These days that third round of political sanctions imposed on IRAN, because of its Nuclear Issue that is Iranians definite right to access this source of energy; nobody in IRAN cares about the sanctions and all Iranians are going to be ready for their great ceremony, Norouz (Iranians new year celebration that will start with first day of Spiring), the world's greatest new year celebration that it goes back to probably thousands years B.C. (According to some archaeologies it refers to 7,000 years ago and according to the other group less than 7,000 years ago.)
IRAN will start the year 1387 (Solar Calendar) or year 2567 (Ancient Calendar, This calendar would have been an Iranian Calendar since its starting point coincided with the coronation of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire, 550 B.C.) in 1st of FARVARDIN (the first month of Iranian Calendar and first month of Spring) and according to Christian Calendar it will start in 20th of March.
Norouz ceremony is 13 days that during this period, Schools, Universities, and Academic institutes are off except Banks, Organizations, Companies, and Governmental Institutes that just 6 days are off for them.
The oldest of Iranian traditions, Norouz recalls the cosmological and mythological times of IRAN. Its founder is a deputy of Ahura Mazda (One of the names of GOD in Zoroatrianism; deity) on earth, a position that imparts to him and the celebration a spiritual dimension and a particular sense of secular authority. The celebration is organized according to the dynamics of love between the Creator and his creation, the material world. The annual return of the spirits of the departed to their homes is celebrated by their offspring according to primordial rites of which only a faint trace remains among the Persians and the Parsees of today. But that in no way diminishes the importance of the bond which is refreshed at every Norouz.
The word "Norouz" is a compound of two Persian words, "NO" which has the same etymology as the English word "New" and means NEW ("NO" also is lent to English language that in Old English it changed to NIWE and in Modern English is NEW), and the word "ROUZ" which means both "day" and "time" (The word DAY is another borrowed word from Persian [FARSI]*). Literally meaning the "New Day", Norouz is usually translated as "New Year". The Persian Norouz begins on the first day of Spring.
In the mind of Iranians, the word Norouz invokes colorful images which are sumptuous, elegant, and opulent as well as delightfully simple, refreshing, and cordial. Although colored with vestiges of IRAN's Mazdian and Zoroastrian past, the Norouz celebration is neither religious nor national in nature, nor is it an ethnic celebration. Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, Armenian, Azeri and Turkish Iranians and Central Asians celebrate the Norouz with the same enthusiasm and sense of belonging. Perhaps it is this very universal nature of the message of Norouz that speaks to its wealth of rites and customs as well as to its being identified as the unique fount of continuity of the Iranian culture.
*Farsi, Parsi, and Persian; all three have same meaning used to declare Iranians language.
Khwajah Piruz (Haji Firuz):
The month during which Norouz celebrations are held is an extraordinary time in the life of the community. In ancient times this aspect of Norouz was so prominent that the mayors of towns were literally displaced by the most victorious person in carrying out the commands of Ahura Mazda and his six holy immortals. This victorious (Piruz) Khwaja or Lord was given the rule of the realm for the period. As a part of his duties, Khwaja Piruz saw to it that all the people of the realm were provided with the amenities and joy that were due them. In time, especially after the fall of IRAN to the Arabs (It goes back to ARABs invasion) who would not relinquish rule to defeated foes, the office of Khwaja Piruz deteriorated into its Arabized form, Haji Firuz. Only the duty of stimulating laughter and providing a good time has remained of what must have been a complex set of social affairs. Today, Haji Firuz (The symbol of Santa Claus in Christianity has gotten from Persian culture) is no more than a spectacle that occurs during the last few weeks before Norouz. He and his troupe of musicians appear on the streets and alleyways all over the country.
Known as the traditional herald of the Norouz, Haji Firuz is a black-faced character clad in bright red clothes and a felt hat playing a tambourine and singing, "Haji Firuze, sali ye ruze." (It is Haji Firuz time, It happens one day a year!). People of all ages gather around him and his troupe of musicians and listen to them play the drum, saz or kamancheh and dance. Those who are impressed with the troupe's performance shower it with coins and paper money.
