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Persian New Year - March 20, 2014
Having its foundation in Zoroastrianism, Nowruz, Norooz, Norouz, Newroz, Nevruz or Persian New Year is a thirteen day celebration held annually by Iranians around the globe, marking the first day of spring (the Vernal Equinox) and the beginning of the New Year. "O Majesty, on this feast of the Equinox, first day of the first month of the year, seeing that thou hast freely chosen God and the Faith of the Ancient ones; may Surush the Angel-messenger, grant thee wisdom and insight and sagacity in thy affairs. Live long in praise, be happy and fortunate upon thy golden throne, drink immortality from the Cup of Jamshid; and keep in solemn trust the customs of our ancestors, their noble aspirations, fair gestures and the exercise of justice and righteousness." ---Omar Khayyam, Nowruznama The Haft Sin, or the Seven S's. is an important Persian New Year tradition. Families create a ceremonial table bearing specific items that symbolically represent spiritual values. • Sabzeh: Rebirth - A dish of sprouted wheat, barley or lentils • Serkeh: Patience Gained with Age - Vinegar • Samanu - Affluence - A sweet, wheat germ porridge or pudding • Somaq - Sunrise - Sumac berries • Senjed - Love - Fruit of the lotus tree, dried • Sib - Beauty and Health - Apples • Sir - Health - Garlic • Other elements may include a mirror (ayne), two candelabras (sha'am), gold coins (sekeh), sweets (shirini), hyacinth (sonbol), flatbread (sangak), goldfish (mahi), an incense made of wild rue (esfand), decorated eggs (tokhme morgh), nuts (ajil), an heirloom embroidered cloth, and Scriptures. Persian New Year traditions include spring cleaning the house, paying off debts, wearing new clothes, buying flowers like tulips and hyacinths, visiting family, friends and neighbors and/or throwing large parties, and enjoying outdoor picnics on the thirteen day. Customary dishes are also served during this time, although they vary according to region. Chaharshanbe Suri, the Festival of Fire, is held on the night before the last Wednesday of the year as a celebration of the triumph of light (good) over darkness (evil). Celebrants go into the street and jump over fires, and eat traditional pastries and nuts to give thanks for the previous year's happiness and health. Other traditions may also be observed, including a symbolic cleansing of misfortune by breaking earthenware jars, or attempting to divine one's future by hiding and listening to the conversations of passers-by (if the conversations are positive, it means good fortune). Hajji Firuz, a figure heralding Persian New Year by singing, dancing and playing tambourine and trumpet, has a black painted face and wears red clothing. His presence is said to make families happy, thus ensuring blessings and abundance in the coming year. He is the sidekick of Amoo Norooz, a Santa Claus-like figure who gives gifts to children. Themes of Persian New Year include fire, goldfish, a pot of sprouted wheat, a Haft Sin table or groups of Haft Sin elements, tulips and hyacinths, Hajji Firuz, beautifully decorated eggs, and the colors red, green and white. Greeting Card Universe offers one-of-a-kind Nowruz cards in beautiful traditional and contemporary designs. Staying in touch with your family and friends is central to the celebration of Persian New Year. Wish your loved ones a prosperous and blessed New Year with a greeting card, and send them your love no matter where they are. When is Persian New Year? 2012 - Wednesday, March 20 2013 - Wednesday, March 20 2014 - Thursday, March 20 2015 - Friday, March 20 2016 - Sunday, March 20 2017 - Monday, March 20 2018 - Tuesday, March 20 2019 - Wednesday, March 20 2020 - Friday, March 20 2021 - Saturday, March 20 "May sadness go and happiness come, May suffering go and blessing come, Ay, night before Wednesday, Ay, Key with four teeth, Grant me my desires! My yellow to you, Your red to me." - Traditional Chaharshanbe Suri song
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