In harmony
with rebirth of nature, the Persian New Year
Celebration, or Norooz, always begins on the
first day of spring, March 20th of each year.
Norooz ceremonies are symbolic
representations of two ancient concepts -
the End and Rebirth. About 3000 years ago
Persian's major religion was Zoroastrianism,
named in honor of its founder Zoroaster, and
arguably the world's first monotheistic
religion. Zoroastrians had a festival called
"Farvardgan" which lasted ten days, and took
place at the end of the solar year. It
appears that this was a festival of sorrow
and mourning , signifying the end of life
while the festival of Norooz, at the
beginning of spring signified rebirth, and
was a time of great joy and celebration.
Norooz was officially acknowledged and named
"Norooz" by mythical Persian emperor, Shah
Jamshid, from Achaemenid Dynasty (500 BC).
Ashaemenied
created the first major empire in the region
and built Persepolis complex (Takhte Jamshid)
in the city of Shiraz. Norooz in Persian
means "New Day" and brings hope, peace and
prosperity to the world and has been
celebrated among people regardless of ethnic
background, political views or religion in
many countries around the globe such as
Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey,
Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Georgia, Iraq,
Tajikistan, Syria ,Armenia and India. Some
of the activities during Norooz are Spring
cleaning, buying new cloths, painting eggs,
family reunion, giving presents, visiting
neighbors and friends and celebrating by
having a picnic on the 13th day of Spring.
Happy
Norooz!
Persian History
For
more than three thousand years Persia was a
melting pot of civilizations and demographic
movements between Asia and Europe. Under
Cyrus the Great, it became the center of the
world’s first empire. The country has always
been known to its own people as Iran (land
of the Aryans) or “noble people”, although
for centuries it was referred to as Persia
(Pars or Fars) by the Europeans, mainly due
to the writings of Greek historians. First
inhabited 4000 B.C., the region was overrun
by Aryans, who later split into two groups,
the Medes and the Persians. The Persian
Empire was founded 550 B.C. by Cyrus the
Great and dominated the surrounding area
until the time of Alexander the Great. Cyrus
the Great overthrew the Median rulers,
conquered the kingdom of Lydia in 546 BC and
established the Persian Empire
Cambyses II son of Cyrus the Great conquered
the Egyptians in 525 BC and Darius the Great
his successor pushed the Persian borders far
as Indus River and constructed a canal
connecting the Nile River and the Red Sea.
Other well-known Persian Kings were Xerxes,
Ardashir, Shapur, Yazdegerd, Firuz, Khosrau.
The last of the Sassanid kings was Yazdegerd
III, during whose reign (632-41) the Arabs
invaded Persia and replaced Zoroastrianism (Persian
religion at the time and still practiced by
some Persians in Iran and around the globe)
with Islam
Norooz Customs
In harmony with the rebirth of
nature, the Iranian New Year Celebration, or
NOROOZ, always begins on the first day of
spring. Norooz ceremonies are symbolic
representations of two ancient concepts -
the End and the Rebirth; or Good and Evil. A
few weeks before the New Year, Iranians
clean and rearrange their homes. They make
new clothes, bake pastries and germinate
seeds as sign of renewal
Norooz Customs and Rites
In
the past 20 days before Norooz one could
observe a great bustle in every Iranian
house. Every body thinksof procuring new
dresses and sweetmeats for the Haft Sin
table.
Before
anything else, the family plants sabze
which is wheat and pea planted in small
and big china bowls and
as soon as
the grass grows up about 10 cm, they tie
the root with colorful laces. During the
change to new year, they lay the sabzes
around the Haft Sin table. They put
ducks and cocks made of wax over the
tallest sabze and
paint the pictures
with green dye.
Another
rite during Norooz which started
three days before the new year was
playing eggs. At each street and
alley and house, the elders and
children played with eggs and women
also participated in the game. The
eggs
were boiled and painted their crest
with beautiful colorful images. To
win more eggs some naughty ones
manufactured artificial eggs by
boring a hole at the bottom and
sucking the contents of the egg and
filling it with wax which dried and
hardened and made the egg resistant.
As a result, the experienced players examined
the egg before the game to discover
a fraud. The women from every class
also participated in such games when
they visited families they carried
the eggs and played with them.
Meanwhile at
those old
times the price of an egg was one
Shahi and that of cooked and pointed
egg was two Shahis.
Usually
several hours after the new year
people started to visit each other
and the visit continued until the
13th day of the new year.
On Norooz
holidays the old Persians observed
special rites. They cleaned their
houses, decorated the biggest
chamber of the house with flowers,
kindled sandal and wild rue to expel
sinful souls from the house, visited
each other and prayed. They lighted
their houses because they believed
that on the night of Norooz their
ancestors would visit them.
Of other
rites was the kindling of fire,
pouring water on each other, and
taking ablution at the morning of
the new year.
Of other
rites during Norooz holidays was
presenting gifts, wearing new
dresses and eating sweetmeats,
planting vegetables, and putting
seven herbs on the Haft Sin table
which was called Haft Chin or Haft
Sheen before the advent of Islam
Iran
the custom of welcoming the New Year by
making a general house cleaning is also
practiced. "Spring clean" is observed days
before Norouz with Iranians cleaning every
part o the house, dusting furniture and
washing carpets. The practice complements
the new season and freshness that comes
along with spring and New Year. The old
Iranian tradition of making houses very
clean and spice and span for the New Year
celebration is rooted in the belief that the
soul of departed family members will come
and visit the homes of loved ones on Norouz
eve
Mir-e-Norouz, Atash Afrouz and Hadji Firouz,
are traditional expressions that herald the
joyous coming of Norouz. Hadji Firouz is
regarded as the more enduring of the other
two New Year announcers.
According to Iranian tradition, Hadji Firouz
was a man in red clothes who went from
street to street singing and beating a
tambourine on New Year's eve (which is also
the eve of spring). He was usually
accompanied by one or two other persons. It
is said that he and his companions were
symbols of an old custom in Azarbaijan,
called "Chisdon Chikhdim," according to
which Haji Firouz sang from the streets to
inform people that spring had come and that
winter has gone.
