MaralYazarloo
Nowruz Mobarak.3
Nowruz Mobarak
1395/2016
Happy Persian New Year!
The United Nations International Day of Nowruz celebrates the start of the Persian New year and the spring festival on March 21st every year.
About 300 million people worldwide celebrate Nowruz, with traditions and rituals. Events may include visiting relatives, folk dance performances, special concerts and tree planting ceremonies.
In Iran, the old year goes out with a bang. Children run through the streets. They clang on pots and pans. Knocking on the neighbor’s doors, they ask for sweets. This tradition is called “Qashogh-zany” or “spoon beating.” Some children wrap themselves in shrouds (long cloths used in burials.) By dressing in these, children imitate the visits of their ancestors’ spirits. It is said that the spirits come in the last days of the year.
As the spring equinox approaches, fires bid good-bye to the old year in a tradition known as “Chaher
Shanbeh Suri”. Families gather around small fires in the streets and alleys. They jump over the flames singing traditional songs and celebrating the triumph of light over darkness.
On the first day of Norouz, Iranian families gather around the Haft Sin, or “Seven S’s” table. Families take pride in the beautiful arrangement of seven items that start with the sound of S in Persian. They symbolize the hopes for a successful and happy new year.
Many families also include a copy of the Quran, the holy book of Islam, a bowl of orange goldfish brings good luck so even it may be added. The tables are decorated with lighted candles and artistically painted eggs that symbolize new life.
These are the traditional items on the Haft Sin table. Each one has a special meaning !
Somaq: Sumac berries (a new dawn)
Sib: Apples (beauty and health)
Senjed: Dried fruit of the ole-aster tree (love)
Sir: Garlic (protection from illness and evil)
Serkeh: Vinegar (longevity and patience)
Sonbol: Hyacinth flower (blossoming spring)
Sekkeh: Coins (prosperity)
Sabzeh: Green wheat sprouts (abundance)
Samanu: Sweet pudding (sweetness of life)
And Here’s a list of the 7 things to do for the Persian new year!!
1. Make a Haft Seen table
The haft seen table is an altar designed for the New Year. It’s placed in a prominent location in the home, and consists of seven items that begin with the letter ‘seen’ in the Persian language (this is where the name ‘haft seen’ or ‘seven seens’ comes from). These items are all associated with rebirth, fertility, health and vitality. In addition to the haft seens, the table has a mirror to symbolize eternity, goldfish to symbolize life, coins to symbolize wealth, and several other symbolic items.
2. Clean your house and every single thing you own
Iranians take spring cleaning to an extreme level with the concept of khooné takoonee, literally, shaking of the house. Before the moment of the new year, every thing in the house is completely cleaned and renewed. Old items are discarded and replaced with fresh ones. Those long neglected baseboards and blinds are swept and cleaned. This extends to cars and other possessions as well. Basically, it’s time to take the demons out of the closet and let them see the sunlight!
3. Wear completely brand new clothing (including underwear!)
Nowruz is the time to begin fresh and clean, and this includes buying all new clothing to symbolize this fresh start. At the moment of the new year (this year at 12:57pm EST), everything worn must be brand new.
4. Celebrate at 12:30:12 AM Eastern time on Sunday morning
At 12:30:12 AM Eastern time on Sunday morning, gather around the haft seen table with close friends and family and feel the earth pass through the equinox, letting out a collective sigh knowing that the long winter is finally over and flowers will begin to bloom.
5. Call everyone you know to wish them a happy new year
It’s extremely important to get in touch with everyone you know after nowruz to wish them a happy new year. You can use the phrase nowruz mobarak to say happy new year, nowruz pirouz, meaning may it be a victorious new year, or aidé shoma mobarak, also meaning happy new year. Meeting elders of immediate family, after nowruz is a respect worthy tradition following which elders give eydi to the youngsters in the form of money as a token of their love and blessing. Its an exchange of familial values, fresh beginnings and hopes for a great , successful and joyful year ahead! It’s time to let all your friends and family know that you are thinking of them.
6. Visit everyone & they will return your visit by visiting you back!
Deed o baz deed is an extremely important new year concept translated as ‘to see and see again’. According to tradition, during the 13 days after the new year (and yes, Iranians have 13 full days off of work for the holiday), you need to visit all of your friends and family, and they in turn need to come and visit you. You begin by going to the elder family member’s houses, and work your way through all other family, friends, and acquaintances. Often, elder family members will have days when they ‘sit’- meaning they will be home all day and their doors will be open to visitors. Homes must be well equipped with sheereenee – (pastries and sweets) dry fruits, fresh fruits and chai (tea) for all the guests.
7. Have a joyous and prosperous year!
Yes, Iran is on a different calendar than the West, The year is based on the Zoroastrian calendar, while the months are defined by the astronomical vernal equinox, meaning the first day of the year is also the first day of spring, and the months correspond with the seasons.
Spring
>Farvardin
>Ordibeheshe
>Khordad
Summer
>Tir
>Mordad
>Shahrir
Autumn
>Mehr
>Aban
>Azar
Winter
>Dey
>Bahman
>Esfand
Over the twelve days of Norouz, families visit friends, families, and neighbors. Some people hold large parties. Everyone shares pastries, cookies, nuts, fruit and tea. Gestures of affection and thoughtfulness will ensure a full and happy year. Bickering and selfishness during Norouz will bring unhappiness. On the thirteenth day, families end Norouz with a drive to the countryside. They welcome the beauty of spring with a picnic.
