Norooz or Now-Ruz is the Persian New Year and is celebrated by Iranians worldwide. The English meaning of Norooz is New Day and it is the most favorite and anticipated celebration. This important event corresponds with the beginning date of the vernal equinox. In fact, Norooz is an ancient holiday transmitted over the millennia from generation to generation. It was celebrated and renewed since ancient Sumerians, Mesopotamians, Akkadians and Persians until today.
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Norooz is one of the oldest traditions of humanity (more than 5,000 years old).
Chahar Shanbeh Suri – Red Wednesday Bonfire Festival
Chahar Shanbeh Suri means Red Wednesday Bonfire Festival and is celebrated on the eve of Wednesday before Norooz.. It is also known as Festival of the last Wednesday or Feast of the Festival.
Everyone dresses in white sheets. In fact, it is a connection with the spirits world. In many ways, it is similar with Halloween.
Everyone dressed in white will run on the streets and will hit their pans or pats with spoons.
The most important moment of this evening is to set seven fires. Children and adults will jump over fires singing. They all celebrate the life renewal.
It is believed that whatever you wish in this evening, it will become true. It is a beautiful custom to prepare a noodle and bean soup and give to the poor.
Sal Tahvil (Sa’at-e Tahvil) – New Year’s Eve
Sal Tahvil is the New Year’s Eve and corresponds exactly to Spring Equinox. Although the Spring Equinox takes place at various points in time and therefore there are different dates every year, Sal Tahvil remains March 20th.
Sal Tahvil is a very important moment of Norroz. It is the time of forgivness, it is the time to rework the old relationships between people and building new ones. All put their petty differences aside and try to rebuild their relations of friendship or kinship.
Friends and relatives dressed in new clothes, gather together to follow carefully at radio or TV, the passing of the final hours of the old year.
The first moments of the New Year are met with cries of joy, kisses, wishes and congratulations. Everyone exchanges “Eid-i Shoma Mobarak!” or “Sal-e No Mobarak!” (“Happy New Year!”).
Because many believe that the first person to come through the door, in the New Year, will decide how will be the year, is the custom to let the innocent family (a child) member outside and to be received as a guest inside.
Together with the New Year the songs and dances of the troubadours such as Haji Firuz and Amoo Norooz will enter in the house. In fact,
Amoo Norooz is a relative of Santa Claus and is responsible for children’s gifts.
Another fun and beautiful tradition is the painting of the eggs. It has much in common with Easter tradition. It is fun and educative tradition for kids. The best time to paint eggs it is a day before Norooz.
Also is very important to start growing sabzeh (green sprouts) with 2-3 weeks before Norooz.
Tradition says to spend the New Year eve with your friends. After that, begin the 13 days of visits. You will meet with relatives, friends and neighbors. Children will get gifts and everybody is happy.
The last day is called Seezdah Bedar and is a long picnic. Everyone wake up in the morning and start to prepare for this long picnic.
Seezdah Bedar is a big day of hope. The day is spent going for long walks, playing games, eating and drinking.
Eid-i Shoma Mobarak! (Happy New Year!)
Unique Ornaments for Your Home, Tree Branches (howtobuildahouseblog.com)
