Nowruz Worldwide

In many nations across the world, the New Year starts with a religious, national, or political event. Still, Nowruz is a cosmic festival in line with the rebirth of nature, having no link with national or religious events. Nowruz is one of the most ancient fetes in the world, marked particularly in Iran and countries with cultural and traditional commonalities with this territory. Although Nowruz is a heritage of our ancestors, being millennia-old in Iran, other countries like Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, India, Tajikistan, and Iraq are among the nations celebrating it.    

Nowruz Customs

Nowruz is accompanied by its special rituals, which may minorly differ in various countries. Some of them are as follows:

Growing Seeds (Wheat, Lentil, Mung Bean, etc.)

Our ancestors believed that greens symbolized blessing and fertility. They used to plant wheat, barley, and millet, which were their staples, to have a blessed year. This tradition still lives on and Iranians view greens as the symbol of freshness and the blessing of life.

New Clothes

In the days leading to Nowruz, family members go out to buy clothes and fabrics to renew their apparel. Iranians believe that renewing even a small piece of their apparel would be necessary to welcome the advent of spring.

Haftsin

One of the most important traditions of Nowruz is setting the Haftsin table; in fact, everyone knows Nowruz with the Haftsin table. In ancient Iran, seven was a sacred number; therefore, setting the Haftsin table is a sign of good fortune and blessing. Vinegar, elderberry, coin, semolina, herbs, sumac, and garlic are among the main symbols used in setting the Haftsin table. Also, eggs, water, the Quran, mirrors, and apples are among the other symbols placed on the Haftsin table. The Haftsin table must be prepared before the start of the New Year.

Family Visits

Another rite of Nowruz is family visits during which seniors of every family are visited. In some cases, even scientific and social figures may also receive such visits. Normally, all family members attend such visits that are carried out immediately after the New Year begins. In the meantime, some people decide to visit those who may have lost their loved ones recently. 

Sizdah Bedar

“Sizdah Bedar” is among the common ceremonies of every New Year. Iranians attach great significance to this ancient ritual. It marks the triumph of the god of rain over the demon of drought. It falls on the 13th of the first month of the calendar year. The word “Sizdah” means thirteen in Persian. On this day, people often spend time outdoors:  gather together in plains or by streams and or rivers to throw what they have planted into the water and wish for a blessed year. They spend the entire day outdoors.

Amu Nowruz

One of the best-known legends is the story of Amu Nowruz and Nane Sarma, marking the beginning of the Persian New Year. Someone wearing a white beard, velvet hat, silk belt, white shawl, and holding a walker reaches the gate of the city to bring gifts to children, similar to Santa Claus.

Haji Firouz

Haji Firouz is a legendary figure in Iranian culture. Haji Firouz comes to cities along with Amu Nowruz to announce the advent of Nowruz. Haji Firouz’s face is painted in black, holding a spindle-shaped hat and red shirt. Haji Firouz dances along with music in the streets.

Mir-e Nowruzi

Mir-e Nowruzi (lit. “The prince of the New Year festivities”) or Padešāh-e Nowruz (lit. “The king of the New Year festivities”), the carnivalesque ritual of electing a commoner to rule for a period of one to five days over the country; it belongs to the traditional Nowruz festival. The custom of the “false emir” or “Nowruz ruler” leading a procession through the city has been traced back to pre-Islamic Nowruz traditions. 

The festival begins on the sixth day of Nowruz with the election of the Mir-e Nowruzi by the people.  After his enthronement, he organizes an army and forms a government.  The Mir-e Nowruzi enjoys considerable authority, including the prerogative to punish his subjects, as well as offering wild promises of wealth and fortune.  After his few days of reign, the Mir-e Nowruzi is dethroned and has to disappear.  The entire carnivalesque ritual is conducted in a spirit of gaiety and lightheartedness. 

In 2010, the UN recognized Nowruz as an international fete. Nowruz is the messenger of peace, friendship, and hope for a bright future. It continues to link various countries culturally.

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