Nowruz, Iranian New Year Festival

Nowruz, the Persian New Year
As we get close to the end of winter, people get ready for a national ceremony. On March 21 the most important event of the Persian calendar will take place and one of the most celebrated Iranian holidays, the Persian New Year or the Nowruz begins. ( no = new + ruz = day, new day in Persian).

Nowruz, Noruz or Nowrooz is the New Year's Day of the Persian calendar and the beggining of a 13-day holiday. Nowruz is celebrated with the arrival of spring, at the exact moment of the equinox, that is why there is a difference of about 6 hours every year. It is also celebrated in Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, parts of India and among the Kurds. Nowruz is also celebrated in Turkey and some countries in Central Asia.

The Concept of Nowruz
Nowruz representats ancient concepts, beginning of life and renaissance. The awakening of nature is commemorated after the long winter months and the hope of a fruitful year. Bringing hope, peace and prosperity to the world.

There are many legends about the beginnings of Nowruz. The documented origins of these festivals in Iran date back to the celebrations celebrated by the Achaemenid kings in the palaces of Persepolis over 2,500 years ago. The Persian emperor Cyrus the Great, was the one who first publicly attributed the official name of Nowruz. It was he who built the Persepolis complex and created the first empire of the region. Later, when Nowruz was widespread in the Persian kingdom, it gradually found its way throughout Babylon, Egypt and Ethiopia.

These Iranian festivals were named Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2010 and declared as a celebration for peace and cultural diversity by the UN. It is one of the oldest celebrations of humanity since it dates back to more than three thousand years ago.

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Preparation and celebration of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year
During the days before these Iran festivals, it is tradition that families clean their homes thoroughly as a symbol of purification. They throw away the useless household and clothes, and renew them as it is a symbol of good omen with the arrival of the new year. So during these dates, sales in all types of businesses increase considerably.

Haft Sin, the special table setting for Nowruz
When these Iranian holidays are approaching, the country has the custom to prepare and decorate a special setting. They must follow a ritual, as the tradition of Haft Sin (the seven S). People place seven elements whose name in Farsi begins with “S”, and each of them has a different meaning and concept:

Sabzeh: Germinated wheat or lentils adorned with a red bow, symbolizing growth and the new life.

Sekke: Coins, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.

Senjed: Fruit of the '' red olive tree '', symbolizing fertility and love.

Sir: Garlic, symbolizing health.

Sib: Apple, symbolizing beauty and desire.

Sumac: (a kind of spice), symbolizing the dawn and the conquest of light, by its color.

Serkeh: Vinegar, symbolizing maturity and patience.

In addition, other elements are added such as: a fishbowl with goldfish to attract good luck, a mirror that is the symbol of self-reflection in Persian literature and painted eggs that represent fertility. The book of the Qoran is always present as a symbol of faith and usually the table is illuminated with candles and decorative ornaments.

Iran Family Parties in Nowruz
During the 13 days of these holidays in Iran the Iranians travel and make visits to family and friends, and the older family members always take the priority over the younger ones. A lot of people travel during Nowruz holidays both for visiting their relatives in other cities and enjoy the nearly two week holidays. The children receive gifts or money from uncles, aunts and their grandparents. On the 13th day, the last day of this holiday, families and friends gather in the fields and parks, enjoy the nature and do different group activities like playing and cooking.

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