What is Nowruz?
The Zoroastrian New Year Festival is Nowruz, which means the "new day." Nowruz always begins on the first day of spring, and it lasts for 13 days. A few weeks before the New Year, everyone cleans his/her house.
Troubadours named Haji Firuz whose face is covered in soot and has red clothes. He dances and singes through streets bringing the news of the coming of spring. Haji Firuz is the companion of Amoo Nowruz or Uncle Nowruz.
Troubadours named Haji Firuz whose face is covered in soot and has red clothes. He dances and singes through streets bringing the news of the coming of spring. Haji Firuz is the companion of Amoo Nowruz or Uncle Nowruz.
Amoo Nowruz is an old man who comes to town on the first day of spring bringing with him spring and Nowruz. He rides on his white horse and giving gifts to good kids just like Santa.
Nowruz starts with Chahar-shanbe-suri. The last Wednesday of the year is called Chahar-shanbeh-suri.
When the evening comes, people lit large bonfires and jump over them.
Children wrap themselves in white sheets and go door to door asking for treats while banging on pots and pans. People believe their the soul of their ancestors would visit them so they keep their houses clean and lit bonfire to guide the spirits to their homes. This celebration has common roots with the Celtic Halloween celebration.
It is a tradition to eat Persian noodle soup, fish, and vegetable rice for dinner.
When Nowruz comes, everyone wears clean, new clothes and goes to visit the older members of the family.
After a few days, the older members of the family come to see the younger ones.
The last day of Nowruz is called Seez-de-be-dar, which is on the 13th day of Nowruz.
On this day people go to countryside or parks for a picnic. They play, sing and dance all day.
When the evening comes, people lit large bonfires and jump over them.
Children wrap themselves in white sheets and go door to door asking for treats while banging on pots and pans. People believe their the soul of their ancestors would visit them so they keep their houses clean and lit bonfire to guide the spirits to their homes. This celebration has common roots with the Celtic Halloween celebration.
It is a tradition to eat Persian noodle soup, fish, and vegetable rice for dinner.
When Nowruz comes, everyone wears clean, new clothes and goes to visit the older members of the family.
After a few days, the older members of the family come to see the younger ones.
The last day of Nowruz is called Seez-de-be-dar, which is on the 13th day of Nowruz.
On this day people go to countryside or parks for a picnic. They play, sing and dance all day.
What is Haft-seen?
Haft-seen is a special table set for Nowruz. People put seven different items on the Haft-seen table. Each item starts with the letter "s" in Persian.
The seven items which include somagh (sumac), seer (garlic), seeb (apples),senjed (jujube fruit), sonbol (hyacinth), sabzeh (wheat sprouts), and sekeh (coins).
Each of these items has a symbolic meaning. For example, apple is the symbol of beauty. Garlic represents health. Wheat sprouts are the symbol of rebirth. Coins are the symbol of wealth.
The seven items which include somagh (sumac), seer (garlic), seeb (apples),senjed (jujube fruit), sonbol (hyacinth), sabzeh (wheat sprouts), and sekeh (coins).
Each of these items has a symbolic meaning. For example, apple is the symbol of beauty. Garlic represents health. Wheat sprouts are the symbol of rebirth. Coins are the symbol of wealth.
Besides the seven items, other things are placed on the Haft-seen such as a holy book, Shahname (the Book of Kings), candles, colored eggs, goldfish in a bowl, rose water and a mirror.
Seezde-be-dar
Seezde-be-dar means 13th outdoor. It is the last day of Nowruz festival when everyone goes to outdoors to have a picnic and spend time with their family. People sing, dance, play backgammon and relax all days.
Watch this fun video on Nowruz:
Watch this fun video on Nowruz: