Symbolism behind Norooz: The Persian New Year...

ORIGIN OF THE HOLIDAY: NOROOZ نوروز

March is a month of celebration. March 20 is when winter becomes spring. This transition of the season is the Spring Equinox, celebrated since ancient times, by people in many regions of central Asia and the middle-east. These regions were once part of the Persian Empire. The ancient Zoroastrian Persians celebrated this time as the New Year. It has been believed that it was introduced by Ahura-Mazda. They marked this occasion with many festivities that are still being observed by Persians all over the world to this day. You can equate the magnitude of the holiday to Christmas. Families and friends gather and visit each-other around the holiday and after. There is even a gift exchange. It is usually in the form of a monetary gift given from the elders to the children.

Ahura-Mazda - The highest deity of worship in Zoroastrianism. Ahura means Light and Mazda means Wisdom.

I have listed some of the traditional elements of the season below...

SPRING CLEANING: KHANEH TEKANI خانه‌تکانی

"Khaneh Tekani" literally means to shake-down the house. It is the act of Spring Cleaning. Many households follow this tradition by taking the time to clean, make updates and organize their home to be ready for the new year. It's the perfect metaphor for starting fresh!

FIRE FESTIVAL: CHAHARSHANBEH SURI چهارشنبه ‌سوری

One of the first moments that makes one feel in the mood of the season is a fun and lively event called Chaharshanbeh Suri. It is celebrated on the last Wednesday of the year. The high-point of the event is jumping over a small bon-fire. This is a symbolic ritual act of cleansing the soul toward happiness and enlightenment in the coming year. The phrase "Sorkhi-ye to az man; Zardi-ye man az to" is shouted as the person jumps over the fire. It is meant to be directed to the flame, literally translated "give me your beautiful red color; remove my pale yellowness". Many people, young and old gather to celebrate. You can often see people laughing and dancing to the sound of drum circles throughout the night. Ajeel, a type of Persian trail mix, is traditionally served as a snack and is shared all throughout the new year festivities. The mixture varies based on preference and availability of ingredients.

BONFIRE on the beach

AJEEL - mixed nuts, raisins and dried berries

SYMBOLIC DISPLAY: THE HAFT-SEEN هفت‌سین‎

Throughout the Norooz celebration, 7 Symbolic Items along with other meaningful objects are put on display. The translation is from Farsi: "Haft" = 7, and "Seen" = S. The 7 items are supposed to be edible, although throughout the years, some of the items have been substituted for non-edible objects. It may be due to the fact that this decoration is usually out on display for several days and most edible items are perishable.

1. SABZEH - Wheat or barley sprouts to symbolize plants.

GOLDFISH - to symbolize life

2. "SEK'KEH" - coins to symbolize a prosperous future. The ones pictured above are non-denominal. They are just decorative to serve the purpose.

This coin is a commemorative Pahlavi coin in solid gold with the Cyrus Cylinder on the back.

3. "SONBOL" - Hyacinth: symbolizing rebirth

4. "SEER" - garlic: to symbolize medicine/health

5. "SEEB" - apples: symbolizing health and natural beauty

6. "SOMAGH" - dried and ground sumac fruit: to symbolize old age and the color of sunrise

MIRROR: symbolizes the sky

DECORATED EGGS: Symbolizing fertility

7. SAMANOO: Sweet pudding made from wheat germ: symbolizing sweetness and fertility

There are many more items that can be displayed along with the ones I just listed. These are just the most common items. You can read more about the meaning behind the Haft-Seen here and here.

SWEETS

Sweets are usually passed around after the transition of the New Year. I wanted to share with you the common sweets that are usually served. I must tell you that I have had first-hand experience in having these goodies and they are truly amazing. If you ever have a chance to try one, don't pass it up! They are especially good with a nice hot cup of tea, Persian Tea!

BAKLAVA 

CHICKPEA COOKIES

RICE COOKIES

TOOT (Marzipan)

ZOOLBIYA & BAMIYEH

A RANDOM MIXTURE OF POPULAR AND TASTY SWEETS

TEA, NICE AND HOT

Sizdah Bedar {13-bedar} سیزده بدر‎

Literally means leaving the house on the 13th day of the first month of the year. This day meant to be spent outdoors in nature among friends and family. It is a happy and fun occasion marked by music, a picnic and walks in the countryside. It became a tradition since many people believed that the number 13 was an unlucky number and had to be removed or ignored. Ancient Zoroastrian beliefs included that laughter and joy symbolized the disposal of negativity and bad thoughts. One 13-bedar tradition is tying a knot in the grass by "single" women in the hopes that they will be married in the coming year. Another tradition is that the sabzeh is brought to the outing and is usually thrown into a river or stream. It is believed that the sabzeh captured all the negativity and sickness within the household, and the act of throwing it in the river meant that it washed away that negativity.

ART

These are some images i've found that really capture the feeling of the Norooz. They juxtapose ancient Persian themes with traditional elements of the Haft-Seen.

MUSIC

Here is a traditional song heard during the Norooz festivities...



GREETING CARDS

Just a few cards I designed for the occasion...

Old World Haft-Seen Notecard in Grass

Ancient Sphinx & Vessel Notecard in Turmuric

Abstract Hyacinth Card in Pearl

I hope this information shines a light on the Persian New Year holiday to those who are not familiar with it. Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. I welcome your feedback as well.

I truly enjoy this time of year and am always waiting anxiously for it to arrive.

Thanks for visiting.

XO