NoRooz Persian New Year
NoRooz is the celebration of the Persian New Year, which is the first day of spring and culminates after 13 days of festivities. The word NoRooz means New (No) Day (Rooz). According to the ancient Persian solar calendar, which originated thousands of years ago, the actual date is March 21. The date is calculated by the exact moment when the sun passes the zodiac sign of the Ram. To Persians, it is majestic that the glory of Easter is combined with the magnificence of NoRooz. Perhaps it is not happenstance that NoRooz, the rebirth of nature, coincides with the rebirth of Christ.
Ten to fifteen days before the New Year preparations begin, families clean their homes from top to bottom and everyone gets new clothing to wear. Grains of wheat, barley, or lentil are sprouted and spread on a flat plate. As the sprouts grow, a ribbon is tied around them to make them stand up. By the time NoRooz arrives, the sprouts are several inches high and the leaves turn up toward the light. This is called Sabzeh.
NoRooz is the celebration of the Persian New Year, which is the first day of spring and culminates after 13 days of festivities. The word NoRooz means New (No) Day (Rooz). According to the ancient Persian solar calendar, which originated thousands of years ago, the actual date is March 21. The date is calculated by the exact moment when the sun passes the zodiac sign of the Ram. To Persians, it is majestic that the glory of Easter is combined with the magnificence of NoRooz. Perhaps it is not happenstance that NoRooz, the rebirth of nature, coincides with the rebirth of Christ.
Ten to fifteen days before the New Year preparations begin, families clean their homes from top to bottom and everyone gets new clothing to wear. Grains of wheat, barley, or lentil are sprouted and spread on a flat plate. As the sprouts grow, a ribbon is tied around them to make them stand up. By the time NoRooz arrives, the sprouts are several inches high and the leaves turn up toward the light. This is called Sabzeh.
The last Tuesday night before NoRooz is known as Char-Shambeh Soori, which means Wednesday Festival. On this day, families make a small fire outside and all family members, young and old, take turns jumping over the flames. One recites a good luck wish while jumping in hopes of leaving ill health or bad luck on the other side of the flames. The wish states, I give my pale color to you; you give your reddish color to me. The wish compares the brightness of the flames to healthy, rosy skin tone. Then, very similar to Halloween, kids put on costumes and visit neighbors to get candies and fruit.
A few days before NoRooz, the Haft-Sin is prepared and displayed on a table in the home. Haft-Sin is translated as Seven Ss, which is a collection of seven things beginning with the letter S in the Persian language (Farsi). These items are Sonbo (Hyacinth), Sabzeh (the green sprouts grown for NoRooz), Samanoo (a sweet wheat pudding), Serkeh (vinegar), Senjed (a fruit native to Iran), Sumagh (a spice), Sekeh (gold coins), and Seer (garlic). Candles, one for each member of the family, are placed with the Haft-Sin in front of a mirror. The reflecting light symbolizes the hope for a bright future.
At the exact moment when the old year ends and the New Year begins, family members gather around the table where the Haft-Sin is displayed. The ceremony, which consists of older family members reciting poems and telling stories, lasts for a few hours.
Family members and friends are visited from the first day of NoRooz, starting with a visit to the oldest family members and continuing to the youngest. Kids and adults receive gifts (usually cash) from their elders, much like Christmas.
Family members and friends are visited from the first day of NoRooz, starting with a visit to the oldest family members and continuing to the youngest. Kids and adults receive gifts (usually cash) from their elders, much like Christmas.
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Norouz Party 02 (3/12/2011)by choopan1216 views
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