No-Rooz, The Iranian New Year
No-Rooz, in word, means "New Day". It
is the new day that starts the year, traditionally the exact
astronomical beginning of the Spring. Iranians take that as the
beginning of the year. This exact second is called "Saal Tahvil".
No-Rooz with its' uniquely Iranian characteristics has been celebrated
for at least 3,000 years.
No-Rooz, in word, means "New Day". It
is the new day that starts the year, traditionally the exact
astronomical beginning of the Spring. Iranians take that as the
beginning of the year. This exact second is called "Saal Tahvil".
No-Rooz with its' uniquely Iranian characteristics has been celebrated
for at least 3,000 years .
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 seven 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 are changed and modified but
some have kept their symbolism. All the seven items start with the
letter "S"; this was not the order in ancient times. These seven things
usually are: Seeb (apple), Sabze (green grass), Serke (vinager), Samanoo
(a meal made out of wheat), Senjed (a special kind of berry), Sekke
(coin), and Seer (garlic). Sometimes instead of Serke they put Somagh
(sumak, an Iranian spice). Zoroastrians today do not have the seven "S"s
but they have the ritual of growing seven seeds as a reminder that this
is the seventh feast of creation, while their sprouting into new growth
symbolized resurrection and eternal life to come.
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 colorful ribbons, it is kept until Sizdah beh dar, the 13th day of
the New Year, and then disposed outdoors. A few live gold fish (the most
easily obtainable animal) are placed in a fish bowl. In the old days
they would be returned to the riverbanks, but today most people will
keep them. Mirrors are placed on the spread with lit candles as a symbol
of fire. Most of the people used to place Qoran on their Sofreh
(spread) in order to bless the New Year.
After the Saal Tahvil, people hug and kiss each other and wish each
other a happy new year. Then they give presents to each other
(traditionally cash, coins or gold coins), usually older ones 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 colorful 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 in
nature. This is called Sizdah Bedar and is the most popular day of the
holidays among children because they get to play a lot! Also in this
day, people throw the Sabze away, they believe Sabze should not stay in
the house after "Sizdah Bedar". Iranians regard 13th day as a bad omen
and believe that by going into the fields and parks they avoid
misfortunes. It is also believed that unwed girls can wish for a husband
by going into the fields and tying a knot between green shoots,
symbolizing a marital bond.
Another tradition of the new year celebrations is "Chahar-Shanbeh Soori".
It takes place before Saal Tahvil, at the last Wednesday of the old
year, well actually Tuesday night! People set up bon fire, young and old
leap over the fires with songs and gestures of merriment like:
(Sorkhi-e to az man) Give me your beautiful red color
(Zardi-e man az to) And take back my sickly pallor!
It means: I will give you my yellow color (sign of sickness), and you
give me your fiery red color (sign of healthiness). This is a
purification rite and 'suri' itself means red and fiery.
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).
After all No-Rooz is a fun time for all of the Iranians, old and young.