March 21, 2023

IRANIAN NEW YEAR NOWRUZ

Nowruz Festival Nowruz is the Iranian or Persian New Year, celebrated by people of various ethnicities worldwide, but namely in Western, Southern and Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, and the Balkans.

It is celebrated in mid-March each year, and is based on the Iranian Solar Calendar, which works around astronomical observations, hence why the date can vary slightly each year.

The word Nowruz is a combination of two Persian words. ‘’Now’’ meaning ‘New’ and ‘’Ruz’’ meaning ‘Day’ = New Day. There are several customs which are typically participated in surrounding Nowruz, such as ‘shaking’ or cleaning the house before the arrival of the festival. Like how us Westerners have a ‘’Spring Clean.’’

Hyacinths and Tulips are common around the festival and are displayed in people’s homes often. Visiting family and friends is important, and younger family members will typically visit their elders first, then the elders return the visit later. A table is usually prepared to observe Nowruz in family homes, with seven items beginning with the ‘’S’’ sound are placed.

• Sabzeh (sprouted wheat grass): For rebirth and renewal.
• Samanu (sweet pudding): For affluence and fertility.
• Senjed (sweet, dried lotus tree fruit): For love.
• Serkeh (vinegar): For patience and wisdom gained through aging.
• Sir (garlic): For medicine and maintaining good health.
• Sib (apples): For health and beauty.
• Sumac (crushed spice made from reddish berries): For recalling the sunrise.

Each year, the Iranian capital Tehran, celebrates with fireworks. See below for a video from the 2022 celebration.

If you are celebrating, we wish you a wonderful Nowruz!