In return, people gave him gifts or money
for the good news that he brought.
is a character who is the
traditional herald of the Norooz. Haji
Firooz disguise themselves with makeup and
wear brightly colored outfits of satin. Haji
Firuz sing and dance and parade as a
carnival through the streets with
tambourines, kettledrums, and trumpets to
spread good cheer and the news of the coming
new year Norooz.
Chahar Shanbeh Soori
Last Wednesday of the
year(Chahar
Shanbeh Suri)
: On the eve of last Wednesday of the
year, literally the eve of Red Wednesday
or the eve of celebration, bonfires are
lit in public places and people leap
over the flames, shouting:
Give me your beautiful red color
And take back my sickly pallor
With the help of fire and light
symbols of good, we hope to see our way
through this unlucky night - the end of
the year- to the arrival of springs
longer days. Traditionally, it is
believed that the living were visited by
the spirits of their ancestors on the
last day of the year. Many people
specially children, wrap themselves in
shrouds symbolically reenacting the
visits. By the light of the bonfire,
they run through the streets banging on
pots and pans with spoons called
Gashog-Zani to beat out the last unlucky
Wednesday of the year, while they knock
on doors to ask for treats. Indeed,
Halloween is a Celtic variation of this
night.
In order to make wishes come
true, it is customary to prepare special
foods and distribute them on this night.
Noodle Soup a filled Persian delight,
and mixture of seven dried nuts and
fruits, pistachios, roasted chic peas,
almond, hazelnuts, figs, apricots, and
raisins
***
happens on the last Tuesday evening of
the year. Every family gathers several
piles of wood or brush in the streets or
parks to be lit shortly after the sunset.
Then all the family members line up and
take turns jumping over the burning fire
and singing “sorkheeyeh toe az man,
Zardeeyeh man az toe’. “I give my
paleness to the fire and take fire red
healthy color”. Yellow or paleness
symbolizes the sickness and pain and red
symbolizes heath. Fireworks can be heard
throughout the night
Fal-Gush
This is
another ritual in which someone makes a
wish and stands at the corner of an
intersection , or on a terrace or behind
a wall. That person will know his
fortune when he overhears conversation
of a passerby
The practice
of preparing New Year sprouts from wheat for
the New Year's eve "Haft Seen" is an ancient
one.
As far as tradition goes, generation to
generation of Iranian families used to put
up 12 mud-brick columns around their royal
courtyards, each planted with a particular
kind of seed. The seeds planted were usually
wheat, barley, rice, bean, broad bean,
lentil, millet, chick pea, sesame, and maize.
Harvesting time was accompanied
by the singing and playing of
musical instruments on the 6th
of Farvardin (March 27) of every
year, with joy and happiness
evident in each Iranian family
gathered around the courtyard.
The number of mud pillars
represent the 12 months of the
year. The mud pillars are to be
kept intact until the 16th of
Farvardin wen the whole family
is to assess the growth of the
seeds. The seed that produces
the tallest growth is chosen as
the year's choice plant for
cultivation
Growing
sprouts in homes for the Norouz has its
peculiar process and is the responsibility
of housewives.
At least ten days before Norouz a housewife
takes a handful of seeds, the quantity
depending on the number of family members,
and makes a wish for health, happiness and
prosperity as she places them in a clay pot
full of water until they germinate and turn
white.
She then spreads them apart in a piece of
cloth until they sprout. When the sprouts
appear, she transfers them to a copper plate
and covers them with a piece of cloth
sprayed with water.
When the green plants reach a certain height
the housewife ties them with a red ribbon
Haft Seen
The symbolic
dishes consist of:
Sabzeh or
sprouts, usually wheat or lentil
representing rebirth.
Samanu is
a pudding in which common wheat sprouts
are transformed and given new life as a
sweet, creamy pudding and represents the
ultimate sophistication of Persian
cooking.
Seeb
means apple and represents health and
beauty.
Senjed
the sweet, dry fruit of the Lotus tree,
represents love. It has been said that
when lotus tree is in full bloom, its
fragrance and its fruit make people fall
in love and become oblivious to all else.
Seer
which is garlic in Persian, represents
medicine.
Somaq
sumac berries, represent the color of
sunrise; with the appearance of the sun
Good conquers Evil.
Serkeh or
vinegar, represents age and patience.
To reconfirm all hopes
and wishes expressed by the traditional
foods, other elements and symbols are
also on the sofreh):
a few
coins placed on the sofreh represent
prosperity and wealth;
a basket
of painted eggs represents fertility.
a Seville
orange floating in a bowl of water
represents the earth floating in space.
a
goldfish in a bowl represents life and
the end of astral year-picas.
a flask
of rose water known for its magical
cleansing power, is also included on the
tablecloth.
Nearby is
a brazier for burning wild rue ,a sacred
herb whose smoldering fumes ward off
evil spirits.
A pot of
flowering hyacinth or narcissus is also
set on the sofreh.
A mirror
which represents the images and
reflections of Creation as we celebrate
anew the ancient Persian traditions and
beliefs that creation took place on the
first day of spring.
On either side of the mirror are two
candlesticks holding a flickering candle
for each child in the family. The
candles represent enlightenment and
happiness
Is a
spread with seven items which each
symbolizes a wish or theme. All seven items
in this ceremonial table starts with the
Persian letter Seen or S in English. The
Haft Seen spread is usually put out a week
before the New Year, which sets the mood for
celebration. The seven items are Sabzeh (grown
wheat or lentil) for rebirth, Samanu (flour
and sugar) for sweetness of life, Sekeh
(coin ) for prosperity and wealth, Senjed (
dried fruit of Lotus tree) for love, Seer (garlic)
for health, Somaq ( sumac berries) for
warmth and Serkeh ( vinegar) for patience.
