Ahhh, spring. The birds singing, the air fresh and crisp and the intoxication of beautiful flowers, all a sign of new beginnings. And, what better way to celebrate a new beginning than by observing Norooz (or Nowruz), otherwise known as Persian New Year. The word Norooz means “new light” or “new day” and is a symbolic and important festivity to welcome the newness of spring.
Finding new, yet still representative, ways to celebrate Norooz can begin simply. Baskets of dried fruit and nuts are already made available. Or even presenting friends with a Money Tree, symbolic of good fortune, can all be found here.
Background
In 2009, Canada passed a bill to add Norooz, to the national calendar. The Iranian calendar differs in dates, thus, while it is 2011 in the Gregorian calendar, it will be 1390 this Persian New Year. Norooz, is recognized by Iranian peoples as being one of the most important holidays in their calendar, but is now being observed and celebrated in other parts of the world, including parts of Asia and south eastern Europe.
Norooz is celebrated on or about March 21st, the day that the center of the sun is reported to be vertically overhead the equator. Even though late March will provide the day for festivities, the preparations for said day begin at the start of the Month.
Traditional Preparations and Festivities
The first part of preparations includes a spring cleaning of the entire house. It is symbolic of “rebirth”. New clothes are purchased and flowers are displayed in the home, most popularly the hyacinth and tulip.
A traditional table setting, known as the Sofreh or Haft-Sin (seven S’s) is displayed in each home, until the New Year. The table is made up of seven items, all beginning with the letter “S” in the Persian alphabet. The items all correlate to certain elements of life, such as, wheat sprouts (sabzeh) to symbolize rebirth, vinegar (serkeh ) symbolizing age and patience, or apples (sib) symbolizing beauty and health. Over the years the table’s items have expanded to include, coins symbolizing wealth (sekkeh), a mirror symbolizing cleanliness and honesty, a holy book like the Qur’an, and a hyacinth plant (sonbol).
Short visits between friends and family are expected within the 12 days prior to the New Year, wherein the visits are reciprocated. Varying traditions and festivities are followed until the 13th day, when gifts are exchanged and people picnic and party outdoors in an attempt to avoid the bad luck associated with the number 13.
Gift exchange between friends and relatives include dried fruit and nuts, liquor and flowers. These are terrific choices. Gift exchange should not be confused with “eydi” (New-year gift), wherein the head of the household presents family members with fresh bank notes or coins as a gift.
Haji Firouz, is seen as the herald of the event. A man in bright red clothing and a painted black face dances and sings along the streets intending to spread good cheer. He too is a symbol of rebirth, as he represents the Sumerian god of sacrifice who is killed at the end of each year and then reborn at the start of the New Year.
The festival of fire (Chahârshanbe Sûrî), is another important event wherein bonfires are created and jumped over in a symbol of letting light in or the good, and keeping darkness, the bad, out.
Embracing the holiday of Norooz, is the same as embracing the future and new life. Regardless of your own rituals for spring, opening the door to a revitalization like Norooz, is a great motivator for your future. Wherever you may be this Norooz, have a happy, safe and prosperous New Year.
