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Nourouz Compiled by: Reza Yarjibadi
Nourouz (Persian: نوروز, "New Day", originally "New Light") is the name of the New Year in Iranian calendars and the corresponding traditional celebrations. Nourouz is also widely referred to as the Persian New Year. Nourouz is celebrated and observed by Iranian people and the related cultural continent and has spread in many other parts of the world, including parts of Central Asia, South Asia, Northwestern China, the Crimea and some groups in the Balkans. Nourouz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in Iranian calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed.
The word ‘Eid’ in the Holy Qur’an The word ‘Eid’ has been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an once: “Said Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary): O Allah! Our Creator! Send down to us from Heavens food to be Eid for us….” (Al-ma’idah, 114) Some commentators have, in connection with commentaries on the above verse stated that the word ‘Eid’ is from the root “Oud” which denotes “return” to victories and comforts. In Islam there are certain geart “A’ayad” (plural of ‘Eid’) including “Eidu al-Adha and ‘Eid al-Fitr. Eid al Adha (the feast of sacrifice) is the festival observed by Muslims on 10th of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. Eid al-Fitr (the feast of the fast-breaking) is the festival observed by Muslims on 1th of the month of Shawwal after performing one-month sawm (fasting) during the month of Ramadan. These days are called ‘Eid’ because of the faithfull’s having attained spiritual purification after performing the related religious obligations and worship. As for the above-mentioned verse of the Holy Qur’an, it can be said that Prophet Jesus (AS) called that day of the descent of Heavenly food “Eid” because that day was day of return to purity, faith and salvation. Now let’s see what the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (AS),has remarked concerning ‘Eid’(Any day on which Allah is not disobeyed is an ‘Eid’. This comment by that exalted leader of humanity, Imam Ali (AS), certainly points to the fact that the day of avoiding sins is the day of salvation, purity and return to one’s original (pure) self. It has also been narrated that once a number of Persians brought some sweets as Nouruz gifts to the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (AS).His Holiness accepted the gift and then said jokingly:”Make everyday Nouruz for us.” Likewise, Imam Jafar as-Sadiq(AS), the sixth Infallible Imam, is quoted as having said: “Nouruz(Spring of Equinox) is the day on which the Holy Prophet(PBUH) took allegiance from the people for the Imamate of Imam Ali(AS) at Ghadir-Khum, and is the day on which Imam Ali(AS) gained victory over the Khawarej (renegades) at Nahravan, and is the day on which the Q’aim of us Ahl al-Bait will rise.” “Since the creation of the world has started on this Spring Equinox day, it is worthwhile to celebrate Nouruz as a day of joy and as a feast.” Sayyid Bin Tawus, a great theologian. “Nouruz is a day of great value.” Ibn-e Fahd, a great theologian. “Eid is a blessed day which the people celebrate, make merry, and exchange presents such as books, clothing and money.” From Dr. Mohammad Mu’in’s lexicon. Nourouz in Shi’a faith Twelver Shi’a hold the day of Nourouz in high regard. The day upon which Nourouz falls has been recommended as a day of fasting for Twelver Shi’a Muslims by Shi’a scholars, including Imam Khomeini, Abul-Qassim al-Khoei, and Ali al-Sistani. The day also assumes special significance for Shias as it was on 21 March 656 AD when the first Imam Hazrat Ali (A.S) assumed the office of Caliphate.
UN recognition of Nourouz The UN's General Assembly in 2010 recognized March 21 as the International Day of Nourouz, describing it a spring festival of Persian origin which has been celebrated for over 3,000 years and calling on world countries to draw on the holiday's rich history to promote peace and goodwill. During the meeting of The Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage of the United Nations, held between 28 September – 2 October 2009 in Abu Dhabi, Nourouz was officially registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In response to the UN recognition, Iran unveiled a postage stamp.