Also there other items on the Norooz spread
such as painted eggs, which represent
fertility, a mirror that represents image
and reflection of life, and a goldfish in a
bowl that represents life
With the passing of a year and the coming of
another, Iranians get their tables ready
with the seven articles that symbolize the
triumph of good over evil. The belief dates
back to antiquity but the practice is still
very much alive. The seven articles usually
used are vinegar (serkeh),
apple (seeb),
garlic (seer),
wild olive (senjed),
sumac (somaq),
juice of germinating wheat or malt mixed
with flour and brought to a consistency (Samanu)
and a dish of specially raised wheat or
other seed spour (Sabzeh).
Note that all articles begin with the
Persian "s"
sound.
Number seven has been regarded as magical by
Iranians since ancient times and is symbolic
of heaven's highest angels.
Along with the seven articles, Muslims place
the Holy Qur'an and Zoroastrians put the
Avesta in their New Year table to implore
God's blessings.
A jar of water is sometimes added to
symbolize purity and freshness, along with
bread, a traditional symbol of a sustainer
of life. It is usual to see fresh milk,
cheese, fruits, dates and coins on the New
Year table. Wild olives and apples are
symbols of love and pomegranates are fruits
venerated by Iranians. Coins are used to
symbolize prosperity and spherical sour
oranges represent the earth
The traditional Noruz table
called "Sofreh haft-seen" consisted of seven
(7) kinds of food each starts with letter
"sin" in Persian (Farsi) similar to the
letter "s" in English -- symbolizing life,
health, wealth, abundance, love, patience,
and purity.
Sabzeh,
wheat or lentil sprouts represents
rebirth.
Samanu,
a creamy pudding made from wheat germ is
regarded as holy.
Seeb,
apple symbolizes health and beauty.
Senjid,
the dried fruit of lotus tree for love.
Sir,
garlic which is considered medicinal
represents health.
Somagh,
sumac berries represents the color of
sun and the victory of good over evil.
Serkeh,
vinegar represents old age and patience
There
are other things you can place on the
table which may not begin with letter
's' but have significance. For instance,
a book symbolizing wisdom (Koran or
other holy books or some people may put
poetry books from Iranian poets).
Sekeh, coin
representing wealth.
Sonbol and
Laleh (hyacinth and tulip) two flowers
symbolize spring.
Painted eggs
stands for fertility of people and land
A
mirror to
symbolize reflection of life, candles to
represent happiness and goldfish to
represent life.
The table may also
include an orange
floating in a bowl of water to
symbolize planet earth floating in space
When the
clock strikes New Year all the members of
the family in their clean and new outfits
gather around the Norouz table and Haftseen.
The family begins the New Year with a prayer
for health, happiness and prosperity,
usually along these lines: "O Reformer of
hearts and minds, Director of day and night
and Transformer of conditions, change ours
to the best in accordance with Your will."
After the initial celebration to welcome the
New Year, the members of the family hug and
kiss each other, eat the bounties prepared
for the New Year and wish each other the
best.
Then the oldest member of the family (usually
the father) presents the Eidi (New Year's
gift) to younger members. The Eidi usually
consists of new and unused paper money that
have been put between the pages of the Holy
Book.
Visiting relatives during Norouz is among
other customs widely practiced
Seezdah
Bedar
The two
weeks long NoRooz celebration ends with
SeezDeh Bedar. SeezDeh means Thirteen
and SeezDeh Bedar is the process of
getting over with or passing over the
thirteenth day of the New Year
This day
is usually celebrated outdoor in a
picnic style. This is the last day of
New Year celebration and life will
return to normal the following day
Schools
will open, shops will start on their
regular hours and offices and Government
agencies are back in normal operation.
So, this is the last chance to spend
some time with family and friends and
enjoy the fresh smell of Spring.On this
day, girls & boys tie a knot with grass
and make wishes perhaps for a husband or
wife. When the knot is opened (it is
beleived that) their luck will open and
their wishes will come true. Newly weds
also tie a grass knot making wishes for
a baby, a house, or whatever is on their
Have-To-Have list
is the 13th day of Norooz and
Persians to overcome the bad luck they
spend the entire day out of the house
with families and friends in the parks
having a picnic. They sing and play
games and celebrate a happy and healthy
holiday season and end the holiday
season on a positive note
Zodiac
Calendar
Rat:
Aggressive, ambitious, generous, honest,
persistence, imaginative, thrifty, to live
well and enjoy it, easily makes friends. Year of Rat : 2008, 1996, 1984,
1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924, 1912, 1900
Ox:
Powerful individual, successful, unyielding,
stubborn, good leader, upright,
inspirational, calm and easygoing, self
assurance, quiet, good with hands, eloquent. Year of Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973,
1961, 1949, 1937, 1925, 1913, 1901
Tiger:
Powerful and strong, competent, charming,
courageous, loving, carefree, deep thinkers,
carries a grudge, highly respected. Year of Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986,
1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914, 1902
Powerful, energetic, courageous, healthy,
intelligent, gifted, honest. Year of Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988,
1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928, 1916, 1904
Snake:
Clever, tremendous wisdom, profound thinkers,
determined, romantic, beautiful as a woman,
handsome as a man, usually rich, hates debts,
helpful. Year of Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989,
1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929, 1917, 1905
Horse:
Popular, cheerful, hardworking, intelligent,
friendly, strong lover, likes music, good
money managers. Year of Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990,
1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930, 1918, 1906
Ram:
Creative, wise, gentle, artistic, passionate,
elegant, warmhearted, honest, good problem
solvers, religious, entrepreneur. Year of Goat: 2015, 2003, 1991,
1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931, 1919, 1907
Monkey:
Intelligent, inventive, successful, skillful
with hands, decisive, clever, magnetic
personality, entertaining, well informed,
famous. Year of Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992,
1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932, 1920, 1908
Rooster:
Courageous,
hardworking, deep thinkers, handles pressure
well, perceptive, fast learner, skillful,
enjoy cooking. Year of
Rooster: 2017,
2005, 1993,
1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933, 1921, 1909
Dog:
Loyal, honest, work well with others,
generous, hardworking, Affectionate, clever,
ambitious, Year of Dog: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982,
1970, 1958, 1946, 1934, 1922, 1910
Pig:
Honest, reliable, brave and well-mannered,
sincere, kind, affectionate, thirst for
knowledge, successful professionals, treat
their loved ones with great kindness, enjoy
material comfort. Year of Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983,
1971, 1959, 1947, 1935, 1923, 1911
Year of each animal:
Any year plus or minus 12 or 12 Multiple
(For example: 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 96 and
so on.) is the year with the Same animal
sign
NOROOZ
(Persian New Year)
Norooz (Nowruz,
Nevruz, Newruz, Navruz) in Persian means
"New [-year]-day". It is the beginning
of the year for the peoples of Iran (Greater
Iran, including: Afghanistan, Arran (Republic
of Azerbaijan) and Central Asian
Republics).
