Nowruz

What is Nowruz

As the slight humidity of March in the Northern Hemisphere settles in, the festive time for many Iranians and non-Iranians gets closer. Whether that be in the form of spring cleaning or setting a cozy dinner for extended families, Nowruz helps unite families in a variety of ways. But Nowruz isn’t just about cleaning an old rug or loudly banging on a pot to obtain sweets from neighbors; Nowruz holds a significant place in Iranian culture as it represents the nexus into spring and a time to reflect on the year past.

One of the ways Iranians and non-Iranians who celebrate Nowruz represent this crossing of the rubicon is through “sabzeh.” Sabzeh is a sprout that will grow during the celebration period of thirteen days. Throughout the celebration period, the sabzeh turns into a bright, lush green form that epitomizes the beauty of growth. At the end, the sabzeh is floated away, similar to Chinese New Year lanterns being let go into the sky, on running water to illustrate the goodbye to the old and welcoming of the New Year.

Nowruz also emphasizes the transition from the past to the present and the future. One of the ways is through leaping over bonfires on the “Eve of Red Wednesday”, which symbolizes relinquishing the old “pale skin” and obtaining a lovely red color tone as embracing the present refreshed. In addition, in a more mechanical direction, many celebrants will do a spring cleaning of their homes to show a clean start for the New Year. On a more holistic level, Nowruz encourages cleaning away the figurative filth to have a more healthy body and mind.

The Persian New Year allows celebrants to reflect on the past, whether it brings joyous nostalgia or painful memories, and to detach from it. In other words, Nowruz is about moving on from the past and starting a new phase without the burden of the past or any apprehension about the future.

https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/3/19/17138516/persian-new-year-nowruz-explained