Norouz — The ancient festival of renewal
The immortal victory of Spring over Darkness is more important now than ever
The first day of spring, Norouz has been celebrated in one form or another for seven millenia, though became a formal celebration in Persia at around the sixth century BC. Although the spelling differs depending on where the festival is celebrated (Norooz, Nawruz, Nowruz and many more), the Iranian and Central Asian New Year remains prominent as a celebration of hope and rebirth.
The Meaning of Norouz
Norouz means “New Day” and coincides with the arrival of Spring. It is celebrated on the same day as the ancient pagan festival Ostara, and the roots of Norouz lie in ancient Iranian religions such as Zoroastrianism and Mitraism. It marks the beginning of Farvardin, the first month of the Solar Hijri calendar (the Iranian calendar used officially in Iran and Afghanistan).
The festival is likely to have been arisen in the Achaemenid era (The sixth century BC), and it is a testament to its cultural importance that it has endured such longevity over three millenia. It is a public holiday in thirteen countries, and is also celebrated worldwide by the diaspora from those countries, together with Kurds, Parsis and followers of the Baha’i faith.
In Iran, the celebration is largely frowned upon by the ruling clerics. As it predates Islam by over a millennium, Norouz is seen by many in the theocratic regime as a pagan ritual.
Family, Friendship, Love
Norouz is traditionally a time for family and friendship. In most homes, the beginning of the festival comprises an intense period of spring-cleaning and preparation for feasts and exchange of gifts. People are expected to pay house visits to each other and check on each others’ health, meaning that an endless supply of pastry, cookies, nuts and fruits are required.
The spirit of reconciliation also means that this is a time to heal wounds new and old, and the practice of holding grudges during this period is considered a bad omen. The Half-Seen table spread is a central component of Norouz, with items chosen which each symbolise a particular theme.
The Haft-Seen table
The core tenets of the haft-seen are literally seven (haft) S’s (words which begin with S) and are: Sabzeh, a lentil sprouts growing in a dish, representing rebirth. Samanu, a sweet wheatgerm-derived pudding representing wealth and abudance. Senjed, a dried Persian olive which represents love. Seer, garlic which represents good health. Seeb, an apple which represents virality. Sumac, which represents sunrise or the victory of light over dark and Serkeh, vinegar, which represents patients and wisdom.
Alongside these core components, other common items include a mirror with two candles, the poetry book of Hafez or the Shanmaheh, a holy book such as the Quran, Avesta, Bible or Torah, painted eggs, a bowl of water with a goldfish, a hyacinth and various other sweets. In addition, it is not uncommon for each home to introduce their own take, with items that are important for them.
The Pleasure of Poetry
In Iran, poetry remains an important and relevant part of cultural life and is a ubiquitous part of the Norouz festival. Poets such as Rumi, Omar Khayyam, Sa’adi, Ferdosi and many more are celebrated during the festival.
The patron poet of Norouz is the 14th century mystic “safe-keeper” Hafez, who was described by Ralph Waldo Emerson as “a poet for poets”. Hafez often used wine as a metaphor for love, and during Norouz a book of his poems often has a prominent place on the Haft-seen (the tabletop arrangement of symbolic items). Indeed his words in verse have never seemed more apt. The messages of love and rebirth are ever more important in these current uncertain times. The poet Hafez epitomizes these themes, whether discussing love and devotion:
“The sun never says to the earth ‘you owe me’. Look what happens with a love like that… it lights up the whole sky” Hafez of Shiraz
Or a message of hope:
“I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being” Hafez of Shiraz
His message of renewal will underline the value of Norouz, and provide a vestige of primordial harmony which seems increasingly besieged in today’s world. A message which is even more desperate in current times…
After Norouz
The celebrations last thirteen days, and on the last day an extra celebration known as Sizdah Bedar (literally thirteenth outdoors) happens whereby families and friends spend all day outdoors in nature, and childrens’ play, music and dancing takes place. Traditionally, the leaves of the greenery are tied with a whisper by young singletons expressing a wish to find a partner, and then they are discarded.
Regardless of the ceremonies in Norouz, its themes are universal. In a world where anger and fear seems to be increasingly prospering over love and hope, let us find some optimism in this transcendental celebration of new possibilities and new life which has not only survived, but prospered, through the centuries.
The Four Ancient Festivals of the Seasons
To read about the other festivals, click these links:
Yalda — The festival of Winter, and victory of Light over Dark.
Mehregan — The festival of Autumn: nature, love, and friendship
Tirgan — The summer festival of rain