Turkey
too has decided to declare Norooz a
holiday. It is also celebrated as the
New Year by the people of the Iranian
stock, particularly the Kurds a, in the
neighboring countries of Georgia, Iraq,
Syria, and Turkey.
It begins
precisely with the beginning of spring
on vernal equinox, on or about March 21.
Tradition takes Norooz as far back as
15,000 years--before the last ice age.
King Jamshid (Yima or Yama of the
Indo-Iranian lore) symbolizes the
transition of the Indo-Iranians from
animal hunting to animal husbandry and a
more settled life in human history.
Seasons played a vital part then.
Everything depended on the four seasons.
After a sever winter, the beginning of
spring was a great occasion with mother
nature rising up in a green robe of
colorful flowers and the cattle
delivering their young. It was the dawn
of abundance. Jamshid is said to be the
person who introduced Norooz
celebrations.
Avestan
and later scriptures show that
Zarathushtra improved, as early as 1725
BCE., the old Indo-Iranian calendar. The
prevailing calendar was luni-solar. The
lunar year is of 354 days. An
intercalation of one month after every
thirty months kept the calendar almost
in line with the seasons. Zarathushtra,
the Founder of the Good Religion,
himself an astronomer, founded an
observatory and he reformed the calendar
by introducing an eleven-day intercalary
period to make it into a luni-solar year
of 365 days, 5 hours and a fraction.
Later the year was made solely a solar
year with each month of thirty days. An
intercalation of five days was, and a
further addition of one day every four
years, was introduced to make the year
365 days, 5 hours, and a fraction. Still
later, the calendar was further
corrected to be a purely solar year of
365 days 5 hr 48 min 45.5 sec. The year
began precisely with the vernal equinox
every time and therefore, there was no
particular need of adding one day every
four years and there was no need of a
leap year. This was [and still is] the
best and most correct calendar produced
that far.
Some 12
centuries later, in 487 B.C.E., Darius
the Great of the Achaemenian dynasty
celebrated the Norooz at his newly built
Persepolis in Iran. A recent research
shows that it was a very special
occasion. On that day, the first rays
of the rising sun fell on the
observatory in the great hall of
audience at 06-30 a.m., an event which
repeats itself once every 1400-1 years.
It also happened to coincide with the
Babylonian and Jewish new years. It was,
therefore, a highly auspicious occasion
for the ancient peoples. The Persepolis
was the place, the Achaemenian king
received, on Norooz, his peoples from
all over the vast empire. The walls of
the great royal palace depict the scenes
of the celebrations.
We know
the Iranian under the Parthian dynasty
celebrated the occasion but we do not
know the details. It should have, more
or less, followed the Achaemenian
pattern. During the Sasanian time,
preparations began at least 25 days
before Norooz. Twelve pillars of
mud-bricks, each dedicated to one month
of the year, were erected in the royal
court. Various vegetable seeds--wheat,
barley, lentils, beans, and others--were
sown on top of the pillars. They grew
into luxurious greens by the New Year
Day. The great king held his public
audience and the High Priest of the
empire was the first to greet him.
Government officials followed next.
Each person offered a gift and received
a present. The audience lasted for five
days, each day for the people of a
certain profession. Then on the sixth
day, called the Greater Norooz, the king
held his special audience. He received
members of the Royal family and
courtiers. Also a general amnesty was
declared for convicts of minor crimes.
The pillars were removed on the 16th day
and the festival came to a close. The
occasion was celebrated, on a lower
level, by all peoples throughout the
empire.
Since
then, the peoples of the Iranian
culture, whether Zartoshtis, Jews,
Christians, Muslims, Baha’is, or others,
have celebrated Norooz precisely at the
time of vernal equinox, the first day of
the first month, on about March 21.
Today,
the ceremony has been simplified. Every
house gets a thorough cleaning almost a
month before. Wheat, barley, lentils,
and other vegetables seeds are soaked to
grow on china plates and round
earthenware vessels some ten days in
advance, so that the sprouts are three
to four inches in height by Norooz. A
table is laid. It has a copy of the
sacred book (the Gathas for
Zarathushtrians), picture of
Zarathushtra (again for Zarathushtrians),
a mirror, candles, incense burner, bowl
of water with live gold fish, the plates
and vessels with green sprouts, flowers,
fruits, coins, bread, sugar cone,
various grains, fresh vegetables,
colorfully painted boiled eggs like the
“Easter eggs,” and above all, seven
articles with their names beginning in
Persian with the letter s or
sh. The usual things with s
are vinegar, sumac, garlic, samanu (consistency
of germinating wheat), apple, senjed (sorb?),
and herbs. Those with sh include
wine, sugar, syrup, honey, candy, milk,
and rice-pudding. Here in North America,
these may be substituted with English
words that would alliterate, rhyme, or
make mouths water. The seven articles
are prominently exhibited in small bowls
or plates on the table. The whole table,
beautifully laid, symbolizes the Message
and the Messenger, light, reflection,
warmth, life, love, joy, production,
prosperity, and nature. It is, in fact,
a very elaborate thanksgiving table for
all the good beautifully bestowed by God.
