Nowruz, Persian New Year

Nowruz marks the first day of Farvardin and the beginning of the year in the Persian solar calendar. Nowruz is the symbol of birth of plants, nature’s regeneration, and celebration of the earth and life.

It is the only celebration that a smaller celebration comes before it (Charshanbeh Suri) and another celebration after it (Sizdeh Bedar). In fact Nowruz has an introduction and conclusion which are themselves much bigger than celebrations as Yalda Night.

The oldest document at hand about Nowruz is the “Shahnameh”.

Nowruz which is established for about two to three thousand years with all the customs and rituals is a symbol of Iranian’s stability in keeping their national rituals.

“Nowruz is one of the symbols of our nation. Nowruz is the day of manifestation of Iranian spirit. Nowruz is the proof for this claim that Iran is still young and strong despite its antiquity.”

Nowruz Customs and Rituals

Preparations for Nowruz begin in the month Esfand, the last month of winter in the Persian solar calendar.

· Spring cleaning – cleaning the environment

· Preparing grass of wheat, lentils, vetch seeds, or cress

· Sending gift cards

· “CharshanbehSoori” (is the Iranian’s fire jumping festival which takes place on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz. “Suri” means red flame, which means light prevail darkness and by lighting fire, the remaining of the cold is vanished. “Char” (four) is the symbol of four seasons. “CharshanbehSoori” belongs to the Islamic Period.)

· Self-cleaning – bathing, wearing new clothing

· The prayer for the start of New Year and asking forgiveness

· Visiting relatives and eliminating the hatred

“SizdehBedar” (the Thirteenth Day of Farvardin, a festival in Persian Culture on which Iranian people leave the house and joyfully spend the day outdoors.)

“Haft Sin” Supplies

“Sofreh Haft Sin” has been one of the integral parts of Nowruz.

It is composed of:

MIRROR is a symbol of light and sincerity.

QURAN causes blessing and the other parts of the “Sofreh Haft Sin” is set relying on it.

CANDLES is put to the number of the children of the family and is the symbol of lightness.

A BOWL OF WATER WITH AURANTIUMS FLOATING ON IT is a symbol of the earth and its rotation on water.

COOKIES is the sweetness of life.

GRASS (Sabzeh): represents growth and blessing in the New Year and a symbol of greenness and freshness, bliss, generation, and germination of plants in the spring.

GARLIC (SIR) indicates disinfection and cleanliness.

SUMAC (SOMAGH) is the symbol of life and stimulates happiness and wellness.

COINS (SEKKEH) is a symbol of bliss.

SEA-BUCKTHORN (SENJED) is a symbol of love and romance, represents life.

VINEGAR (SERKEH) is the symbol of patience.

SAMANO OR THE HOLY HALVA is considered the symbol of growth and fertility.

RED APPLE (SIB) is a heavenly fruit and a symbol of beauty and health.

COLORED EGGS symbolizes sustenance, fertility and blessing.

GOLDFISH is the symbol of Pisces or “Esfand” and represents life and refreshness.

HYACINTH (SONBOL) represents beautiful flowers.

NUTS symbolizes bliss and abundance.

ESFAND is burnt along with amber and fragrant woods for disaster and sour eye relief.