Traditional Persian Games Part 2
Written by Celeste Halliwell with Ali Siees
Persian Games
Perceptions around playing games in childhood are considered to promote advantages in overall growth of mental, physical, personal, and social ability that contribute to children’s learning processes. Furthermore, playing games in the classroom are presently believed to garner learning ability and personality growth through social relationships beginning in childhood [1].
The Persians believe there is an educational and economical component to games; such that social aspects of moral virtues, friendliness, and forgiveness are learned, which are rewards of playing games. Educationally, competition, cooperation, savings, and ownership are also aspects learned while playing games. The skills of playing include “strengthening to find spirit of independence, cooperation, collaboration, joy and happiness, patience, reconciliation with nature, creativity and entertainment.” Games overall, offer practice of moral values, willpower, mutual consent and their essences of flexibility [2].
Prior to the advent of computer games and many families moving into smaller apartments, children would run home after school to play traditional games. These games are known to foster teamwork, focus and creativity in light of the entertainment and social camaraderie among children [3].
Playing traditional Persian games was commonly with the intent of practicing defense tactics and strategies and the games could be played by children of all socioeconomic backgrounds that would build community. The computer/digital games of today are considered maladaptive, such that they can promote children and youth to be competitive amongst each other, that always involves a loser and often introduces violence into the game [4].
“These are some of the games we used to play as kids, at home, the back yard or in the streets” (Ali Siees).
Ye ghol Do ghol (Five Stones) یه قل دوقل
Ye ghol Do ghol, or Five Stones is a game that has been played by many countries using bones, stones, bags, or metal and is derived from “chackstones”, or stones to be tossed [5].
“After lunch, while our parents rested, we often played Ye Ghol Do Ghol, a quieter game. The game uses five stones and has both a short and a long version [6].
“In the short version of the game, I toss one stone into the air and quickly grab one stone from the ground before catching the falling stone. I return both stones to the ground and begin the next round, this time grabbing two stones while the tossed stone is in the air. The game continues with each round increasing in difficulty, grabbing three, then four stones in the same way [6].
Once I have successfully gathered all five stones, I toss them all into the air and try to catch as many as possible on the back of my hand, held out flat. For example, if I catch two stones, I then flip my hand and attempt to catch those two stones in the palm of the same hand [6].
The number of stones caught during each stage is counted as points. The first player to reach ten or twenty points, depending on the agreed rules, wins the game.” [6]
“The longer version of Ye Ghol Do Ghol follows the same basic structure as the shorter one but with more detailed steps. Players start by tossing one stone into the air and, while it's in the air, picking up one stone from the ground and catching the tossed one, all while keeping the collected stones in hand. This continues until the player has collected all five stones, one at a time, in separate tosses.” [6]
Once all five stones are successfully collected, a new round begins where the player tosses one stone, picks up two stones at a time, and catches the tossed stone. In the next round, the player picks up three stones in one move and then one in the next, and finally, in the last round, they must pick up all four remaining stones in a single motion while tossing and catching the airborne stone.” [6].
It’s also advantageous to use flatter stones, as they are less likely to roll away. One way to increase the challenge of the game is to switch from your dominant hand to your non-dominant hand.” [6].
Successful mastery for playing Ye ghol Do ghol requires a tight sequencing of movements involving the hand-eye-limb coordination with spatial and temporal accuracy [7]. The triadic sequence of throwing, grabbing, and catching stones on the back of the hand uses visual feedback with monitoring and updating of each successive trial while enhancing movements of dexterity for continuous play in Ye ghol Do ghol.
Haft Sang (Seven Stones) هفت سنگ
Seven Stones is an ancient game from the Indian subcontinent and has been played for the last seven centuries [8].
“Haft Sang is a traditional Persian outdoor game played with seven flat stones stacked into a small pyramid or a column depending on the size of the stones. The stones are usually placed in front of a wall to prevent them from scattering too far when hit. The game is played between two teams, typically with three or four players per team. The attacking team begins by attempting to knock over the stone pyramid using a ball. If successful, the attacking players quickly try to re-stack the stones, while the defending team races to retrieve the ball and stop them. The defending team’s goal is to hit the attacking players with the ball, usually below the knee, before they can complete rebuilding the pyramid. If a defender hits an attacker, that player is out of the game. However, if the attacking team rebuilds the stones before getting hit, they win that round. If the defenders succeed in getting all attackers out, they win. Then teams switch roles, and the defenders become the attackers.” [6].
“The ball should be thrown with force, so it travels far, forcing the defenders to run to retrieve it, giving the attackers time to reassemble the stones. If the ball is rolled gently, the defenders can retrieve it quickly and start targeting the attackers immediately. This creates a fast-paced, active game with plenty of running, throwing, and laughter.” [6].
“Haft Sang is a great game for developing hand-eye coordination and agility. When played in an open field, hitting moving attackers becomes more challenging due to the space and speed involved. If the first attacker misses the stone stack, the next teammate gets a turn. Typically, teams get three attempts for three players, ensuring everyone gets a chance to play.” [6]
“The rule of hitting below the knee adds fairness and difficulty, avoiding injury and encouraging precision. If the attackers complete the stack without being hit, they win the round. After each round, teams switch roles, keeping the game dynamic and engaging. Haft Sang combines skill, strategy, and teamwork, making it one of the most beloved traditional games among Iranian children.” [6].