Family
members, all dressed in their best, sit
around the table and eagerly await the
announcement of the exact time of vernal
equinox over radio or television. The
head of the family recites the Norooz
prayers, and after the time is announced,
each member kisses the other and wishes
a Happy Norooz. Elders give gifts to
younger members. Next the rounds of
visits to neighbors, relatives, and
friends begin. Each visit is
reciprocated. Zarathushtra’s Birthday
and Norooz festival are celebrated by
Zartoshtis at social centers on about 6
Farvardin (26 March). Singing and
dancing is, more or less for the first,
a daily routine. The festivity
continues for 12 days, and on the 13th
morning, the mass picnic to countryside
begins. It is called sizdeh-be-dar,
meaning “thirteen-in-the-outdoors.”
Cities and villages turn into ghost
towns with almost all the inhabitants
gone to enjoy the day in woods and
mountains along stream and riversides.
People sing, dance, and make merry.
Girls of marriageable age tie wild grass
tops into knots and make a wish that the
following Norooz may find them married
and carrying their bonny babies
No
Ruz, new day or New Year as the Iranians
call it, is a celebration of spring Equinox.
It has been celebrated by all the major
cultures of ancient Mesopotamia. Sumerians,
3000BC, Babylonians 2000 BC, the ancient
kingdom of Elam in Southern Persia 2000BC,
Akaddians all have been celebrating it in
one form or another. What we have today as
No Ruz with its’ uniquely Iranian
characteristics has been celebrated for at
least 3000 years and is deeply rooted in the
traditions of Zoroastrian belief system.
This was the religion of Ancient Persia
before the advent of Islam 1400 years ago.
It is known as the mother religion in the
area. The familiar concepts of Hell, Heaven,
Resurrection, coming of the Messiah,
individual and last judgment were for the
first time incorporated into this belief
system. They still exist in Judo-Christian
and Islamic traditions. In order to
understand No Ruz we have to know about
Zoroastrians’ cosmology.
These people believed in two primal forces.
In their ancient text, Bundahishn foundation
of creation, we read that The Lord of Wisdom
residing in the eternal light was not God.
He created all that was good and became God.
The Hostile Spirit, Angra Mainyu (Ahriman),
residing in the eternal darkness created all
that was bad and became the Hostile Spirit (The
word anger in English comes from the same
origin).
Everything that produced life, protected and
enriched it was regarded as good. This
included all forces of nature beneficial to
humans. Earth, waters, sky, animals, plants
were all good. Justice, honesty, peace,
health, beauty, joy and happiness were
regarded as belonging to the good forces.
All that threatened life and created
disorder belonged to the hostile spirits.
The two worlds created did not have a
material form but the essence of everything
was present. The two existed side by side
for three thousand years, but completely
separate from each other. At the end of the
third millennium the Hostile Spirit saw
light, wanted it and attacked the good
world. This was the beginning of all
troubles we face now. The Lord of Wisdom in order to protect
his world created the material world "Gaeity",Geety
in modern Persian. This material world was
created at seven different stages. The first
creation was the sky, a big chunk of stone
high above. The second creation was the
first ocean, at the bottom. Earth a big flat
dish sitting on the ocean was the third. The
next three creations were the prototypes of
all life forms. The first plant, the first
animal a bull and the first human
Gayo-maretan (Kiomarth), both male and
female. The seventh creation was fire and
sun together.
The struggle continues for 12000 years.
There are four periods, each 3000 years. At
the last phase several saviors come and the
last one Saoshyant will save the world. When
he comes there is resurrection, walking over
the Chinvat Bridge (Sarat Bridge in Quran)
and last judgement. We recognize this figure
as Time Lord (Imam Zaman) in Iranian version
of Shiite Islam.
In order to protect his
creations the Lord of Wisdom also created
six holly immortals, Amesha Spenta one for
each creation. Khashtra (Sharivar), the
protector of sky, Asha-Vahishta (Ordibehesht)
protected fire. Vahu Manah (Bahman) for all
animals, Haurvatat (Khordad) protected all
waters, Spenta Armaiti (Esphand) a female
deity protector of mother earth and Ameratat
(Amurdad) supported all plant life. Ahura
Mazda himself became the protector of all
humans and the holly fire.
There was one problem with this material
world, it did not have a life cycle. The sun
did not move. There were no days or nights
and no seasons. The three prototypes of life
were sacrificed. From the plant came the
seeds of all plants. The bull produced all
animals and from the human came the first
male and female. The rest of the humanity
was created from their union. The cycle of
life started. Sun moved, there was day,
night and the seasons. This was called the
first No Ruz.
The Lord of Wisdom also created guardian
angles (forouhars) for all living beings.
Every human had one as long as they stayed
with the good forces. As we see in the myth
of Azydahak in Avesta, the Zoroastrians’
holly book. We know this figure as Zahak in
modern Persian. A prince, he chooses the
Hostile Spirit as his protector. He was made
a king, ruled for 999 years and became
immortal.
Zoroaster (Zardosht) the architect of this
cosmology introduced many feasts, festivals
and rituals to pay homage to the seven
creations and the holly immortals. Seven
were amongst the most important. They are
known as Gahambars, feasts of obligation.
The last and the most elaborate was No Ruz,
celebrating the Lord of Wisdom and the holly
fire at the time of spring equinox.
The oldest archaeological record for No Ruz
celebration comes from the Achaemenian (Hakhamaneshi)
period over 2500 years ago. They created the
first major empire in the region and built
Persepolis complex (Takhte Jamshid) in
central Iran. This magnificent palace/temple
complex was destroyed by Alexander the Great
in 334 BC.
Achaemenians had four major residences one
for each season. Persepolis was their spring
residence and the site for celebrating the
New Year. Stone carvings show the king
seated on his throne receiving his subjects,
governors and ambassadors from various
nations under his control. They are
presenting him with gifts and paying homage
to him. We do not know too much about the
details of the rituals. We do know that
mornings were spent praying and performing
other religious rituals. Later on during the
day the guests would be entertained with
feasts and celebrations. We also know that the ritual of sacred
marriage took place at this palace. An
ancient and common ritual in Mesopotamia,
the king would spend the first night of the
New Year with a young woman. Any offspring
produced from this union would be sent back
to the temples and they would normally end
up as high-ranking religious officials.
