What is Nowruz? Why is it celebrated? Let’s find out.
Intro
Nowruz is the Iranian/Persian New Year, celebrated around the spring equinox. It is celebrated by Zoroastrianists, Baha’i, and some Muslims in places like Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia.
History/Origin
The mythological origin of this holiday is that when the mythical King Jamshid was trying to destroy an eternal winter that would kill everybody, he made a throne. Demons rose his throne and him to the heavens and he shone like the sun. The people declared his victory to be the New Day (Now Ruz).
Historians suspect that the actual origin of this holiday was to celebrate the sowing of seeds (planting season) by ancient people known as the Proto-Indo-Iranians, around the 8th century BCE.
Celebration
Before Nowruz, people perform a vigorous spring cleaning and buy some flowers. A traditional meal called the Haft-sin is eaten, where sabzeh (wheat, barley, mung bean, or lentil sprouts grown in a dish), wheat germ sweet pudding, oleaster, vinegar, apples, garlic, and sumac are consumed. On Nowruz, people visit their relatives’ houses or throw big parties.
Fun Facts
Countries in Asia celebrate Nowruz, but did you know that some European countries like Albania also celebrate it?
Nowruz is the first day of the Persian month of Farvadin, the 1st month. Farvadin usually runs from March 21 to April 20.
Nowruz sometimes lasts for 13 days!
Children receive monetary gifts, sometimes called “Eidi.”
Nowruz is a national holiday in Iran and many Central Asian countries.
We at YNH hope that everyone who celebrates has a great New Year! Nowruz Mubarak!
Image credit: https://yektamarket.com/product/haft-sin-items/
Comments