Norouz

The Persian New Year, also known as “Norouz” is the first day of spring and the beginning of the Iranian year. “Norouz”, means new day. Norouz is celebrated by some communities on March 21st and by others on the first day of the start of spring which may occur on March 20th, 21st, or 22nd. The Persian New Year has been celebrated for at least three thousand years and is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Zoroastrian religion. In Iran, preparations for the New Year’s celebration begin in the last month of winter. The Iranians prepare with spring cleaning in their houses, purchase new clothes to wear for the upcoming year and buy flowers; the most popular flowers being the hyacinth and the tulip. On the actual day of New Years, the families wear their new clothes and start a twelve day celebration (the twelve days before Sizdah Bedar) in which they visit their family and friends. On the thirteenth day, which is Sizdah Bedar the families and friends all get together and picnic. A lot of people throw large parties for Norouz. These parties are a gathering of close family and friends in which the host supplies a lot of food, fruits, and pastries. Some traditional Persian New Years dinners that are served are Sabzi Polo Mahi, which is rice with green herbs that is served with fish, Reshteh Polo, which is rice cooked with noodles, and Dolme Barg, which is vegetables mixed with meat that have been cooked and rapped in a vine leaf. During this party there is dancing and lots of socializing. Children are given gifts from Hajji Firuz and families usually give the younger generation money. The money that is given is usually given in brand new one dollar bills.The Persian New Year is a big historical celebration that has many traditions including, Hajji Firuz, Sizdah Bedar, and the Haft-seen.
Hajji Firuz is the prophet of the “Norouz” season. He symbolizes the rebirth of the Sumerian god of sacrifice, Domuzi. Domuzi was killed at the end of each year and reborn at the