Norooz, Persian New Year
Year of 2565 (1385)



In harmony with rebirth of nature, the Persian New Year Celebration, or
Norooz, always begins on the first day of spring, March 20th of each
year. Norooz ceremonies are symbolic representations of two ancient
concepts - the End and Rebirth. About 3000 years ago Persian's major
religion was Zoroastrianism, named in honor of its founder Zoroaster,
and arguably the world's first monotheistic religion. Zoroastrians had
a festival called "Farvardgan" which lasted ten days, and took place at
the end of the solar year. It appears that this was a festival of
sorrow and mourning , signifying the end of life while the festival of
Norooz, at the beginning of spring signified rebirth, and was a time of
great joy and celebration. Norooz was officially acknowledged and named
"Norooz" by mythical Persian emperor, Shah Jamshid, from Achaemenid
Dynasty (500 BC). Ashaemenied created the first major empire in the
region and built Persepolis complex (Takhte Jamshid) in the city of
Shiraz. Norooz in Persian means "New Day" and brings hope, peace and
prosperity to the world and has been celebrated among people regardless
of ethnic background, political views or religion in many countries
around the globe such as Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey,
Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Georgia, Iraq, Tajikistan, Syria ,Armenia and
India. Some of the activities during Norooz are Spring cleaning, buying
new cloths, painting eggs, family reunion, giving presents, visiting
neighbors and friends and celebrating by having a picnic on the 13th
day of Spring. Happy Norooz!