Norouz 2008

A guide to Iranian New Year

Ali-Akbar Samadani

In harmony with the rebirth of nature, the Iranian New Year celebration, Norouz, occurs at the exact time of the spring equinox. In Persian language, “no” means “new,” and “rouz” means “day.” Hence, “Norouz” means “new day.”

Norouz has been celebrated by all the major cultures of ancient Mesopotamia. Sumerians (since 3000 BC), Babylonians (since 2000 BC), the ancient kingdom of Elamite in Southern Persia (since 2000 BC), and Akaddians all have celebrated Norouz in one form or another. The oldest records of Norouz, belonging to King Yima of what is now Eastern Iran and Afghanistan, go back far as 5000 BC.

Norouz ceremonies are symbolic representations of two ancient concepts — the End and the Rebirth; or Good (Ahoura) and Evil (Div).

“Chahar Shanbeh Souri” is one of the Norouz ceremonies and occurs on the eve of the last Wednesday of the year. The phrase translates literally to “the eve of Red Wednesday.” Bonfires are made, and people will jump over the fire singing: “Sorkhi-e to az man zardi-e man az to!” which means, “Give me your vibrant red hue and take back my sickly yellow pallor!”

“Qashoq Zani” (“Spoon Beating”): as part of the chahar shanbe souri festivities and very much like Halloween, children, sometimes accompanied by adults, visit their neighbour’s houses. Each member of the party carries an empty metal bowl and a metal spoon. At the neighbour’s door, they create a chorus with banging the spoons on the bowl. The neighbour opens the door and places a treat in each visitor’s bowl.

The traditional herald of the Norouz season is called “Haji Firouz.” Wearing black makeup and a red costume, Haji Firuoz sings and dances through the streets with tambourines and trumpets spreading good cheer and the news of the coming new year.

On the night before Norouz, a table is set with an arrangement of several items, each of which symbolizes a wish or theme in a ceremony called “Haft Seen.” Seven of these items start with the letter “Seen” (in English, S). The Persian translation for the number seven is “Haft,” hence, “Haft Seen” means “Seven Ss.”

The Haft Seen spread includes seven of the following items: “Sabzeh,” grown wheat or lentils, representing rebirth; “Samanu,” a sweet pudding made from wheat germ, symbolizing affluence; “Senjed,” dried fruit of the lotus tree, representing love; “Seer” means garlic and represents medicine; “Seeb,” apple, represents natural beauty and fragrance; “Somaq,” sumac berries, which represent the color of the sunrise; “Serkeh,” vinegar, representing patience; “Sekkeh,” coins, representing prosperity and wealth; candles, representing enlightenment and happiness; a mirror, representing the reflections of creation on the first day of spring; painted eggs, representing fertility; a bowl with goldfish, representing life and the end of the Zodiac sign Pisces; and an orange in a bowl of water, representing the earth floating in space.

It is customary for the family to gather round the Haft Seen spread a few hours before the new rear and recite verses from the Holy Book and also some old poems.

“Sizdah Be Dar”: On the 13th day of the new year, families leave their houses and head for the outdoors where they eat, play games and celebrate a happy and healthy holiday season. The name, Sizdah Bedar, in English translates to “getting rid of 13.”

It is also customary for young single members of the family to tie the leaves of the Sabzeh, prior to discarding it, symbolizing their wish to be married before the next year’s Sizdah Bedar.