Nowruz a.k.a. Persian New Year (Traditions and Celebrations)

March 21, 2023

What's up everyone!

How are you doing? I hope you will. Be doing great 👍.

I am supposed to publish this article tomorrow as I have been aiming to publish not more than one article in a day and today I already published one. However, I will publish it today, why? Because this is tradition and celebration, and something about an eve, an event or a celebration, which is celebrated today and in some places started yesterday and ends today. So, if it ends, it will be a bit odd to share 😜.

Okay! Let's discuss and enjoy the celebration and tradition.

Nowruz

Nowruz, also known as Persian New Year, is an important cultural festival celebrated by millions of people around the world. It marks the beginning of spring and the start of the new year in the Persian calendar. The holiday is observed on the vernal equinox, which usually falls on March 20 or 21. Nowruz is celebrated by many different cultures and religions, but it is most closely associated with the Persian and Zoroastrian traditions.

Photo taken from Nowruz | Persian New Year Explained

History and Origins of Nowruz

The origins of Nowruz can be traced back to ancient Persia and the Zoroastrian religion. The holiday was originally a Zoroastrian festival that celebrated the spring equinox and the renewal of nature. The Zoroastrian religion was the dominant religion in Persia until the Muslim conquest of the region in the 7th century CE. Despite this, Nowruz continued to be celebrated by the Persian people and has since become a secular holiday that is celebrated by people of all religions and backgrounds.

Nowruz Traditions and Celebrations

Nowruz is a time of joy, renewal, and celebration. It is a time to gather with family and friends, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional foods and music. The celebrations usually last for two weeks and include many different rituals and customs. Here are some of the most common traditions associated with Nowruz:

• Spring cleaning: Before Nowruz, many families will engage in a thorough spring cleaning of their homes. This is seen as a way to start the new year fresh and to get rid of any bad luck from the previous year. Hahaha, that's a bit funny and interesting.

• Haft-Seen: One of the most important Nowruz traditions is the creation of a Haft-Seen table. This is a special table that is set up in the home and decorated with seven items that start with the Persian letter "seen" (س). These items include apples, garlic, coins, vinegar, and other symbolic objects that represent good luck, health, and prosperity.

Photo by Niloofar Farkhojasteh on Unsplash

• Nowruz Day: On the first day of Nowruz, families will gather together and exchange gifts and sweets. They will also visit friends and relatives, and enjoy traditional foods such as Sabzi Polo (herbed rice) and Reshteh Polo (noodle rice).

Photo by József Koller on Unsplash

• Chaharshanbe Suri: On the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, many people will celebrate Chaharshanbe Suri. This is a fire festival where people jump over bonfires and make wishes for the new year.

Photo by Jake Pierrelee on Unsplash

• Sizdah Bedar: On the 13th day of Nowruz, many people will celebrate Sizdah Bedar, which is a day of outdoor picnics and festivities. It is believed that spending time outside on this day will bring good luck and happiness for the rest of the year.

Nowruz Around the World

Nowruz is celebrated by millions of people around the world, particularly in Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and other countries with large Persian populations. In these countries, Nowruz is a national holiday and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy. However, Nowruz is also celebrated by many people of Persian descent who live in other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Europe. In these places, communities will often come together to celebrate Nowruz with traditional foods, music, and dance.

Nowruz is not widely celebrated in Pakistan, as it is not a traditional holiday in the country. However, there are some pockets of Persian-speaking communities in Pakistan, particularly in the cities of Lahore, Karachi, and Quetta, who may observe Nowruz as a cultural festival. Additionally, there are some Pakistani citizens who are of Persian descent and may celebrate Nowruz in their own homes or within their communities. Overall, while Nowruz is not a national holiday in Pakistan, it may be celebrated by some people in the country who have a connection to Persian culture and traditions.

Conclusion

Nowruz is an important cultural festival that celebrates the arrival of spring and the start of the new year. It is a time of renewal, joy, and celebration, and is marked by many different traditions and customs. Whether you are of Persian descent or simply interested in learning about other cultures, Nowruz is a wonderful opportunity to experience the rich and vibrant traditions of the Persian people.

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Lead Photo from BBC