What is Nowruz?
Nowruz, or the Persian New Year, is another time to mark the arrival of spring. This is celebrated every 20th of March or 21st prior to New Year’s Day. Nowruz is a Persian word meaning New Day, where now means new and ruz, day; hence, it’s a new beginning. Nowruz is deeply rooted in Zoroastrian origin, and celebrates mostly among Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, the Middle East, and parts of South Asia during the last three millennia.
The United Nations recognized the event as an International Day. Nowruz encompasses renewal and harmony, and the celebration is synonymous with the victory of light over darkness. The festival is part of Persian culture, and it has different customs, rituals, and celebrations that tie the people together.
Celebrating Nowruz
Usually, Nowruz celebrations last for about 13 days full of custom, festivity, family gathering, and below are some most important traditions:
- Spring Cleaning: The last chore that everyone performs just before Nowruz is a cleaning-up spree across the country. For some reason, every household here under has done a massive amount of cleaning-it’s the tradition of Khaneh Tekani, which literally means shaking the house. This had to do with purification, the removal of bad energies, and being open to new beginnings.
The Nowruz of setting up a Haft-Seen table is an undertaking that has seven significant items, the first letter of each of their names being “S” in the Persian language:
- Sabzeh (Wheat, barley, or lentil sprouts)—Symbolizing rebirth
- Samanu (Sweet pudding): representing power and strength
- Senjed (Dried oleaster fruit)—Symbolizing love
- Seer (Garlic): Health and Medicine
- Seeb (Apple): Signifying beauty and health
- Somāq (Sumac): significance as to the sunrise and patience
- Serkeh (vinegar): wisdom and age.
Other objects sometimes put at the table include a mirror (to reflect one’s own presence), a goldfish (life and movement), and some coins (prosperity).
- Chaharshanbe Suri (Fire Jumping Festival)
Chaharshanbe Suri is a festival where people jump through bonfires on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz and chant “Zardi-ye man az to, sorkhi-ye to az man” (My yellow sickness to you, your red glow to me), meaning a transfer of negative things for health and energy.
- Family Gatherings and Feasts
Families come together and share meals: Sabzi Polo ba Mahi (herbed rice with fish), and Kuku Sabzi (herb frittata). Baklava, Noghl, and Samanu endorse special sweet dishes.
- New Year Greetings and Gifts
- “Nowruz Mobarak!” Happy Nowruz!
- “Eid-e Shoma Mobarak!” Blessed Eid!
- “Sale No Mobarak!” Happy New Year!
They also received monetary gifts, coins, or sweets from children as an endowment for prosperity.
- Sizdah Bedar (Nature Day)
The people of the 13th Nowruz are usually outside the house during this day for the picnic known as Sizdah Bedar. It is also a day of saying goodbye to festivities while celebrating nature. The event defines one tradition: throwing the Sabzeh (sprouted greens) in running water as purging brought bad luck.
Countries that Celebrate Nowruz
More than 300 million people celebrate it worldwide. Some of the countries that celebrate are:
- Iran: The true heartland of Nowruz, where it rounds out the most important event of the entire year.
- Afghanistan: From here comes Nawroz, and big celebrations include such events.
- Azerbaijan: The event is specially organized by organizing musical events, street events, and cultural events.
- Turkey: This particular festival is traditionally celebrated mostly by the Kurdish communities.
- Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan This is an event that is recognized as a national holiday.
- India and Pakistan: It is greatly celebrated by the Parsi and Shia communities.
- Iraq and Syria: The Kurdish communities in both of these countries also celebrate Nowruz with traditional dances and feasting.
Recent Times of Nowruz
Thus, over the years, Nowruz has acquired tangible significance as an intangible heritage of humanity under UNESCO. Nowruz parades were celebrated in many towns across the globe-from London to New York to Los Angeles-as they were showcasing Persian culture.
Conclusion
More than just New Year celebrations, Nowruz becomes a festival of renewal, unity, and hope. Be it fire jumping or just setting up a Haft-Seen table or gathering together for a feast, Nowruz denotes a low homage to nature, culture, and new beginnings.
Millions around the world will be gladly and hopefully welcoming the arrival of spring, and we wish everyone celebrating: Nowruz Mobarak!
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