Iranian New Year
Nowruz is a celebration of the end of an old year and the start of a new year, very similar to America’s New Year on Jan.1.
Nowruz comes from the oldest Monotheistic religion called Zoroastrianism. This religion is mostly practiced in Persia and India and predates Islam and Christianity. Although Iran is a majority Muslim country, many of the traditions of Zoroastrianism are still practiced to this day.
This holiday is typically celebrated during the start of Spring around Mar. 19-20-21. The celebration follows the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar and falls on the first day of spring.
The Wednesday before New Year is called Chaharshanbe Suri. Suri means red rose and in this context, the translation means Red Wednesday, a celebration where you jump over fire and say the phrase: “Let your beautiful redness be mine, my pale yellowness be yours.” The tradition symbolizes getting rid of your bad luck and having a clean slate coming into the new year.
In the days leading up to Nowruz, families make a Sofreh Haft Seen. A Sofreh is a table spread made on top of a cloth that holds a variety of data-x-items that signify different spiritual beliefs. On top of the Sofreh, you have the seven traditional S’s:
Somogh (sumac): it represents the sunrize and beauty/color of it
Serkeh (vinegar): the age of people and the patience they have
Seer (garlic): medicine and healing
Samanoo (sweet pudding): brings wealth and money, also very common for elders to pass out money to the children in replace of samanoo.
Sabzee (sprouts): represent new growth
Seeb (apple): health and beauty this also can be represented with a mirror
Miveh (fruits): love
The Sofreh has many different things but their representations can vary from family to family.
The traditional meal that Iranians eat on Nowruz is Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi (fish and rice with herbs) which represents life and longevity, but it is common for many other staples of Iranian cuisine to be on the table as well. Some dishes that are common on the dinner table during nowruz include: Ghormeh Sabzi, Kabob Koobideh, Khoresh-e gheymeh, and salad shirazi.
On the day of Nowruz, you are typically with your friends and family and have a countdown very similar to the Ball Drop in New York. When 8:06 p.m hits you hug and kiss the people around you saying “Aid-e shoma Mobarak” a saying in Farsi that translates to Happy New Year.
The celebration of Nowruz is beautiful in more ways than one. The foods, culture, and people you surround yourself with are what truly makes it so special. Nowruz is an ancient tradition that is very significant to Persians worldwide. Although Nowruz is an Iranian tradition, everyone is welcome to participate.
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