MAIN Holidays & Observances Nowruz 2023

Nowruz Mobarak!
Traditions | E-Cards | Recipes

A beloved Nowruz New Year tradition is growing Sabzeh, or sprouts made from lentils or wheat seeds, which create an edible centerpiece symbolizing birth and growth.

Nowruz [or norooz, pronounced NO-ROOZ] in Persian means "New-day".

Annual celebrations mark the start of spring and the beginning of a new year.

Nowruz begins precisely at the vernal equinox, on the 1st day of Farvardin of the Islamic solar calendar, usually on March 20th or 21st.

This year, Nowruz falls on Monday, March 20, 2023.

It is a time of great joy and family celebrations that are shared by people of all faiths in many countries and traces its history back through the centuries to the ancient Mesopotamian civilization and the Persian Empire.

House cleaning is a big part of the preparations while minstrels, Haji Firuz, sing in the streets to announce the upcoming festivities. On the Wednesday before Nowruz, bonfires are lit to jump over and children gather coins and treats as they visit neighbors.

Families gather at Haft-seen or Haft-sinn, tables set with special traditional Nowruz foods and recipes and all begin with the sound of the letter "S" — Seeb - apple; Sabze - green grass or Sabzeh - wheat or lentil sprouts; Serke - vinager; Samanoo - a paste made out of wheat; Senjed - a berry native to the region; Sekke - a coin; and Seer - garlic.

You'll find other lists of the seven S sound items in the sites below. As often happens with such ancient traditions, a bit of variation has crept into the celebration in the centuries since it was first begun. Most haftseen tables also include a small fishbowl with goldfish and a mirror to represent elements of the earth and human consciousness.

The sixth day of the festivities is Zarathushtra's birthday and special celebrations are held to mark the occasion. The 13th day wraps up the new year as parks are traditionally filled with families spending the day out of doors. -- where girls can be seen tying grass in knots to wish for a good husband!

Nowruz is the beginning of the year for the people of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Tajikistan and a few of the Asian republics of the former Soviet Union. It is also celebrated as the new year by people descended from Persian and Iranian ancestors. The Kurds in Georgia, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey celebrate Nowruz as the new year festival. Many communities where people from these countries have settled also join in the celebrations.

Lord Now Ruz has come.
Friends, spread this message -
The New Year has come again!
This spring be your good luck,
The tulip fields be your joy.
Haji Firuz Song

May the New Year bring peace to all...

Nowruz recipes from around the Web:

Persian New Year Soup

Persian Tamarind Stuffed Fish

Zereshk Polo ba Morgh (Steamed rice with chicken & barberries)

 

More about Nowruz around the Web:

No-Rooz, The Iranian New Year at Present Times - Pictures of "Haft Seen" and "Sizdah-Bedar" and a good explanation of the rituals that surround the new year celebrations. The site offers many other articles on the arts and culture of Iran.

FarsiNet NoRuz, NoRooz, NowRuz - First Day of Spring, A New Season, A New Year - A complete resource including historical narrative, traditions and more from FarsiNet...

NOWRUZ The Zarathushtrian New Year - A precise timetable of Nowruz in your area, with a very good section of the Haft Seen and history behind the celebrations.

 

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Nowruz e-Cards and Greetings:

Free Nowruz Ecards - Nice collection of cards to send to sweethearts, friends and family.

Nowruz, Norooz, Nourooz, Norouz, New Year greeting cards - postcards - The title says it all... lots of cards to choose from.

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Nowruz Recipes:

My Persian Kitchen - Nowruz - Recipes for stews and rice dishes, holiday treats, and foods for special occasions with related videos.

Aunt Naheed's recipes for Nowruz - Complete ingredients and instructions for Sabzi polo va mahi (white fish with herbs and rice) and a baklava dessert.