Nowruz is Iranian
New Year. 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. 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. The origins of NoRuz are unknown, but
they go back several thousand years predating the Achaemenian
Dynasty.
The ancient Iranians had a festival of sorrow and mourning,
signifying the end of life while the festival of NoRuz, at the
beginning of spring signified rebirth, and was a time of great
joy and celebration. An ancient symbolic representation of NoRuz
is based around the idea of the triumph of good over evil
Nowruz
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. The ceremonial cloth is
set up in each household. Troubadours, referred to as Haji Firuz,
disguise themselves with makeup and wear brightly colored outfits of
satin. These Haji Firuz, singing and dancing, parade as a carnival
through the streets with tambourines, kettle drums, and trumpets to
spread good cheer and the news of the coming new year.
In harmony with the rebirth of nature, the two-week Persian New Year
celebration, or Nowruz, always begins on the first day of spring (the
first day of the month of Farvardin, which refers to "the spirits")
marked by the vernal equinox, or Tahvil. On that day-which may occur on
March 20, 21, or 22 - the sun crosses the celestial equator.
Creating a balance with nature and maintaining order are very relevant.
These are the lessons we can learn from such a wonderful and ancient
tradition. So happy New Year, enjoy the festival. Joy and happiness were
regarded as major forces defeating the hostile spirits. This is why we
are still celebrating this occasion after 3000 years.
Nowruz ceremonies consist of a series of symbolic actions dating back to
ancient times including, cleaning of the environment, cleansing of the
self, confession of sins, the exorcising of devils, or divs, from the
house and the community; forgive yourself and your enemies and a time
for making up relationships, dowsing and re-lighting the fires;
processions to borders, seas, and rivers; disruption of the normal order
of things with boisterous parties.
