By: Helia Zargar

Nowruz, which means “new day” in Farsi, originated in ancient Persia over 3,000 years ago. Nowruz is a 13-day festival that began this year at 5:24 p.m. on March 20, 2023. Nowruz represents the power of new beginnings, as it is the time to welcome spring and the blessed new year. On the first day of the vernal equinox, Iranians celebrate the arrival of spring and mark the end of winter. Nowruz is based on astronomical celestial events rather than religious events and is deeply rooted in Zoroastrian rituals and traditions.

Leading up to Nowruz, there are rituals and cultural pre-celebrations. Chahar-Shanbeh-Suri (چهارشنبه سوری), otherwise known as Iranian Bonfire Night, is the prelude to Nowruz in which people light bonfires and jump over them while singing and repeating phrases welcoming the new year. Chahar-Shanbeh-Suri means “Eve of Red Wednesday” in Persian, and it is held every year on the last Wednesday of the year, with the fire representing enlightenment, light, and goodness in life.

Haft Seen (هفت سین) comprises the following 7 symbolic items starting with the letter ”S” in Persian: Samanu is a sweet Persian pudding made of wheat sprouts that symbolizes the sweet moments in life. Senjed, or sweet berry, is a delicious dried fruit that represents love. Sumaq has a crimson color representing the dawn before sunrise, and thus the victory of light over darkness. Serkeh, or vinegar, represents patience, age, and wisdom. Sib, also known as apples, are symbols of beauty. Sir, or garlic, represents health. Finally, Sabze, or wheat, represents rebirth and renewal of nature. Sabze can be grown in dishes days before Nowruz from wheat or lentil seeds, or purchased from Nowruz bazaars. Furthermore, they also include items such as a mirror, candles, the Quran or poems by Hafez, coins, painted eggs, goldfish, and seasonal Hyacinth flowers. All of these items have symbolic meanings related to wealth, community, family, health, prosperity, and beginning anew with a clean slate.

Nowruz rituals and actions, such as Haft Seen and Chahar-Shanbe-Suri, are used to celebrate in groups, reminding families to renew their commitment to community and togetherness. This is a time for Iranians to visit relatives and friends with whom they have not previously communicated.

Nowruz represents a time of renewal and recommitment to community, ushering in the new year with hope for the future and ushering out the hardships of previous seasons. However, this Nowruz is a solemn occasion because it falls in the midst of protests and ongoing unrest in Iran. The joyous celebrations are tempered by the fact that many Iranians are fighting for their freedom in the aftermath of Mahsa Amini’s arrest and death, which sparked months of anti-regime protests over human rights and security.

As Iranians welcome the arrival of spring and the new year, this Nowruz will contribute to the strengthening of bonds for one and another based on mutual ideals of peace, generosity, and neighborliness for this year and many years to come.

Nowruz Mubarak, 

عید نوروز بر شما، خانواده، دوستان و عزیزان تان مبارک باد

Works Cited

“Celebrates Nowruz/Persian New Year | News | City of West Hollywood.” City of West Hollywood, 17 March 2023, https://www.weho.org/Home/Components/News/News/10769/23. Accessed 20 March 2023.

“Nowruz | Persian New Year Explained.” Persian Food Tour, 15 January 2020, http://persianfoodtours.com/nowruz-persian-new-year/. Accessed 20 March 2023.