Nowruz Mubarak 2023

Nowraz Mubarak 2023

Nowruz, also known as the Persian New Year, is a traditional festival celebrated by people of Persian and Central Asian heritage. This holiday is celebrated on the vernal equinox, which falls on March 21st or 22nd each year. Nowruz is a time for family gatherings, feasting, and celebrating the arrival of spring. In this article, we will explore the history and traditions of Nowruz, as well as how it is celebrated in different parts of the world.

History of Nowruz

The origins of Nowruz can be traced back to ancient Persia, where it was celebrated as a Zoroastrian festival. Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion in Persia until the 7th century, when Islam became the predominant religion. However, many of the traditions associated with Nowruz have been preserved and continue to be celebrated by people of different faiths.

The word Nowruz means "new day" in Persian. The exact date of Nowruz is determined by the astronomical calculations of the vernal equinox, which is when the sun is directly above the equator and day and night are of equal length.

Traditions of Nowruz

Nowruz is a time for cleaning and preparing the home for the new year. This is known as "khaneh tekani," which means "shaking the house." It involves thoroughly cleaning the house, buying new clothes, and preparing a special table setting known as "haft 

The seven items typically include:

Sabzeh: sprouts of wheat, lentils, or beans, representing rebirth and growth

Serkeh: vinegar, representing age and patience

Samanu: a sweet pudding made from germinated wheat, representing wealth and fertility

Sir: garlic, representing health

Sib: apples, representing beauty and health

Somagh: sumac berries, representing the sunrise and the victory of light over darkness

Other traditions associated with Nowruz include:

Chaharshanbe Suri: a festival of fire that takes place on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz. People jump over bonfires and make wishes for the new year.

Haft Mewa: a dessert made from seven different fruits and nuts, symbolizing the sweetness of life.

Eidi: gifts of money or other items that are given to children and young adults during the holiday.

Haji Firuz: a character dressed in blackface who sings and dances in the streets to celebrate Nowruz.

Celebrating Nowruz Around the World

Nowruz is celebrated in many countries around the world, including Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkey. In each country, there are unique traditions and customs associated with the holiday.

In Iran, Nowruz is celebrated for 13 days, with the first day being a national holiday. People visit family and friends, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional foods such as sabzi polo (herb rice) and khoresh gheymeh (a meat and split pea stew). The city of Tehran also hosts a large street festival, where people gather to watch performances and enjoy food and drinks.

In Afghanistan, Nowruz is celebrated for two weeks, with the first day being a national holiday. People clean their homes, prepare traditional foods, and visit family and friends. Children receive gifts of money or sweets, and there are often kite-flying competitions and music performances