Health benefits of rolling a ball in activities such as Haft Sang include cognitive engagement, social interactions, and enhanced moods in light social engagement [9]. Executive functions of attention to a target, spatial perception of location and speed during a roll of the ball, with continual updating while monitoring actions have been found in games of ball rolling, such as bowling [10]. There are added benefits to playing Haft Sang of refinements in shifting attention for cognitive flexibility while adapting to a constantly changing environment requiring vigilance to prevent and dodge an attack, while assembling the stone pyramid [11].
An education curriculum that included playing games in the classroom of grade four students found the Seven Stones game improved the spelling ability for difficult words when compared to students without the in-classroom games [12].
Popular Children’s Games
“Another popular game for younger kids is called “Kalagh Paar,” means “crow fly” which we can call it in English “Flying or Not”?
Children sit in a circle and place their index fingers on the ground at the center. An adult or leader calls out the name of an animal or object, and the children must quickly decide if it can fly. If it can, they lift their fingers and say "fly".
For example:
Leader: Crow
Children: Fly!
Leader: Sheep
Children: (stay silent)
If a child mistakenly says "fly" for something that cannot fly, the group sings a playful rhyme:
"Sheep can’t fly, it doesn’t know why!"
The game continues with different animals and objects, helping children practice quick thinking and knowledge about animals.” [6]
First Name, Last Name (Esme o Famil)
“This is a popular Persian word game that helps players—especially children—develop vocabulary, spelling, and quick thinking. It's often played in groups using pen and paper.
To begin, a letter of the alphabet is chosen at random (for example, "D"), and all players must write down words that start with that letter across a list of agreed-upon categories. Common categories include:
First Name/ Last Name/Food / Fruit/ Animal/ Object/ City or Country/ Colour/ Job title
(Additional categories can be added depending on age and skill level)
Each round ends in one of two ways:
When the first player finishes all categories and calls out “Done!”, or
When the agreed-upon time limit (such as one minute) is reached.
This rule encourages competition, quick thinking, and speed. Once the round ends, players compare answers and assign points as follows:
10 points for a unique correct answer
5 points for answers that are repeated by others
0 points for incorrect or blank answers
After several rounds, the player with the highest total score is declared the winner.” [6]
The Nika Educational Complex is the first school in Iran to launch an educational program to implement children’s games into the teacher’s curriculum with a recognition of the impact the games bring to the intellectual and physical abilities for all children. With a realization of the emotional, mental, physical, and social growth of children, trained teachers have become adept at recognizing signs of children’s disorders while playing games that will contribute to evaluations toward their growth, as necessary [13].
Persian games like chess, takhteh nard, and hopscotch capture the essence of Iran's cultural identity. They combine strategic thinking, social bonding, and physical activity in unique and delightful ways. Whether you're engaged in the intellectual challenge of chess, the social dynamics of takhteh nard, or the playful hops of hopscotch, these Persian games offer enjoyment, foster connections, and celebrate the beauty of Persian culture [14].
A restoration of traditional games in Iranian culture is considered important to retain culture and knowledge as new developments occur amongst changes in social, political, and economic aspects of daily living. Traditional forms of play have always been considered to provide children with tools and skills for modern life with benefits in health and social well-being. Modern play consists of a more individualistic and sedentary lifestyle that contributes to alienation from a collective community that can lead to poor health and is believed to be largely under-documented. Traditional play should therefore be introduced early into young children’s play and added into school curriculum, portrayed more into advertising sources such as television and radio, and overall recognized as a tradition that will maintain cultural values and continuity [12].
Building Brains Together graciously thanks Ali Siees for a fun-filled afternoon with facilitation of Persian games and the Lethbridge Family Centre for use of their space for game demonstrations. Ali provided many learning opportunities for building better brains.
References
Varzani, M.R. (2013). A study of the role of games in the learning improvement of elementary schoolboys in Karaj, Iran. Social and Behavioral Sciences, 84: 400-404.
Retrieved online March, 2025 from: Molding minds and taming times: The concept of games in Iran - Tehran Times
Retrieved online March, 2025 from: Lost Treasures: Forgotten Iranian Games in the Modern World -.
Taheri, L., & Chahian, G. (2015). Restoration of Traditional Children’s Play in Iranian Nomadic Societies (Case Study of Kohgilouyeh and Boyer Ahmad). Children, 2: 211-227. doi:10.3390/children2020211.
Retrieved online March, 2025 from: Lost Treasures: Forgotten Iranian Games in the Modern World -.
Siees, A. In discussion of game facilitation, May 2025.
Varzani, M.R. (2013). A study of the role of games in the learning improvement of elementary schoolboys in Karaj, Iran. Social and Behavioral Sciences, 84: 400-404.
Retrieved online May 2025, from: The Psychological Benefits of Bowling.
Khan, M., & Mitra, S. (2022). Impact of novel pace bowling protocol on executive function. International Journal of Physiology, Nutrition and Physical Education, 7(2): 339-342.
Montuori, S., D'Auriziob, G., Fotic, F.,Liparotia, M., Lardonea, A., Pesolia, M., Sorrentinoa, G., Mandolesia, L., Curciob, G., & Sorrentinog, P. (2019). Executive functioning profiles in elite volleyball athletes: Preliminary results by a sport-specific tsk switching protocol. Human Movement Science, 63: 73-81.
Taheri, L., & Chahian, G. (2015). Restoration of Traditional Children’s Play in Iranian Nomadic Societies (Case Study of Kohgilouyeh and Boyer Ahmad). Children, 2: 211-227. doi:10.3390/children2020211.
Retrieved online March, 2025 from: Iran Launches 1st National Game & Learning Plan For Kids - Iran Front Page.
Retrieved online March, 2025 from: Persian Games Bázíhá 🎲 | Englisi Farsi.