Nourouz, Celebration of LifeNourouz is the Iranian New Year festival. The word itself literally means "new day" in Persian (Farsi) and the festival marks the beginning of the solar year as well as the New Year on the Iranian and several other national calendars. Renewal: The Spirit of SeasonAs implied by its timing and natural significance, Nourouz is a time of renewal and symbolizes rebirth, awakening, cleanliness and newness. A national tradition in almost all regions of Iran is the annual Nourouz cleaning. Families wash their rugs and draperies, clean and wax their furniture and often repaint their homes' interior.
Nourouz, the Iranian New Year at Present Times
Nourouz, in word, means "New Day". It is the new day that starts the year, traditionally the exact astronomical beginning of the spring. Iranians take that as the beginning of the year. This exact second is called "Saal Tahvil".
Iranians consider Nourouz as their biggest celebration of the year, before the New Year, they start cleaning their houses (Khaane Tekaani), and they buy new clothes. But a major part of New Year rituals is setting the "Haft Seen" with seven specific items. In ancient times each of the items corresponded to one of the seven creations and the seven holy immortals protecting them. Today they are changed and modified but some have kept their symbolism.
The Arrival of New Year When the clock strikes New Year all the members of the family in their clean and new outfits gather around the Nourouz table and Haft seen. The family begins the New Year with a prayer for health, happiness and prosperity, usually along these lines: "O Reformer of hearts and minds, Director of day and night and Transformer of conditions, change ours to the best in accordance with Your will." After the initial celebration to welcome the New Year, the members of the family hug and kiss each other, eat the bounties prepared for the New Year and wish each other the best. Then the oldest member of the family (usually the father) presents the Eidi (New Year's gift) to younger members. The Eidi usually consists of new and unused paper money that have been put between the pages of the Holy Book. Visiting relatives during Nourouz is among other customs widely practiced.
Nourouz and the Symbolic Dishes
A ceremonial table called Sofreh-e Haft Sin (cloth of seven dishes), name of each dish beginning with the Persian letter Sinn.
Along with the seven articles, Muslims place the Holy Qur'an and Zoroastrians put the Avesta in their New Year table to implore God's blessings. A jar of water is sometimes added to symbolize purity and freshness, along with bread, a traditional symbol of a sustainer of life. It is usual to see fresh milk, cheese, fruits, dates and coins on the New Year table. Wild olives and apples are symbols of love and pomegranates are fruits venerated by Iranians. Coins are used to symbolize prosperity and spherical sour oranges represent the earth.
The symbolic dishes consist of: 1. Sabzeh or sprouts, usually wheat or lentil representing rebirth. 2. Samanu is a pudding in which common wheat sprouts are transformed and given new life as a sweet, creamy pudding and represents the ultimate sophistication of Persian cooking. 3. Seeb means apple and represents health and beauty. 4. Senjed the sweet, dry fruit of the Lotus tree, represents love. It has been said that when lotus tree is in full bloom, its fragrance and its fruit make people fall in love and become oblivious to all else. 5. Seer which is garlic in Persian, represents medicine. 6. Somaq sumac berries, represent the color of sunrise; with the appearance of the sun Good conquers Evil. 7. Serkeh or vinegar, represents age and patience To reconfirm all hopes and wishes expressed by the traditional foods, other elements and symbols are also on the sofreh): • a few coins placed on the sofreh represent prosperity and wealth; • a basket of painted eggs represents fertility; • a Seville orange floating in a bowl of water represents the earth floating in space; • a goldfish in a bowl represents life; • a flask of rose water known for its magical cleansing power, is also included on the tablecloth; • Nearby is a brazier for burning wild rue, a sacred herb whose smoldering fumes ward off evil spirits; • A pot of flowering hyacinth or narcissus is also set on the sofreh; • A mirror which represents the images and reflections of Creation as we celebrate anew the ancient Persian traditions and beliefs that creation took place on the first day of spring. • On either side of the mirror are two candlesticks holding a flickering candle for each child in the family. The candles represent enlightenment and happiness;
Nourouz promotes the culture of peace and prosperity The Nourouz festival has held out against many disastrous events and incursions, and the people of Iran have demonstrated their firm belief and determination to keep their traditions alive, expelling invaders sooner or later. Eventually expelled from Iran, the invaders realized Iranians would lead a free and independent life in their motherland safeguarding their ancient national culture. The Nourouz festival is the most popular celebration in our society’s history, literature, and poetry, and in the life of the people. The celebrations are also widely commemorated in Tajikistan, Iraqi Kurdistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Syria.