There is no evidence that this was practiced
later on and was part of the New Year
rituals.
What we have today as No Ruz goes back to
the Sassanid period. They were the last
great Persian Empire before the advent of
Islam 1400 years ago. Their celebrations
would start five days prior to the New Year.
They believed the guardian angles (Fourohars)
would come down to earth within these five
days to visit their human counter parts. A
major spring-cleaning was carried out to
welcome them with feasts and celebrations.
Bon fires would be set on rooftops at night
to indicate to the guardian angles that
humans were ready to receive them. This was
called Suri Festival.
Modern Iranians still carry out the
spring-cleaning and celebrate Wednesday
Suri. Bon fires are made and all people will
jump over the fire on the last Tuesday of
the year. This is a purification rite and
Iranians believe by going over the fire they
will get rid of all their illnesses and
misfortunes. Wednesday Suri did not exist
before Islam and very likely is a
combination of more than one ritual to make
it last.
The ancient Zoroastrians would also
celebrate the first five days of No Ruz, but
it was the sixth day that was the most
important of all. This day was called the
Great No Ruz (No Ruze bozorg) and is assumed
to be the birthday of Zoroaster himself.
Zoroastrians today still celebrate this day,
but it has lost its significance for the
rest of the Iranians. In Sassanid period the
New Year would be celebrated for 21 days and
on the 19th day there would be
another major festival.
Modern Iranians celebrate New Year for 13
days only. The first few days are spent
visiting older members of the family other
relatives and friends. Gifts are exchanged;
sweets and feasts will be consumed. At the
last day, the 13th of the first
month, all people will leave their homes to
go to the parks or rural areas to spend a
day in nature. Again this was not celebrated
in this manner before and might be several
rituals in one. A major part of the New Year
rituals is setting a special table with
seven specific items present, Haft Sin (Haft
chin, seven crops before Islam). In the
ancient times each of the items corresponded
to one of the seven creations and the seven
holly immortals protecting them. Today they are changed and modified but
some have kept their symbolism. All the
seven items start with the letter S; this
was not the order in ancient times. Wheat or
barley representing new growth is still
present. Fish the most easily obtainable
animal and water are present. Lit candles
are a symbol of fire. Mirrors are used today,
origin unknown. These were expensive items
in ancient times and were made from polished
metal. It is unlikely that all households
would have one. Zoroastrians today place the
lit candle in front of the mirror. Wine was
always present. Today it is replaced by
vinegar since alcohol is banned in Islam.
Egg a universal symbol of fertility
corresponding to the mother earth is still
present. Garlic is used to warn off bad omen.
This is a modern introduction. There is no
evidence that it was used in that context
before. However the ancient Iranians would
grow seven different herbs for the New Year
and garlic might have been one of those.
Samano a thick brownish paste is present
today. It is a nutritious meal and could
have been part of the feasts. It is also
possible that it has replaced Haoma.
Haoma is a scared herbal mix known for its
healing properties. It was a major cult on
its own with many rituals and ceremonies.
The cult is still performed by the
Zoroastrians today, but is abandoned by the
rest of the Iranians. Coins symbolizing
wealth and prosperity, fruits and special
meals are present as well.
Why this festival has survived? There have
been major attempts by the Muslim rulers
over the centuries to minimize it, ban it or
get rid of it once for all. The reasons for
their failure should be sought in the spirit
of this festival. Contrary to the Islamic
traditions where death and martyrdom mark
all the major rituals, No Ruz is a
celebration of life.
Forces of nature completely beyond them
dominated people in ancient times. They
formed a union with these forces to protect
themselves. Through this union they created
a balance and maintained the cosmic order
Asha. Without it there would be chaos, the
world of the Hostile Spirit (Ahriman). The
Zoroastrians were and are required to have
the same mind, the same voice and act the
same way as their god the Lord of Wisdom.
They are expected to only think of good
things, speak the good words and act the
good deeds. Our celebrated poet Ferdousi
over a thousand years ago virtually single
handedly translated Avestan mythology into
modern Persian. A Zoroastrian who was
persecuted all his life because of his fate;
he starts his book in the name of the Lord
of Life and Wisdom (beh nameh khodavand jaan
o kherad). The lord of life and wisdom was
Ahura Mazda’s title in the Avestan texts of
the Sassanid period. Lord or not, life and
wisdom are what that makes us humans. We are
the only beings who know we have a life and
what we do with our lives depend on the
wisdom. At the end of the millennium with
the mess this planet is in we need that
wisdom more than ever. Creating a balance
with nature and maintaining order are very
relevant
Norooz
Rituals in every region of Iran:
Norooz
is observed with much ceremony and
respect in every region in the country.
Besides rites which are common in the
country each region observes its
specific rites some of which are
mentioned below: Like its verdant nature
and lush foliage,
Gilan:
Norooz is observed with many rites in
Gilan Province. Some of these rites have
been forgotten with the lapse of time
but some continue to be observed in
certain parts of that province. Cleaning
the house, holding Charshanbesuri (kindling
fire), playing with spoons, Noroozkhani
(singing Norooz songs), cooking
sweetmeats, drying fruits, painting eggs,
sewing native dresses, visiting during
the change of the year by consulting the
Quran and tens other rites are observed
in Norooz in Gilan. Whitening the walls
by lime, washing garments and carpets by
the river, are customs which continue to
be observed in some villages in Gilan.
The cooking of sweetmeats and candies
and drying fruits were rites which
prevailed in all the province in the
past but in recent years such customs
have been forgotten in many towns.
