The Story of Nowruz, the Persian New Year by California Humanities Board Member Shiva Farivar - California Humanities (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of Nowruz Persian New Year? ›

The festival first appears described in written Persian texts of the first centuries ce during the Parthian empire under the Arsacid dynasty (247 bce–224 ce) and continued to be celebrated during the Sasanian era (224–651 ce), under which Zoroastrianism became the state religion.

Nowruz is a holiday marking the Persian New Year and the first day of spring. Originating more than 3,000 years ago, the 13-day festival symbolizes renewal and harmony with nature. It begins at the exact moment of the Northern Hemisphere's vernal equinox, typically between March 19 and 22.

Nowruz 2024: Date and Timings

This year, it will be celebrated on March 20, 2024, Wednesday, with the exact moment of the vernal equinox occurring at 6:36 AM in Tehran, Iran.

It refers to a traditional Persian custom where a table is set with seven symbolic items, each starting with the Persian letter “sin” (س). These items typically represent blessings, renewal, and good fortune, and they are arranged on the table in preparation for Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebration.

To this day in Iran, Nowruz celebrations are sometimes known as Nowruze Jamshidi. According to the myth, Jamshid was carried through the air in a chariot, a feat that so amazed his subjects that they established a festival on that day.

During the Taliban regime of 1996–2001, Nauruz was banned as "an ancient pagan holiday centered on fire worship". In March 2022, the Taliban said that Nauruz would not be a public holiday that year, although allowed celebrations to take place.

We celebrated the start of Spring with Nowruz, the Persian New Year! Complete with a traditional haft seen, a belated and re-imagined chaharshanbe suri, and music from the Chloe Pourmorady Ensemble. Despite its Zoroastrian origins, Nowruz is now celebrated by a diverse group of people, including many Persian Jews.

What are its origins? Exactly when Nowruz began as a festival is unclear, though many believe it to date back around 3,000 years ago, with roots in Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions.

Celebrating Nowruz means the affirmation of life in harmony with nature, awareness of the inseparable link between constructive labour and natural cycles of renewal and a solicitous and respectful attitude towards natural sources of life.

Nowruz has roots in Zoroastrianism, which was founded in Persia in the sixth century BCE. The Persian calendar, known as the Solar Hijri calendar, is a solar calendar that is based on Earth's movements around the Sun. Nowruz is the first day of the year on the Persian calendar.

What is the 13 days of Nowruz? ›

Thus, Nowruz begins on March 20 or 21 and lasts 13 days. Each day represents a month of the year. The 13th day is spent releasing bad luck, as 13 is considered unlucky. Nowruz traditions vary between regions, but there are many universal themes.

Sabzi Polo is traditionally served for Nowruz dinner or lunch. 'Sabz' in Persian means green and the abundance of fresh green herbs in this dish symbolizes new life and rebirth. Sabzi polo is typically served with a fish dish like mahi sorkh shodeh (fried fish) and mahi doodi (smoked fish).

Serkeh (سرکه): vinegar -- the symbol of age and patience. Seeb (سیب): apple -- the symbol of beauty. Seer (سیر): garlic -- the symbol of health and medicine. Other items that start with Persian letter "س" that are sometimes included: Sonbol (سنبل): hyacinth -- the symbol of spring's arrival.

It's the day when winter changes into spring in the northern hemisphere, and it feels like a new beginning. In Iran it is followed by four days of public holidays, and schools and universities close for two weeks.

The Parsi New Year is a regional holiday celebrated on the first day of the Zoroastrian calendar's first month, Farvardin. It is also known as Navroz, which is derived from 'nav' and 'roz', meaning new and day respectively in Persian.

Nowruz is celebrated by several ethnic groups.

Nowruz is celebrated and observed by various ethnic groups across Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Balkans, including Iranian, Pakistani, Afghan, Turkish, Tajik, and Kurdish communities.

Haft Sin: Seven S Of Nowruz. Discover the enchanting tradition of Haft-Sin, the centerpiece of Persian New Year, or Nowruz. This ancient ceremonial table showcases the 7 'S's—seven items starting with the letter 'S' in Persian, each symbolizing hope, renewal, and prosperity for the coming year.