Iranian new year
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.
Also the Canadian parliament by unanimous consent, has passed a bill to add Nowruz to the national calendar of Canada, on March 30, 2009.
In Albania Sultan Nevruz is celebrated as a mainly mystical day by the Bektashi sect, and there are special ceremonies in the Tekke led by the clergy and large meals are served there. They celebrate this day as the birthday of Ali. Also all Albanians celebrate a secular version of Nowruz, called Spring Day. Nowruz is also celebrated by Kurdish people in Iraq and Turkeyas well as by Baltistan in the Pakistan and Parsis in the Indian subcontinent.
Other notable celebrations take place by Iranians around the world, such as Los Angeles, Toronto, Cologne and in United Kingdom, mainly in London. But because Los Angeles is prone to devastating fires, there are very strict fire codes in the city. No fires are allowed even on one’s own property. Usually, Iranians living in Southern California go to the beaches to celebrate the event where it is permissible to build fires. On 15 March 2010, The United States House of Representatives passed The Nowruz Resolution (H.Res. 267), by a 384–2 vas cote,”Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, … .”.
. Countries that have Nowruz as a public holiday include the following:
Afghanistan Afghanistan (21 March)
Albania Albania (22 March)
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan (20 March to 26 March, total of 7 days)
Georgia (country) Georgia
Kosovo Kosovo (21 March)
Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan (21 March)
Iran Iran (20 March to 24 March, total of 5 days in general + total of 14 days for schools and universities)
Iraq Iraq (de jure in Iraqi Kurdistan Iraqi Kurdistan, de facto national (21 March)
Kazakhstan Kazakhstan (21 March to 24 March, total of 4 days)
Mongolia Bayan-Ölgii, Mongolia (22 March, regional state holiday only)
Tajikistan Tajikistan (20 March to 23 March, total of 4 days)
Turkmenistan Turkmenistan (20 March to 23 March, total of 4 days)
Uzbekistan Uzbekistan (21 March)
Nowrooz Traditions
Nowruz table decoration
Nowruz haft seen (seven “s”) is a table with seven significant items set on top of it. Setting this table is one of the main customs of Nowruz.
Here is list of each item with its haft seen meaning:
- For rebirth and renewal: Sabzeh (Some kind of sprout; wheat, barley, mung bean or lentil grown in a dish)
- For beauty, love: Senjed (Dried fruit, a sweet fruit from a lotus tree)
- For health: Sib(Apples)
- For medicine and taking care of oneself: Seer(Garlic)
- For wealth and fertility: Samanu (A sweet pudding)
- For the patience and wisdom that comes with aging: Serkeh (Vinegar)
- For the sunrise of a new day: Sumac (A Persian spice made from crushed sour red berries)
Other Symbolic Items On Nowruz Table
- Persian New Year table, depending on the traditions of each family, could have:
- the holy book of Islam, Qur’an
- a mirror to symbolize the reflection of the recent year
- a bowl of goldfishes as a symbol of new life
- painted eggs to show fertility
- coins for prosperity for the coming year
- special spring flowers called hyacinths
- candles for happiness.
- the Shahnameh, a collection of Persian stories and myths of kings and princes written by Ferdosi
- Hafez’s book of poetry. Hafez is the famous national poet and prose narrator known among Persians.
Nowruz Message
Persian spring starts with a chance of renewal for everyone. Persians consider Nowruz celebration as a symbol of rebirth.
Everything That Happens Before Nowruz Festival
Khane Tekani
About three weeks before the every Nowruz. The traditional act of Khane Tekani (literally meaning shaking the house) takes place. During spring cleaning Persians clean every corner of the house. As we all know, cleaning the house might not be a big deal. But it is actually for the sake of having a completely fresh start. Iranians start the New Year not only with a clean and reorganized house but also with a clear mindset. Buying new clothes is also a similar act that is done before Nowruz.
Chaharshanbeh Suri
On the last Wednesday of the Iranian new year, to mark the end of the year and hope for a bright new year. Crowds of people sing and dance until the midnight under the lightened streets and squares of Iran to celebrate the Last Wednesday of the year. Did you know that there used to be a tradition like Treat or Trick on Chaharshanbeh Suri?
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