Celebration

Nowruz is the first day of the Iranian solar year which is March 21st. The celebration of the beginning of the Iranian New Year is one of the oldest celebrations left from the time of ancient Iran. Iranians consider Nowruz to be the beginning of the resurrection of nature. They believe that at Nowruz, along with nature, they should start a new era with a new spirit and attitude. Nowruz marks the beginning of the new year in Iran and Afghanistan. It is celebrated by ethnic groups influenced by the Persians in other countries, including the Republic of Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Syria, Iraq, Georgia, Albania, China, Turkey, and Turkmenistan. In Iran, the first 4 days of Farvardin (March 21 to March 24), which coincides with the beginning of Nowruz, is an official holiday. This holiday for schools lasts until the 13th of Farvardin (2 April).

Cleaning the house is one of the rituals of Nowruz that people do before the first day of Nowruz. Nowruz celebrations in Iran have several events that begin with Charshanbe Suri, a custom of lighting a fire on the last Wednesday night of the year. On this day, each person jumps over the fire one by one. On the last Thursday of the year, people go to the tombs of the newly deceased.

Before the arrival of Nowruz, family members gather around the Haft-sin table and wait for the exact moment of the March equinox to celebrate the New Year. Before the first day of Farvardin, Nowruz tables are opened in homes, which are called Haftsin tables in Iran. Traditionally, the Haft-sin table has seven things beginning with the letter S.

Sabze – wheat, barley, mung bean, or lentil sprouts grown in a dish.

Samanu – a sweet pudding made from wheat germ

Senjed - Persian olives

Serke - Vinegar

Sib - Apples

Sir - Garlic

Sumac

The Haft-sin table may also include a mirror, candles, painted eggs, a bowl of water, goldfish, coins, hyacinth, and traditional candies. Each of these symbols has special meanings, such as:

Apple - beauty and health

Olives - love and affection

Sabze – rebirth

Samanu – power

Garlic - contentment

Vinegar -surrender

Coin – wealth

Egg – fertility

Sumac – sunrise and patience

Fish – childbirth

Mirror and Candle - light

Vegetable pilaf with fish is eaten and sweets such as chickpea bread. In Iran, the traditional symbols of Nowruz are “Amu Nowruz” and “Haji Firuz”, who appear in the streets to celebrate the New Year. Amu Nowruz is like Santa Claus and brings children gifts

Sizdah Bedar is on the thirteenth day of the New Year. Iranians leave their houses to enjoy nature and picnic outdoors as part of the Sizdebedar ceremony. The greenery grown for the Haft-sin setting is thrown away, particularly into running water.