Nowruz with
Iranian characteristics is deeply rooted in the traditions of
Zoroastrian belief system. This was the religion of Ancient
Persia before the advent of Islam 1400 years ago. It is known as
the mother religion in the area. The familiar concepts of Hell,
Heaven, Resurrection, coming of the Messiah, individual and last
judgment were for the first time incorporated into this belief
system. They still exist in Judo-Christian and Islamic
traditions.
According to Zoroastrians’ cosmology there are two primal
forces. Everything that produced life, protected and enriched it
was regarded as good. This included all forces of nature
beneficial to humans. Earth, waters, sky, animals, plants were
all good. Justice, honesty, peace, health, beauty, joy and
happiness were regarded as belonging to the good forces. All
that threatened life and created disorder belonged to the
hostile spirits. The two worlds created did not have a material
form but the essence of everything was present. The two existed
side by side for three thousand years, but completely separate
from each other. At the end of the third millennium the Hostile
Spirit saw light, wanted it and attacked the good world. The
Lord of Wisdom in order to protect his world created the
material world "Gaeity".
Geety in modern Persian. This material world was created at
seven different stages. The first creation was the sky, a big
chunk of stone high above. The second creation was the first
ocean, at the bottom. Earth a big flat dish sitting on the ocean
was the third. The next three creations were the prototypes of
all life forms. The first plant, the first animal a bull and the
first human Gayo-maretan (Kiomarth), both male and female. The
seventh creation was fire and sun together.
The struggle continues for 12000 years. There are four periods,
each 3000 years. At the last phase several saviors come and the
last one Saoshyant will save the world. When he comes there is
resurrection, walking over the Chinvat Bridge (Sarat Bridge in
Quran) and last judgement. We recognize this figure as Time Lord
(Imam Zaman) in Iranian version of Shiite Islam.
In
order to protect his creations the Lord of Wisdom also created six holy
immortals, Amesha Spenta one for each creation. Khashtra (Sharivar), the
protector of sky, Asha-Vahishta (Ordibehesht) protected fire. Vahu Manah
(Bahman) for all animals, Haurvatat (Khordad) protected all waters,
Spenta Armaiti (Esphand) a female deity protector of mother earth and
Ameratat (Amurdad) supported all plant life. Ahura Mazda himself became
the protector of all humans and the holy fire.
There was one problem with this material world, it did not have a life
cycle. The sun did not move. There were no days or nights and no
seasons. The three prototypes of life were sacrificed. From the plant
came the seeds of all plants. The bull produced all animals and from the
human came the first male and female. The rest of the humanity was
created from their union. The cycle of life started. Sun moved, there
was day, night and the seasons. This was called the first No Ruz.
The Lord of Wisdom also created guardian angles (forouhars) for all
living beings. Every human had one as long as they stayed with the good
forces. As we see in the myth of Azydahak in Avesta, the Zoroastrians’
holy book. We know this figure as Zahak in modern Persian. A prince, he
chooses the Hostile Spirit as his protector. He was made a king, ruled
for 999 years and became immortal.
Zoroaster (Zardosht) the architect of this cosmology introduced many
feasts, festivals and rituals to pay homage to the seven creations and
the holy immortals. Seven were amongst the most important. They are
known as Gahambars, feasts of obligation. The last and the most
elaborate was No Ruz, celebrating the Lord of Wisdom and the holy fire
at the time of spring equinox.
The ancient Zoroastrians would celebrate the first five days of No Ruz,
but it was the sixth day that was the most important of all. This day
was called the Great No Ruz (No Ruze bozorg) and is assumed to be the
birthday of Zoroaster himself. Zoroastrians today still celebrate this
day, but it has lost its significance for the rest of the Iranians.
Modern Iranians celebrate New Year for 13 days only. The first few days
are spent visiting older members of the family other relatives and
friends. Gifts are exchanged; sweets and feasts will be consumed. At the
last day, the 13th of the first month, all people will leave their homes
to go to the parks or rural areas to spend a day in nature. Again this
was not celebrated in this manner before and might be several rituals in
one. A major part of the New Year rituals is setting a special table
with seven specific items present, Haft Sin (Haft chin, seven crops
before Islam). In the ancient times each of the items corresponded to
one of the seven creations and the seven holy immortals protecting them.
