By Shayan Abbasi
As the snow melts and the flowers start to bloom, there’s a buzz of excitement in the air. It’s not just the promise of spring; it’s the anticipation of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, a festival that has been celebrated for thousands of years, marking not just a change in season but also a deep connection to Iranian culture and heritage.
Nowruz, which translates to “new day” in Persian, occurs on the spring equinox, the moment when day and night are of equal length, which serves as a symbol of sorts toward the further balance in nature. This usually happens on March 20 or 21. It’s a time of renewal, both in nature in terms of the change of seasons, as well as symbolically for new beginnings.
But, Nowruz is more than just a seasonal festivity. It has high linkings to Persian tradition throughout Milena. The first Nowruz was celebrated by ancient Persians 3000 years ago and has since continued through centuries, empires and generations, being a central part of heritage.
The festivities of Nowruz are rich with symbolism and rituals that trace back to Zoroastrianism, an old religion that was the state religion of Iran before the advent of Islam. One of the most iconic symbols of Nowruz is the haft-seen table, which features seven items starting with the letter ‘s’ in Persian or Farsi. Each item shows a different hope for the new year, from apples (Seeb) for beauty to garlic (seer) for health.
During Nowruz, families come together, homes are cleaned, new clothes are worn and special foods are prepared. It is a time for visiting relatives and starting anew. Communities engage in dances, public celebrations, and the reading of poetry, especially the works of the beloved Persian poets Hafez and Ferdowsi, who wrote the Persian equivalent of the Odyssey, an epic tale of kings and knights called “Shahnameh.”
Nowruz also shows the importance of nature in Iranian culture. The days leading up to and following the New Year are filled with picnics and outings, indicative of the fresh start that spring symbolizes. The tradition of jumping over a fire on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, known as “chaharshanbe suri,” shows the shedding of last year’s sickness and problems in preparation for a healthy and happy new year.
However, the most notable and relevant aspect of Nowruz is its universal message of peace, solidarity and renewal. Although it is rooted in Iranian culture, Nowruz is celebrated by millions around the world, from Central Asia to the Caucasus and more, bringing people together regardless of their differences.
Nowruz Mubarak!
