Norooz : Celebration of Nature
Norooz (new day) is the largest and most widely celebrated National Iranian holiday in Iran. Norooz starts on the first month of a solar year (tropical year), when the day and night are equal in length, and the sun enters the Ram (Aries) constellation (day of vernal equinox). In order to understand this, some information on Iranian calendar is needed. The Iranian calendar is solar based, unlike the Islamic calendar, which is lunar. It begins at the spring equinox, on 20th or 21st of March when day and night are equal in length. The Iranian year lasts 365.25 days. The official Iranian, Afghani, and Tajik calendars come from Zoroastrian origins.
Celebration of Norooz and its traditions has been dated back to a few thousand years ago (to 555 BC by some sources); however, what is known for certain is that the many political, religious and societal changes throughout these many years, has little or no effect on this ancient Iranian (and Persian) tradition, as the foundation of the celebrations and the philosophies behind it are still intact. Every year millions of people around the world celebrate Norooz, along with the rebirth of nature, and show gratitude to the creator of everything they have.
In ancient times Norooz celebrations started right after Farvardingan (Farvardin is the first month in Iranian calendar). Farvardin has its roots in the word Faravahar and ancient Zoroastrian, Persian term that means “to choose”, and refers to the choice of leading moral life. To ancient Iranians (and Zoroastrians) Faravahar represents the immortal part of the human souls that is the guardian spirit of a human being, assigned by God (and will return to god after death). Farvardingan is a feast of souls that lasts for 10 days (the last 10 days of the year, before New Year), during which time, consecrated food was set to feed the returning souls. This period is also a period of reflection, an opportunity to examine one’s conscience and repent for past wrongs. In some old texts, Zoroaster (The Zoroastrian prophet) has been quoted to say that in the first 5 days of Farvardingan, the souls return for a visit and in the final 5 days, or 5 days of Panje (important days in ancient Zoroastrian rituals), they return to the place of the deads (either heaven or not). Most of the traditional celebrations done today in welcoming Norooz; such as Chaharshanbe Soori (Chaharshanbe: Wednesday, Soori: celebration; celebrations on the midnight of the last Tuesday leading to the last Wednesday of the year), and Khane Tekani (traditional house cleaning before Norooz) are related to these old traditions and beliefs.
Fire (and light) is one of the most important elements in the ancient Persian (and Zoroastrian) mythology; it is a symbol of purity, sanitation, and also beauty. In ancient Iran, fire could be found everywhere in every place of worship, and people would perform their prayers of God facing this important element and a creation God. Fire, as an essential tool, was also used during the ruling of the Achaemenid Dynasty (550-330 BC) in making of one of the oldest wireless telegraph systems known to mankind; which utilized fire on top of high towers to created symbols using certain movements. There are also myths and beliefs about the discovery of fire, even in Shahnameh (ancient epic Persian writings by Ferdowsi), that relates it to an ancient king in Iran, names Hooshang. According to writings, when Hooshang was out on a royal hunting mission, he threw a stone towards a snake to kill it, but instead, the stone hit another stone and created a spark and hence the discovery of fire. As such, one of the oldest traditions related to Norooz (and part of the many celebrations done before Norooz) is Chaharshanbe; during which people light bone fires by their homes (and in streets today), when the darkness of the night starts to take over. This is done during the last 5 days of the year, after the 360th day, or days of Panje; which, as previously mentioned, is the time that the souls (Faravahars) of the departed come back to earth for (or start leaving during these five days), and brought with them blessings. Hence, fires were lit to guide the souls to the places they should go. Today, the fires are made everywhere in street corners and this traditional celebration is performed on the night of the last Tuesday of the year; where people jump over small bonfires shouting: Give me your beautiful red color (to the fire) and take back my sickly pallor; meaning that the fire should take away all impurities, illnesses, and every evil, and retain health and rejuvenation.
Almost certainly, the single most traditional part of Norooz is setting the haft seen (7 “s”; s is the 14th letter in Farsi alphabet), which indicates setting a table with 7 items starting with s that symbolize different things, but all related to nature and life. Some believe that before haft seen, it was haft sheen (7 “sh”, sh is the 15th letter in Farsi alphabet), with things such as wine, pastry, candles, and sweets, all of which start with sh in Farsi. Further, going even back, according to some sources, haft chin (chin meaning picking, haft, the number 7, 7 things picked) was the earliest notion of haft seen. Whereby, people picked 7 things from grains, fruits, and everything from nature, collected it all, and set it on a display along with other items such as candles (representing fire and light), and mirrors (representing reflection of oneself into life). Today, the seven items include Sabzeh, green growing sprouts, representing rebirth of nature; Samanu, a sweet mixture made with wheat, representing prosperity, Sib (apples) representing beauty and health, Serkeh (Vinegar) representing age and patience, Somaq (sumac berries) symbolizing the colour of sunrise (start of everything), Sir (/seer/, garlic) representing medicine, Senjed (berry of oleaster/lotus tree) symbolizing love and the beginning of cycle of life. The number 7 (as in the number of items), may be the symbol of many things as no one can say for sure and there are many different beliefs. However, the oldest of these beliefs is the number 7 standing for 7 Amshaspandan; higher beings including God that are the guardians of mankind and provide guidance.
Whatever the beliefs, one thing is certain, that the tradition of Norooz has remained intact, even if varied in some parts, and is celebrated widely every year to welcome the rebirth of nature, to show gratitude for everything we have in our life, and to wish everyone a prosperous year, and life.
