poetry (especially Hafez) until well after midnight. [custom_adv] Fruits and nuts are eaten and pomegranates and watermelons are particularly significant. [custom_adv] The red color in these fruits symbolizes the crimson hues of dawn and glow of life. [custom_adv] The poems of Divan-e Hafez, which can be found in the bookcases of most families, are read or recited on various occasions such as this festival and Nowruz. [custom_adv] Shab-e Yalda was officially added to Iran's List of National Treasures in a special ceremony in 2008. Light-hearted superstitions run high on the night of Chelleh. [custom_adv] For instance, it is believed that consuming watermelons on the night of Chelleh will ensure the health and well-being of the individual during the months of summer by protecting him from falling victim to excessive heat or disease produced by hot humors. [custom_adv] In Khorasan, there is a belief that whoever eats carrots, pears, pomegranates, and green olives will be protected against the harmful bite of insects, especially scorpions. Eating garlic on this night protects one against pains in the joints. [custom_adv] In Khorasan, there is a belief that whoever eats carrots, pears, pomegranates, and green olives will be protected against the harmful bite of insects, especially scorpions. Eating garlic on this night protects one against pains in the joints.