Happy Nowruz! Nowruz, which translates to "new day," is the Persian New Year, celebrated by millions of people around the world, particularly in Iran and Central Asia. It marks the beginning of spring and the rebirth of nature after the cold winter months. The exact date of Nowruz varies depending on the astronomical calculation of the vernal equinox, but it usually falls on March 20th or 21st.
Nowruz has been celebrated for over 3,000 years and is deeply rooted in the traditions and cultures of the region. The festival has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity to acknowledge its importance and significance.
Preparations for Nowruz typically begin weeks in advance, with people cleaning their homes (a practice known as "khaneh tekani" or "shaking the house") and buying new clothes to wear for the celebration. Families also gather supplies for the "haft-seen" table, a traditional table setting that symbolizes various aspects of life and nature.
The haft-seen table typically includes seven items, each starting with the Persian letter "س" (pronounced "seen"), which represents the "s" sound. These items often include:
Sabzeh (سبزه): Wheat, barley, or lentil sprouts grown in a dish, symbolizing rebirth and growth.
Samanu (سمنو): A sweet pudding made from wheat germ, symbolizing affluence.
Senjed (سنجد): Dried oleaster fruit, symbolizing love.
Seer (سیر): Garlic, symbolizing medicine and good health.
Seeb (سیب): Apples, symbolizing beauty and health.
Somāq (سماق): Sumac fruit, symbolizing the sunrise and the triumph of good over evil.
Serkeh (سرکه): Vinegar, symbolizing patience and aging with grace.
Other items commonly included on the haft-seen table are a mirror, candles, painted eggs, a bowl of goldfish, and a copy of the Quran or other sacred texts.
Nowruz celebrations often include visiting family and friends, exchanging gifts, and feasting on traditional foods. It is a time for renewal, reflection, and hope for the future. It is also a time when people traditionally visit the graves of their loved ones, clean the gravesites, and pay their respects.
The holiday culminates in Sizdah Bedar, the thirteenth day of Nowruz, when people spend the day outdoors, enjoying nature and picnicking with family and friends. It is believed that spending time outside on this day brings good luck for the year ahead.
Overall, Nowruz is a celebration of life, nature, and the triumph of light over darkness. It is a time for joy, unity, and renewal, as people come together to welcome the arrival of spring and the promise of a new beginning.
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