Persian New Year (Nowruz): Celebrating the Spring Equinox

Nowruz: A Time for Renewal

## Nowruz: A Time for Renewal

Nowruz (pronounced no-ROOZ) is the Persian New Year, which marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the new year on the Iranian calendar. It is celebrated on the vernal equinox, which occurs on March 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere. Nowruz is a time for renewal, both on a personal and societal level. It is a time to reflect on the past year and to set goals for the year ahead. It is also a time to celebrate with family and friends and to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Nowruz is one of the oldest and most important holidays in the world. It has been celebrated for over 3,000 years and is observed by people of all faiths and cultures in Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and other countries. Nowruz is also celebrated by Kurdish, Bosnian, Albanian, and other communities around the world.

The word "Nowruz" comes from the Old Persian word "nau" meaning "new" and "ruz" meaning "day." Nowruz is also known as the "Festival of Spring" and the "Day of Renewal."

## Celebrating the Spring Equinox

Nowruz is celebrated on the first day of spring, which marks the beginning of the new year on the Iranian calendar. The date of Nowruz is determined by the vernal equinox, which occurs on March 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere.

Nowruz is a time for renewal, both on a personal and societal level. It is a time to reflect on the past year and to set goals for the year ahead. It is also a time to celebrate with family and friends and to enjoy the beauty of nature.

There are many different ways to celebrate Nowruz. Some of the most common traditions include:

* **Setting up a Haft-sin table.** The Haft-sin table is a traditional Nowruz decoration that is typically set up on the eve of Nowruz. The table is decorated with seven items that all begin with the letter "s" in Persian, including:
    * Sabzeh (green sprouts): symbolizing new growth
    * Samanak (sweet pudding): symbolizing sweetness and prosperity
    * Serkeh (vinegar): symbolizing patience
    * Sumaq (dried berries): symbolizing fertility
    * Sib (apple): symbolizing beauty and health
    * Senjed (dried fruit): symbolizing love
    * Sir (garlic): symbolizing protection
* **Eating traditional Nowruz foods.** There are many traditional Nowruz foods that are enjoyed during the holiday, including:
    * Ash-e reshteh (a noodle soup with herbs and vegetables)
    * Sabzi polo (rice with herbs and vegetables)
    * Zereshk polo (rice with barberries)
    * Kookoo sabzi (a frittata with herbs and vegetables)
* **Visiting family and friends.** Nowruz is a time for families and friends to come together and celebrate. It is common to visit relatives and friends on Nowruz and to exchange gifts.
* **Going for walks in nature.** Nowruz is a time to enjoy the beauty of nature. It is common to go for walks in parks and gardens on Nowruz and to appreciate the springtime flowers.

Nowruz is a time for renewal, both on a personal and societal level. It is a time to reflect on the past year and to set goals for the year ahead. It is also a time to celebrate with family and friends and to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Nowruz is a beautiful holiday that is celebrated by people all over the world. It is a time for renewal, both on a personal and societal level. It is a time to reflect on the past year and to set goals for the year ahead. It is also a time to celebrate with family and friends and to enjoy the beauty of nature.