We should also remember that Iran is not restricted by its borders. Its spirit is bestowed with spiritual, cultural, religious, and national values inherited from centuries of hard work. The most outstanding feature of these values is found in Iran's national history, literature, Ferdowsi's masterpiece epic the Shahnameh, the poems of Hafez, Sadi, Rumi, and Baba Taher Hamedani, the couplets of Nezami, the Rubaiyat of Khayyam, Iranian traditional music, the intricate designs of the azure tiles of historical monuments, and Nourouz. On the eve of the new Iranian year, people across the world have a great responsibility to understand the universal message of Nourouz, since this noble tradition has been passed from generation to generation, with its deep philosophical heritage heralding universal humanitarian values. The message of Nourouz is social interaction, solidarity, unity, social justice, joy, companionship, happiness, freedom of expression, real democracy, and peace and prosperity for humanity.
Apart from certain ahadith that refer to the resting of Prophet Noah's (AS) Ark on Mount Joudi after the great flood and the parting of the sea-waters for Prophet Moses (AS) on the Spring Equinox there is a narration that says it will be the Spring Equinox when the Savior of mankind, Imam Mahdi (AJ) will reappear to rid the earth of all vestiges of vices and oppression and to fill it with the global government of peace and justice.
So the Day of Nourouz, on which fasting has also been recommended by the Infallible, is a day to strengthen spiritual values, a day of self and social reform, a day to stand firm against the pressures of the unjust and oppressive powers, and a day to renew allegiance to the Lord of the Age, Imam Mahdi (AJ).
In addition to the Iranians, with whom Nourouz is a national symbol, the day is reverently observed by Afghans, Central Asians, Turks, people of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as people in parts of the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. In several Arab lands of West Asia and North Africa, the Spring Equinox is celebrated as Eid al-Umm (Mother Nature's Day).
The Japanese also celebrate the spring festival in March and until the 18th century the Russian calendar used to start on March 24. In view of these facts, the Spring Equinox has been declared as a UN holiday.
Iranians prepare for Nourouz well in advance and start with a thorough cleaning of their houses since a famous hadith from the Prophet says: “Cleanliness is part of faith.” The spring is also a pleasant occasion to celebrate after the cold and dreary days of winter. Upon the arrival of spring one of the common traditions in Iran is cleaning the houses thoroughly and washing carpets and draperies and brushing furniture, In all towns and cities, cleanliness is well observed even on streets and public sites. In some localities, people by dividing works among themselves prepare for the New Year. The old and young, men and women work in a general voluntary mobilization for cleaning the locality and the place of work. As people clean their clothes and homes they make their chests the refuge of affection and sincerity. Thus, wishing well for everybody and showing fraternal feelings is a special feature of Nourouz.
Every year on the threshold of the New Year, public efforts to look into the needs of the poor and helping them are seen all over Iran. Every one vies to help the deprived sections and extend financial aid to them in order to gladden their hearts and provide a pleasant atmosphere. Actually on the last days of the year, people with the cooperation of the government engage in public mobilization of charity work for sharing happiness with the have-nots. Nourouz and the beginning of Spring is among the right occasions to put into practice one of the major recommendations of Islam that is renewal of friendship and strengthening of affection. Thus at the turn of the New Year, greetings are exchanged and affection replaces strained ties. Usually youngsters visit the elders with visits to one's parents a top priority. Gifts are also exchanged. People also visit hospitals to sympathize with patients and share with them the freshness of spring. Hospitals and rehabilitation centers witness the most beautiful scenes of sincerity and affection during these days. Most Iranians take the opportunity of Nourouz holidays to visit other cities and towns or plan trips abroad for change of atmosphere; historical sites and places with good climate are the favourite spots. The 13th of Farvardin is usually spent outdoors to provide a fitting end to the spring holidays, before start of school and return to normal working life.
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