“No-Rooz” - The Iranian New Year – Customs & Traditions

“No-Rooz” - The Iranian New Year – Customs & Traditions

For the past few years I have been fortunate enough to be invited to celebrate the Iranian New Year with some Iranians living in Norwich,     Norfolk. The following article was put together by an Iranian colleague:

“No-Rooz”, means 'New Day'. It is the new day that starts the year, traditionally the exact astronomical beginning of Spring. Iranians take that as the beginning of the New Year. This exact second is called "Saal Tahvil". No-Rooz with its' uniquely Iranian characteristics has been celebrated for at least 3,000 years and is deeply rooted in the rituals and traditions of the Zoroastrian This was the religion of ancient Persia before the advent of Islam in 7th century A.D. 

Iranians consider No-Rooz as their biggest celebration of the year. Before the new year they start cleaning their houses, Khaane Tekaani, and they buy new clothes. But a major part of New Year rituals is setting the "Haft Seen" with 7

Haft Seen table

specific items. In ancient times each of the items corresponded to one of the seven creations and the seven holy immortals protecting them. Today they have changed and modified but some have kept their symbolism. All the seven items start with the letter "S": Seeb (apple), Sabze (green grass), Serke (vinegar), Samanoo (a meal made out of wheat), Senjed (a special kind of berry), Sekke (coin), and Seer (garlic). Sometimes instead of Serke some use Somagh (sumak, an Iranian spice).

Wheat or lentil representing new growth is grown in a flat dish a few days before the New Year and is called Sabzeh (green shoots). Decorated with colourful ribbons, it is kept until Sizdah beh dar, the 13th day of the New Year. Also, a few live gold fish in a fish bowl. In the olden days they would be returned to the riverbanks, but today most people will keep them. Mirrors are placed on the Sofreh (table spread) and lit with candles as a symbol of fire. Most of the people used to place Qoran in order to bless the New Year. But some people found another alternative to Qoran and replaced it by the Divan-e Hafez (poetry book of Hefez), and during "Saal Tahvil" reading some verses from it was popular. Nowadays, a great number of Iranians are placing Shahnameh (the Epic of Kings) of Ferdowsi on their spread as an Iranian national book. They believe that Shahnameh has more Iranian identity values and spirits, and is much suitable for this ancient celebration. 

After the Saal Tahvil, people hug and kiss each other and wish each other a 'Happy New Year'. Then they exchange presents (traditionally cash, coins or gold coins), usually older ones give to the younger ones. The first few days are spent visiting older members of the family, relatives and friends. Children receive presents and sweets, special meals and "Aajil" (a combination of different nuts with raisins and other sweet stuff) or fruits are consumed. Traditionally on the night before the New Year, most Iranians will have Sabzi Polo Mahi, a special dish of rice cooked with fresh herbs and served with smoked and freshly fried fish. Koukou Sabzi, a mixture of fresh herbs with eggs fried or baked, is also served. The next day rice and noodles (Reshteh Polo) is served. Regional variations exist and very colourful feasts are prepared.

The 13th day of the new year is called "Sizdah Bedar" and spent mostly outdoors. People will leave their homes to go to the parks or local plains for a festive picnic. It is a must to spend Sizdah Bedar enjoying nature.

No-Rooz Greetings:

• “No-Rooz Mobarak” - Happy No-Rooz, Happy New Year

• “Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak” - Happy New Year to you

• “No-Rooz Pirooz” - Wishing you a Prosperous New Year

• “Sad Saal be in Saal-ha” - Wishing you 100 more Happy New Years.

May 2016 continue to be a good one for you.