HAPPY SPRING CELEBRATIONS! ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NOROOZ....

Spring and spring time refer to a new season and also to the idea of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal and growth. The Persian New Year NOROOZ is on the first day of spring (March 20th) and is an ancient Persian Festival dating back to 1700 BCE.

NOROOZ has no religious affiliations. It is an international day based on the UN declarations and is celebrated by many countries all around the world. At this time of the year days are close to 12 hours long and they get longer as the season progresses (Spring Equinox).

The last Wednesday of the year before the New Year is called "Wednesday Light" and in the evening bonfires are lit and people jump over the fire saying a purification rite.

This year (2015) the first day of spring coincides with occurrence of a Total Solar Eclipse covering 90% of the sun. Based on the available information the eclipse starts at 07.41 UTC and ends at 11.50 UTC. Among other places in the world it also affects West in North America.

On New Year's Day families gather around a traditional table setting called "HAFT-SEEN" to observe the rituals of spring season. The name of the items on the table each starts with the letter "S" in Persian language and each have their own significance symbolizing something special.

The seven essential items can be selected from the following list but you can also use them all:

SABZEH: Sprouts grown in a dish using lentils, wheat, etc. symbolizing rebirth.
SEEB: Apples symbolizing health and beauty.
SENJET: Dry fruit of Lotus tree symbolizing love.
SEER: Garlic symbolizing medicine.
SUMAC berries: symbolizing sunrise.
SAMANOO: Wheat germ pudding symbolizing new life.
SEKKEH: Coins symbolizing affluence
SERKEH: Vinegar symbolizing age and patience
SOMBOL: Hyacinth flower symbolizing constancy

Other items:

Gold fish swimming in water: Symbolizing life
Painted eggs: Symbolizing spring celebrations
Mirror: Symbolizing the sky
Candles: symbolizing fire
Cookies: symbolizing sweetness of life

You can also put other decorative items on the table as you like.
The traditional food of the New Year's Day is a especial kind of vegetable rice with white fish.

Happy Celebrations!!

#NOROOZ