Nowruz, also known as the Persian New Year, is a celebration of the spring equinox and the beginning of a new year in the Persian calendar. Nowruz is a time of renewal and rebirth, celebrated by millions of people around the world.
The word "Nowruz" is derived from two Persian words: "now" meaning new and "ruz" meaning day. Nowruz typically falls on March 21st or 22nd, depending on the exact moment of the equinox. It is a time of joy and festivity, marked by the exchange of gifts, the cleaning of homes, and the preparation of traditional foods.
Nowruz has its origins in ancient Persia, where it was celebrated as a Zoroastrian holiday. It is believed to have been observed for over 3,000 years and is now recognized as a national holiday in many countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan.
Nowruz is a time for family and friends to gather together and celebrate the coming of spring. People often visit each other's homes and share traditional foods, such as sabzi polo (herbed rice with fish), kookoo sabzi (herb and egg frittata), and ash reshteh (noodle soup with beans and herbs). Many families also set up a haft-sin table, which is decorated with seven symbolic items that begin with the Persian letter "sin."
The seven items on the haft-sin table include:
- Sabzeh (sprouts) - symbolizing rebirth and growth
- Samanu (sweet pudding) - symbolizing wealth and fertility
- Seeb (apple) - symbolizing health and beauty
- Senjed (dried fruit of the lotus tree) - symbolizing love
- Sir (garlic) - symbolizing health
- Sibzamini (potato) - symbolizing stability and grounding
- Somagh (sumac) - symbolizing the color of sunrise and new beginnings.
In addition to these seven items, the haft-sin table may also include other symbolic items, such as a mirror (representing self-reflection), candles (representing enlightenment), and coins (representing wealth).
Nowruz is also a time for spring cleaning, as families clean their homes and decorate them with flowers and other decorations. This is done to symbolize the renewal and rebirth that comes with the arrival of spring.
In many countries, Nowruz is celebrated as a public holiday, with schools and businesses closed for several days. People often wear new clothes and participate in parades and other festive activities.
In conclusion, Nowruz is a celebration of the spring equinox and the beginning of a new year in the Persian calendar. It is a time of joy and renewal, marked by the exchange of gifts, the cleaning of homes, and the preparation of traditional foods. Nowruz is celebrated by millions of people around the world, particularly in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, and is recognized as a national holiday in many countries.
