Nowruz (Persian: نوروز, IPA: [nouˈɾuːz], meaning “[The] New Day”) is the name of the Persian/Iranian New Year. Nowruz marks the first day of spring or Equinox as and the beginning of the year in the Persian calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northward equinox, which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed.Read more
History of Nowruz
The celebration has its roots in Ancient Iran. Due to its antiquity, there exist various foundation myths for Nowruz in Iranian mythology. In the Zoroastrian tradition, the seven most important Zoroastrian festivals are the Gahambars and Nowruz, which occurs at the spring equinox. According to Mary Boyce,
“It seems a reasonable surmise that Nowruz, the holiest of them all, with deep doctrinal significance, was founded by Zoroaster himself.” Read more
Nowruz around the world
Nowruz is celebrated in Greater Iran, Caucasus, Central Asia and by Iranians worldwide. It is a public holiday in Iran, Iraq,Georgia, Afghanistan,Azerbaijan,Tajikistan,Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan,Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and India.Read more
Nowruz in the Zoroastrian faith
Zoroastrians worldwide celebrate Nowruz as the first day of the New Year. Parsi Zoroastrians of South Asian origin celebrate it as “Nowroj”, “Navroz”, or “Navroj” on the fixed day of March 21, while Zoroastrians of Iranian background generally celebrate, like other Iranians, on the actual Spring Equinox date.Read more
No-Rooz, The Iranian New Year at Present Times
No-Rooz, in word, means “New Day”. It is the new day that starts the year, traditionally the exact astronomical beginning of the Spring. Iranians take that as the beginning of the year. This exact second is called “Saal Tahvil”.Read more
Haft-Seen
Haft Seen, otherwise known as Haft Sīn (Persian: هفتسین) or the seven ‘S’s is a traditional table setting of Nowruz, the traditional Iranian spring celebration. The haft seen table includes seven items all starting with the letter sīn (س) in the Perso-Arabic alphabet.Read more
Chaharshanbe Suri
Chahārshanbe Suri (Persian: چهارشنبه سوری) is a fire jumping festival, celebrated in Iran.
There are Zoroastrian religious significance attached to Chahārshanbeh Suri and it serves as a cultural festival for Iranian peoples: Persian Jews, Persian Muslims, Assyrians native to Iran, Persian Armenians, Kurds, Persian Bahai’s and Persian Zoroastrians.Read more
Nowruz Sweets & Dishes
Spring is welcomed by Persians on the first day of Nowruz by gathering with their family members around the serving table.Like any good holiday, food plays a major role at Nowruz. Having a feast is half the reason for getting together! There are specific foods associated with Nowruz: noodles for untying life’s complications, fresh herbs for rebirth, eggs for fertility, and fish for life.Read more
Sizdeh Bedar ~ 13th Day of Norouz
Sizeh Bedar takes place on the 13th day of the Persian New Year and marks the end of the Norouz holiday. It is customary for Persians to celebrate such day by spending the day outdoors picnicking. Read more
All about Nowruz in Iran and ceremony – Ceremonies of Iran – Nowruz ceremony – History of Nowruz – Nowruz in Iran – No Rooz in Iran – Iranian Ceremonies – Persian Ceremonies – No Rooz in Iran