Mazandaran:
Along with the soft steps of nature
which brings the sweet scent of spring
from villages into towns the people in
Mazandaran province dust and clean their
homes. In this province also the
cleaning of the house, Charshanbesuri,
Khatoon Charshanbeh, Norooz Soltan and
Now-Eyed are celebrated by people with
the rebirth of nature. Normally cleaning
of the house in villages in Mazandaran
is simultaneous with purging of hearts
from hatred and enmity, and besides
washing the house furniture in villages
have which continued to preserve their
traditional culture where people live in
thatched (mud) houses, after dusting and
cleaning they decorate the house with
special soil. This soil is called Serish
in the local dialect. It is nearly white
and is prepared two weeks before the
start of the new year by the women.
Different districts in Mazandaran
Province observe special rites for
Charshanbehsuri by reciting poems. The
last Wednesday of the year the vegetable
market is full of customers who buy,
spinach, leek and marigold to cook a
special stew called Tourshe Tareh. Of
other merry customs at the beginning of
spring one may refer to Noroozkhani in
which several people sing verses such as
"King Norooz has come, the ancient
holiday has come," or "Laugh and revel,
the season of nightingale has come," the
people praise the beauty of spring,
budding of plants and the arrival of
goodness and blessing.
Yazd:
The citizens in Yazd Province also
observe special rites to welcome Norooz.
During these days Yazdi sweetmeats are
forwarded as gift to other parts of the
country. Before Norooz the
confectioneries and candy makers lead a
bustling trade as customers order their
sweetmeats including ghotab, cotton
candy, baqlava (a kind of pastry usually
cut in lozenges), etc. one month before
the new year. Of other rites observed in
Yazd Province in Norooz is Panjehchini.
Five days before the beginning of the
new year all the shops in the province
decorate their shops with their ware and
illuminated them with lamps. The
Zoroastrians inYazd, too, observe Norooz
holidays which had descended from
ancient times. They celebrate Norooz in
fire temples by reciting verses from
Avesta and praying for the victory of
their countrymen in the new year.
Ardebil:
In Ardebil Province also from very old
times at the close of winter the people
have welcomed historical Norooz holiday.
Although with the mechanization of life
some of these rites in that province
have lost their original color, still
once can observe signs of devotion to
Norooz festival at Ardebil. According to
elders in the past Norooz was celebrated
with the appearance of Takams or
Takamchis at various districts in the
city. With the appearance of Takamchis
the people prepared themselves to
receive Norooz. Takam was a wooden puppy
with four legs which was made to move
like animal. An old Ardebili citizen
says Takamchis started their show during
the last ten days of Esfand (March
10-20) and collected gifts and this
represented the arrival of the new year.
In this province the majority of family
members stay awake round the Haft-Sin
table until late at night to welcome
Norooz. The Haft-Sin table was
ornamented by the Quran, candles and
other delicacies. Before the change of
the year, the people took ablution and
when old year changed into the new year,
they preserved silence and listened to
recitation of prayer. On the first day
of Norooz the people in Ardebil
commemorated the departure of those
relatives who had died in the preceding
year in mosques and the citizens visited
the bereaved families to express their
condolence. Of other rites which has
awakened a new interest into Norooz
among the Iranians in recent years one
open might refer to the visit of war
zones during the holidays by interested
groups. During these days the department
of culture of the Joint Chief of Staff
of Armed Forces, the Basij, the Law
Enforcement Forces, the government and
the private cultural departments arrange
group tours to the war zones. Visiting
the war zones and performing cultural
activities during Norooz holidays has
given further weight to Norooz as a
national/religious festival. Because of
its variety of customs and the fact that
our ancestors had the foresight to
choose the season of blossoming of
flowers as the beginning of the year
Samanoo is usually made at the
Norooz (starts on the first day of spring:
20 or 21 March).
Wash wheat with cold water, then rinse. Add
cold water until there is 2-3 cm of water
over the wheat. Leave for about two days,
changing the water after the first day. The
wheat should begin to germinate. Rinse
thoroughly.
Hold a thin piece of cloth under cold water
until it is completely wet. Pour wheat
inside and wrap the cloth around it. Place
it in a bowl and leave the bowl in a warm
place. Once or twice a day, sprinkle a bit
of cold water over the cloth to make it wet
but not soggy.
When roots appear, spread wheat on a large
plate, then spread the cloth over it and
sprinkle with water. Continue sprinkling
with water once or twice a day until silvery
sprouts appear. Wheat should be used before
the sprouts turn green.
Grind the wheat, add two glasses of cold
water, and mix well. Filter out the excess
water. Press the wheat hard to squeeze out
the extract. Add wheat extract to flour
while mixing. The mix should become thin.
Place the mix over medium heat, stirring
frequently until the mix starts boiling and
thickens. Continue heating until water
disappears. Fry the mix without any oil or
sugar for about 10-15 minutes.
Gradually add 1-2 glasses of hot water and
mix well. Allow to boil slowly, stirring
occasionally until the mix slightly thickens.
Place in the oven for about 30 minutes at
low temperature
• fine rice flour, 500 grams
• very fine sugar, 200 grams
• cooking oil, 250 grams
• rosewater, 1/2 cup
• eggs, two small
Directions:
Mix oil,
sugar and egg yolks and beat until soft.
Beat egg whites separately until they
thicken. Add rosewater, flour, and eggwhites
to the mix and stir well. Pour the mix in a
plastic bag and keep in the refrigerator for
24 hours.
Spread the dough on a flat non-stick surface
to a thickness of 0.5 cm. Cut with a
cookie-cutter, and cook in the oven at 300F
for 15 to 20 minutes. Colour should not
change much
• almonds, 500 grams
• fine sugar, 250 grams
• sugar, 500 grams
• cardamom powder, one spoonful
• egg yolks, two
• milk, 1/2 cup
• cooking oil, 2 spoonfuls
• flour, 150-200 grams
• baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon
• rose-water, 1/2 cup
• small metallic boxes
Directions:
Mix milk,
baking powder, oil and egg yolks. Add flour
gradually while mixing. Mix the dough well
for a few minutes. Pour in a plastic bag and
leave for 2-3 hours.
Peel and ground the almonds. Add fine sugar
and cardamom powder and mix well. Spread
some flour on a table-top. Take a small ball
from the dough and flatten into a sheet on
the table-top as much as possible with a
roller.
