Dear friends, happy Norooz, happy Spring, happy New Year! Wish you all the best!
In harmony with rebirth of nature, the Persian New Year Celebration, or Norooz, always begins on the first day of spring, March 20th of each year. Norooz ceremonies are symbolic representations of two ancient concepts - the End and Rebirth. About 3000 years ago Persian's major religion was Zoroastrianism, named in honor of its founder Zoroaster, and arguably the world's first monotheistic religion. Zoroastrians had a festival called "Farvardgan" which lasted ten days, and took place at the end of the solar year. It appears that this was a festival of sorrow and mourning , signifying the end of life while the festival of Norooz, at the beginning of spring signified rebirth, and was a time of great joy and celebration. Norooz was officially acknowledged and named "Norooz" by mythical Persian emperor, Shah Jamshid, from Achaemenid Dynasty (500 BC). Ashaemenied created the first major empire in the region and built Persepolis complex (Takhte Jamshid) in the city of Shiraz. Norooz in Persian means "New Day" and brings hope, peace and prosperity to the world and has been celebrated among people regardless of ethnic background, political views or religion in many countries around the globe such as Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Georgia, Iraq, Tajikistan, Syria ,Armenia and India. Some of the activities during Norooz are Spring cleaning, buying new cloths, painting eggs, family reunion, giving presents, visiting neighbors and friends and celebrating by having a picnic on the 13th day of Spring. Happy Norooz!
Wish your family and friends a Happy New Year and Happy "Norooz"
A list of suggested items for your sofreh:
1-Sabzeh: Spring Sprouts:Made from wheat or lentil this S signifies rebirth and renewal.
2-Senjed: A sweet,dry fruit of a lotus tree:
The fragrant and blooming lotus tree makes people fall in love so it is natural that its fruit would signify love and affection !
3-Sib: Apple:A big red apple represents health and beauty.
4-Samanu:Wheat Pudding:Wheat and wheat products signify sweetness and fertility.
5-Serkeh: Vinegar:White Vinegar signifies age and patience.
6-Somagh:Crushed Sumac berries:This S symbolizes the spice of life. Some say Somagh represents the color of the sunrise and with the sun all evil is conquered.
7-Seer:Garlic:This medicinal S is a sign of good health.
and more in case you like to add more than 7; optional >>
8-Sekeh:Coins:Wealth and Prosperity
9-Sonbol:Hyacinth Flower:Purple or pink represent life and beatuy.
10-Head of the Sofreh: A Mirror To bring light & brightness into the New Year.
11-Head of the Sofreh: Scriptures:Qoran,Bible,Torah, Avesta or other Scriptures:Symbolizes blessings and faith in the New Year.
12-.... the list can go on forever. What's even more important is to spend quality time with your family and loved ones! Happy Persian New Year, Noroozetoon mobarak!
In harmony with rebirth of nature, the Persian New Year Celebration, or Norooz, always begins on the first day of spring, March 20th of each year. Norooz ceremonies are symbolic representations of two ancient concepts - the End and Rebirth. About 3000 years ago Persian's major religion was Zoroastrianism, named in honor of its founder Zoroaster, and arguably the world's first monotheistic religion. Zoroastrians had a festival called "Farvardgan" which lasted ten days, and took place at the end of the solar year. It appears that this was a festival of sorrow and mourning , signifying the end of life while the festival of Norooz, at the beginning of spring signified rebirth, and was a time of great joy and celebration. Norooz was officially acknowledged and named "Norooz" by mythical Persian emperor, Shah Jamshid, from Achaemenid Dynasty (500 BC). Ashaemenied created the first major empire in the region and built Persepolis complex (Takhte Jamshid) in the city of Shiraz. Norooz in Persian means "New Day" and brings hope, peace and prosperity to the world and has been celebrated among people regardless of ethnic background, political views or religion in many countries around the globe such as Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Georgia, Iraq, Tajikistan, Syria ,Armenia and India. Some of the activities during Norooz are Spring cleaning, buying new cloths, painting eggs, family reunion, giving presents, visiting neighbors and friends and celebrating by having a picnic on the 13th day of Spring. Happy Norooz!
Wish your family and friends a Happy New Year and Happy "Norooz"
A list of suggested items for your sofreh:
1-Sabzeh: Spring Sprouts:Made from wheat or lentil this S signifies rebirth and renewal.
2-Senjed: A sweet,dry fruit of a lotus tree:
The fragrant and blooming lotus tree makes people fall in love so it is natural that its fruit would signify love and affection !
3-Sib: Apple:A big red apple represents health and beauty.
4-Samanu:Wheat Pudding:Wheat and wheat products signify sweetness and fertility.
5-Serkeh: Vinegar:White Vinegar signifies age and patience.
6-Somagh:Crushed Sumac berries:This S symbolizes the spice of life. Some say Somagh represents the color of the sunrise and with the sun all evil is conquered.
7-Seer:Garlic:This medicinal S is a sign of good health.
and more in case you like to add more than 7; optional >>
8-Sekeh:Coins:Wealth and Prosperity
9-Sonbol:Hyacinth Flower:Purple or pink represent life and beatuy.
10-Head of the Sofreh: A Mirror To bring light & brightness into the New Year.
11-Head of the Sofreh: Scriptures:Qoran,Bible,Torah, Avesta or other Scriptures:Symbolizes blessings and faith in the New Year.
12-.... the list can go on forever. What's even more important is to spend quality time with your family and loved ones! Happy Persian New Year, Noroozetoon mobarak!
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