What is
Nowruz
and why is it celebrated?
Nowruz celebrates the spring equinox and the start of a new year on the
solar calendar. Nowruz is celebrated in many countries, inclduing
Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey as the start of a new year. Nowruz means
"new day" in Farsi and is steeped in ancient
Persian
and
Zorastrian
traditions.
Leading up to Nowruz, families will clean their homes and visit with
loved ones. The Wednesday before Nowruz is known as Charshanbe Suri,
where families gather to jump over small bonfires to burn away ill-heath
and replace it with warmth and energy from the fires. A signficant part
of Nowruz is the haft-sin. The haft-sin is an arrangement of seven (haft
هفت) symbols of nature that begin with the letter s (sin س). The seven
symbols are:
- Sabzeh (سبزه) sprouted grass symbolizing growth and rebirth
- Samanu (سمنو) a rice pudding symbolizing power and strength
- Serkeh (سرکه) vinegar symbolizing patience and wisdom
- Senjed (سنجد) an olive symbolizing love
- Seeb (سیب) an apple symbolizing beauty
- Sumac (سماق) symbolizing the sunrise
- Seer (سیر) garlic symbolizing health