Use a brush to remove the flour from the
sheet. Place a box on the sheet and cut the
sheet at 0.5 cm away from the edges of the
box. Place the cut sheet at the bottom of
the box. Repeat this procedure three times.
Add the almond-sugar mix on top of the
sheets to fill the box. Press using the back
of a large spoon to obtain a flat surface.
Spread a bit of rose-water on the mix. Cover
with another three sheets of the dough. Cut
along a grid. Heat up 150 grams of cooking
oil and spread on top of the boxes.
Add sugar to 1/2 cup of hot water and bring
to boil. Add rose-water and continue boiling
for 2-3 minutes. Keep this syrup warm.
Pre-heat the oven to 300 F. Place the boxes
in the lower part of the oven and leave for
15-20 minutes. Remove and add a bit of the
syrup. Return to a higher part of the oven
and leave for another 15 minutes until
Baagh-lava turns slightly golden. Remove
from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
Add a bit of syrup over Baagh-lava 2-3 times
at 5 minute intervals
• fine chick-pea flour, 500 grams
• fine sugar, 250 grams
• cooking oil, 300 grams
Directions:
Mix
sugar and oil and beat until the mix is very
smooth. Add chick-pea flour and mix very
well until the dough is smooth and thick.
Pour the dough in a plastic bag and leave
for several hours.
Form small (2 cm) balls from the dough.
Texture the surface of each ball using a
fine comb. Cook the balls in the oven at 300
F for 20-30 minutes. The balls should turn
slightly golden but the colour should not
change much
• whole fish (such as salmon or cod)
• fresh lime juice, 1/2 cup
• extra-virgin olive oil, 1/2 cup
• coriander, 50 grams
• parsley, 50 grams
• mint, 50 grams
• saffron, 1/2 teaspoon
• salt
• black pepper
Directions:
Note
that fresh fish should have raised eyes and
should be bright red under the ears.
Cut fish length-wise from below. Remove
insides, then wash inside and out, and dry
thoroughly. Place each side under grill at
high temperature for 5-10 minutes so that
the skin dries up. Remove fish and separate
skin which should come off easily.
Prepare sauce as following: wash and finely
chop coriander, parsley and mint. Add lime
juice, olive oil, saffron, salt, and black
pepper, and mix well.
Cover a suitable pan with aluminum foil and
place fish on top. Add the sauce on both
sides as well as inside. Cover with a sheet
of aluminum foil and cook in oven at medium
temperature for 45 minutes to one hour. Note
however that exact cooking time depends on
the type and size of fish. Take care not to
over-cook. Add more sauce 2 or 3 times
during cooking. When cooked, decorate fish
with slices of lime or lemon and some
parsley. Serve with Sabzi-Polow. It is
customary to serve Maahi-Kabab with
Sabzi-Polow on the Iranian New Year's day
which coincides with the Spring Equinox
• 400 grams reshteh (reshteh is similar to
spaghetti in shape and should be obtained in
Iran or from an Iranian store)
• 1 kg herbs (parsley, spinach, dill,
coriander, and spring-onion ends, in equal
amounts)
• 150 grams chick-peas
• 150 grams black-eye beans
• 150 grams lentils
• 4 medium onions
• 2 spoons flour cooking oil
• salt & black pepper
• 4 spoons dried mint (or 200 grams of fresh
mint)
• two glasses kashk (kashk is thick whey and
should be obtained in Iran or from an
Iranian store)
Directions:
Soak
chick-peas, black-eye beans, and lentils in
warm water for about two hours. Peel and
thinly slice onions. Fry in oil until
slightly golden. Save half of the fried
onions for later use. Add chick-peas,
black-eye beans, lentils, salt, and pepper
to onions. Add 2-3 glasses of hot water and
cook over medium heat for about 30 minutes.
If necessary, additional hot water should be
added while cooking.
Wash and finely chop the herbs. Add to the
mix, and continue cooking over medium heat
for about 15 minutes. Dissolve flour in a
glass of cold water, add in, and mix well.
Add reshteh and cook over low heat for 10-15
minutes. Strands of reshteh should remain
intact and uncut. Remove the mix from heat,
and pour kashk evenly over it. Add fried
onions on top.
Fry dried mint in oil for a few minutes. (If
fresh mint is used, wash and finely chop it,
then fry in oil.) Also add fried mint on top
of Aash-e Reshteh and serve
• 8 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon spoon white flour
• 1 tablespoon red currants; (zershk)
• 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts; (gerdoo)
• 1 teaspoon spoon salt.
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup cooking oil or butter
• 1/2 cup fresh chives/scallio, finely
choppe; (tarreh/piAzcheh)
• 2 cups finely chopped fresh parsely; (jafaree)
• 1/2 cup fresh coriander OR; (gheshneez)
• 2 tablespoon dried coriander
• 1/4 cup fresh or dried dill weed; (sheveed)
• 1/2 tablespoon dried fenugreek; (shanbelileh)
Directions:
Soak the
currants in cold water for 15 minutes before
cooking. Drain before adding them in.
In a bowl add the eggs, 1/2 of the cooking
oil and all other ingredients, with the
exception of fresh and dried vegetables.
Beat it with a fork until the ingredients
have been mixed well.
Add the vegetables, and stir the mixture
until the vegetables have blended in (do not
beat it any longer due to the delicate
nature of fresh vegetables).
Put the oven setting to bake at 250 degrees
(F). Pour the remainder of the cooking oil
in an oven safe dish. Pour the vegetable
mixture in the dish. Bake at this setting
for about 40-45 minutes. You may cover the
dish with aluminum foil at the beginning to
prevent over-drying of the top crust. Remove
the foil half way during the baking process.
Cut in square pieces before serving.
Notes:
Chives, sometimes called garlic chives are
the same as "tarreh". If you can't find
fresh chives, you can use the stems of
either scallions (piAzcheh) which are also
called green onions, or Leek which is the
same as "tarreh farangi". In either case you
do not have to use the bulbs but you can