Nowruz Mobarak.3
Nowruz Mobarak
1395/2016
Happy Persian New Year!
The United Nations International Day of Nowruz celebrates the start of the Persian New year and the spring festival on March 21st every year.
About 300 million people worldwide celebrate Nowruz, with traditions and rituals. Events may include visiting relatives, folk dance performances, special concerts and tree planting ceremonies.
In Iran, the old year goes out with a bang. Children run through the streets. They clang on pots and pans. Knocking on the neighbor’s doors, they ask for sweets. This tradition is called “Qashogh-zany” or “spoon beating.” Some children wrap themselves in shrouds (long cloths used in burials.) By dressing in these, children imitate the visits of their ancestors’ spirits. It is said that the spirits come in the last days of the year.
As the spring equinox approaches, fires bid good-bye to the old year in a tradition known as “Chaher
Shanbeh Suri”. Families gather around small fires in the streets and alleys. They jump over the flames singing traditional songs and celebrating the triumph of light over darkness.
On the first day of Norouz, Iranian families gather around the Haft Sin, or “Seven S’s” table. Families take pride in the beautiful arrangement of seven items that start with the sound of S in Persian. They symbolize the hopes for a successful and happy new year.
Many families also include a copy of the Quran, the holy book of Islam, a bowl of orange goldfish brings good luck so even it may be added. The tables are decorated with lighted candles and artistically painted eggs that symbolize new life.
These are the traditional items on the Haft Sin table. Each one has a special meaning !
Somaq: Sumac berries (a new dawn)
Sib: Apples (beauty and health)
Senjed: Dried fruit of the ole-aster tree (love)
Sir: Garlic (protection from illness and evil)
Serkeh: Vinegar (longevity and patience)
Sonbol: Hyacinth flower (blossoming spring)
Sekkeh: Coins (prosperity)
Sabzeh: Green wheat sprouts (abundance)
Samanu: Sweet pudding (sweetness of life)
And Here’s a list of the 7 things to do for the Persian new year!!
1. Make a Haft Seen table
The haft seen table is an altar designed for the New Year. It’s placed in a prominent location in the home, and consists of seven items that begin with the letter ‘seen’ in the Persian language (this is where the name ‘haft seen’ or ‘seven seens’ comes from). These items are all associated with rebirth, fertility, health and vitality. In addition to the haft seens, the table has a mirror to symbolize eternity, goldfish to symbolize life, coins to symbolize wealth, and several other symbolic items.
2. Clean your house and every single thing you own
Iranians take spring cleaning to an extreme level with the concept of khooné takoonee, literally, shaking of the house. Before the moment of the new year, every thing in the house is completely cleaned and renewed. Old items are discarded and replaced with fresh ones. Those long neglected baseboards and blinds are swept and cleaned. This extends to cars and other possessions as well. Basically, it’s time to take the demons out of the closet and let them see the sunlight!
3. Wear completely brand new clothing (including underwear!)
Nowruz is the time to begin fresh and clean, and this includes buying all new clothing to symbolize this fresh start. At the moment of the new year (this year at 12:57pm EST), everything worn must be brand new.
4. Celebrate at 12:30:12 AM Eastern time on Sunday morning
At 12:30:12 AM Eastern time on Sunday morning, gather around the haft seen table with close friends and family and feel the earth pass through the equinox, letting out a collective sigh knowing that the long winter is finally over and flowers will begin to bloom.
5. Call everyone you know to wish them a happy new year
It’s extremely important to get in touch with everyone you know after nowruz to wish them a happy new year. You can use the phrase nowruz mobarak to say happy new year, nowruz pirouz, meaning may it be a victorious new year, or aidé shoma mobarak, also meaning happy new year. Meeting elders of immediate family, after nowruz is a respect worthy tradition following which elders give eydi to the youngsters in the form of money as a token of their love and blessing. Its an exchange of familial values, fresh beginnings and hopes for a great , successful and joyful year ahead! It’s time to let all your friends and family know that you are thinking of them.
6. Visit everyone & they will return your visit by visiting you back!
Deed o baz deed is an extremely important new year concept translated as ‘to see and see again’. According to tradition, during the 13 days after the new year (and yes, Iranians have 13 full days off of work for the holiday), you need to visit all of your friends and family, and they in turn need to come and visit you. You begin by going to the elder family member’s houses, and work your way through all other family, friends, and acquaintances. Often, elder family members will have days when they ‘sit’- meaning they will be home all day and their doors will be open to visitors. Homes must be well equipped with sheereenee – (pastries and sweets) dry fruits, fresh fruits and chai (tea) for all the guests.
7. Have a joyous and prosperous year!
Yes, Iran is on a different calendar than the West, The year is based on the Zoroastrian calendar, while the months are defined by the astronomical vernal equinox, meaning the first day of the year is also the first day of spring, and the months correspond with the seasons.
Spring
>Farvardin
>Ordibeheshe
>Khordad
Summer
>Tir
>Mordad
>Shahrir
Autumn
>Mehr
>Aban
>Azar
Winter
>Dey
>Bahman
>Esfand
Over the twelve days of Norouz, families visit friends, families, and neighbors. Some people hold large parties. Everyone shares pastries, cookies, nuts, fruit and tea. Gestures of affection and thoughtfulness will ensure a full and happy year. Bickering and selfishness during Norouz will bring unhappiness. On the thirteenth day, families end Norouz with a drive to the countryside. They welcome the beauty of spring with a picnic.