Celebrated by more than 300 million people worldwide, Nowruz is a 3,000-year-old tradition cherished in Iran, Afghanistan, throughout Central Asia and beyond. But what makes it special?
ADVERTISEMENTNowruz marks the arrival of spring in Iran but also the beginning of the new year. The same is true in Afghanistan, where the festival serves as the official start of the solar calendar.
The precise moment of the new year, known as “year delivery,” is determined by astronomical calculations. It occurs on the spring equinox, when day and night are nearly equal in the Northern Hemisphere. Each year, this timing is calculated down to the very second.
If the new year occurs before noon, that same day is considered the first day of the Iranian solar calendar. If it falls after noon, the new year begins the following day.
For example, in 2025, the new year in Iran will occur at 12:31:30 PM local time (10:01:30 AM CET). Consequently, March 21, 2025, will be the first day of the 1404 solar year in the Iranian calendar.
This system of precise astronomical calculations was developed by Omar Khayyam, the renowned Iranian astronomer, poet, and philosopher. He also played a key role in creating the Jalali calendar, which remains the basis of Iran’s current solar calendar. The starting point of this calendar is the Hijra – the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.
The Origins of Nowruz
Nowruz dates back over 3,000 years and has its roots in the ancient Persian Empire and the Zoroastrian calendar.
For Zoroastrians, Nowruz marks the creation of the world (Tree) and humankind. During the Achaemenid era, the festival was celebrated with great splendor at Persepolis, where kings welcomed envoys and received gifts from across their vast empire. In fact, historical evidence suggests that one of Persepolis’ primary functions was to host Nowruz celebrations.
The Zoroastrian religion, which predates the Achaemenid dynasty, played a significant role in shaping the traditions of Nowruz. However, over the centuries, the festival has evolved into a secular celebration, embraced by diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
Its endurance lies in its powerful symbolism – the triumph of light over darkness and the promise of new beginnings, both in nature and in the human spirit.
Who celebrates Nowruz?
Today, more 300 million people worldwide celebrate Nowruz, marking not only the start of the new year but also the celebration of life and the triumph of light over darkness.
Originally bringing together the peoples of Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia (including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan), Nowruz has spread across the Caucasus, the Balkans, and other regions. It embodies a shared heritage of customs, traditions, and values, and holds particular significance for Kurds.
In 2009, Nowruz was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Listand the following year, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution declaring March 21 as International Nowruz Day, recognising its role in promoting peace and unity worldwide.
How is Nowruz Celebrated?
Nowruz encompasses a rich variety of traditions that vary by region. Some customs take place just before the New Year, while others continue for up to two weeks after. Throughout all these celebrations, the themes of renewal and hope remain central.
Spring Clean and Renewal
On the eve of Nowruz, as spring approaches, families thoroughly clean their homes. This ‘spring clean’ or ‘dusting away of the past’ is a symbolic act representing a fresh start and the purification of both physical and spiritual spaces.
Additionally, those celebrating Nowruz often purchase new clothes, further emphasising the spirit of renewal and new beginnings.
ADVERTISEMENTThe Table of Seven Symbols
The Haft-Sin tablecloth is a central element of Nowruz, particularly in Iran. Artfully arranged, it features seven items, whose names begin with the letter “S” in Persian. Each item represents different aspects of life:
- Sabzeh (wheat or lentil sprouts) symbolises rebirth, infancy, and life.
- Samanu (a sweet pudding made from wheat germ) represents abundance and blessings.
- Senjed (dried fruit from the Senjed tree) symbolises love.
- Seer (garlic) represents health and healing.
- Note (apples) symbolise beauty and health.
- Somāq (sumac) signifies the victory of good over evil and the rising sun.
- Serkeh (vinegar) symbolises patience, aging, and the passage of time.
In addition to these main symbols, other items starting with “S” may be included, such as hyacinths and a clock.
The Haft-Sin table is often decorated with mirrors, candlesticks, coloured eggs, and red fish, which represent the passing of the twelfth and final zodiac sign, Pisces.
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ADVERTISEMENTIt is also common to place a Divan of Hafez’s poems or the Qur’an on the table. Many families have a tradition of randomly opening the book and reading a poem or verse, seeking guidance for the year ahead.
Fire Rituals
In many regions, people take part in fire-related celebrations, such as “Chaharshanbe Suri” or ‘Red Wednesday’ in Iran.
This celebration, on the last Tuesday before Nowruz, involves families gathering around a fire and jumping over it. The act symbolises cleansing, renewal, and liberation from past sorrows, while embracing the warmth and vitality of the spring season.
Traditional Foods
Food plays a vital role during Nowruz, with special dishes prepared and shared among family and friends. In Iran, families celebrate the arrival of spring on the first day of Nowruz by enjoying dishes like vegetable pilaf and Sabzi Polow (herbed rice), often served with fish.
ADVERTISEMENTA standout feature of the Nowruz feast is in Somalak (also known as Sumanak), a sweet dessert. Slowly cooked over several hours, in Somalak symbolises the gradual yet certain arrival of spring and the promise of new beginnings.
Visiting Friends and Family
During Nowruz, it is customary to visit friends and family. Younger family members traditionally visit their parents and older relatives to wish them a happy New Year and celebrate the arrival of spring.
In return, elders often give gifts, typically in the form of Aidi (cash), known locally as da'dias a symbol of blessing.
In Zoroastrian culture, this ritual represents Mahrurza profound respect for the older generation.
ADVERTISEMENTDuring these visits, families usually offer guests a variety of snacks, such as nuts (including pistachios, almonds, and dried fruits) and various pastries. However, this tradition is slowly fading in Iran due to the rising cost of living.
‘Nature Day’
Siyez-e Badr is an ancient Iranian tradition celebrated on the 13th day of April, also known as ‘Nature Day’. It marks the conclusion of the Nowruz festivities and is typically a time when people leave their homes to spend the day outdoors.
While the number 13 is often linked to bad luck in Iranian culture, this tradition of leaving the house is more closely associated with celebrating the natural world and the end of Nowruz, rather than any superstitions with the number itself.