Often, well-to-do Iranians invite Haji Firuz to their home to perform for their wife and daughters who would otherwise never see Haji Firuz in action on the street. Here the group plays popular folk music, performs a variety of comic routines, and tells jokes. At the end of the performance the members are invited to a nice Norouz meal and are handsomely compensated for their contribution with an eydi (Norouz gift).
Haft-SIN Traditions:
A few days before the arrival of Norouz, a rather large table cloth is spread on the floor of the main room of the house and the following items are placed on it:
1) Lighted Candles:
Which represent the goodness and warmth that enters life with the coming of spring and the dissipation of evil that has had the world in its cold grip, are placed on the tablecloth. In a large setting, an open fire would replace the candles. The number of the candles must be the same as the number of the offspring in the household. Often an egg accompanies each candle. It should be mentioned that the candles on displays must be allowed to burn themselves out. It is bad luck to blow out a candle.
2) A Copy of Holy Book:
A copy of Quran (Holy book of the Muslims) or the Avesta (Holy book of the Zoroastrians) or the Bible or the Torah (depending on the faith to which the family belongs) is placed in a prominent place on the tablecloth. The holy scripture refreshes the bond between the faithful and the source of good emanating from the light.
3) Haft SIN (Seven S):
Haft SIN ("Haft" means "Seven" and "SIN" means letter "S") or Seven edible things the names of which in Persian begin with the letter "SIN" or "S" are placed in a tray or otherwise placed next to each other on the tablecloth. Sib (apple), Somaq (sumac), Sir (garlic), Samanu (a paste made with wheat sprouts), Senjed (jujube fruit), Sowhan (a candy made with honey and nuts), Siyahdane (sesame seeds), Serkeh (vinegar), and Sangak (bread baked on a bed of rocks) are the usual edible items from among which seven are chosen. Since the edible items on the Haft-SIN are not to be eaten until after the change of seasons, often non-edibles such as Sekke (coin), Sonbol (hyacinth), Spand (the wild rue), Sabzeh (wheat or lentil sprouts) are substituted. The seven "SIN"s symbolically recall Ahura Mazda and the six Amesha Spentas who help him regulate the affairs of man according to the "Zoroastrianism" or order prescribed by Ahura Mazda's Ahuric Order. It should be added that today the seven "SIN"s are interpreted rather differently, as the following example illustrates:
A) Samanu (A paste made with wheat sprouts): Sweetness, Fertility, Having many children
B) Senjed (Jujube fruit): Love
C) Sir (Garlic): Medicine for recovering from evil
D) Sib (Apple): Health, Natural Beauty, Fragrance
E) Somaq (Sumac): Color of the Sun at Sun-rise
F) Serkeh (Vinegar): Age and Patience; Wards off bitterness in life
G) Sabzeh (Wheat or Lentil Sprouts): Purity, Opulence, and Good Fortune
Needless to say, these interpretations are not sanctioned by any particular authority or based on any overall analysis of the theological and/or cosmological values that Ancient Persians might have had for them. What else can be an apt interpretation of Sekke (coin) in this context but affluence, wealth, and prosperity? Ironically, this is one of the "S's" that comes into fruition right after the "Tahvil-e Sal", means the hour during which the old year ends and the new year begins. The Coins which equal the number of family members, are distributed among the members by the family patriarch (Grandfather or Father).
Additionally, it should be mentioned that Haft-Sin could have been Haft-Shin (Seven "SH")--SHir (milk), SHekar (sugar), SHahd (nectar), SHarbat (sherbet or compote), SHaneh (comb), SHarab (wine), and SHam' (candle)--in pre-Islamic times. "SHIN" has been changed to "SIN" to accommodate Islam's disapproval of Sharab or wine. Why that one item could not have been replaced with a different item beginning with "SHIN" is not known.
Other traditions relate Haft-SIN or Haft-SHIN to Seven Trays filled with Seven delicious food items or Seven different growing seeds, or Sseven varieties of nuts offered to the King. Others consider the Seven "S's" to have been Life, Health, Happiness, Prosperity, Joy, and Beauty, all forming the Seventh "S" which, according to Zoroastrian traditions, represents Truth.
Still others contend that while the first tray to Ahura Mazda was empty (Truth is a combination of things with no substance of its own), the other six trays were filled with Flowers, Sugar, Milk, Cheese, Yogurt, Butter, Cream, Eggs, Water, Mirrors, Candelabra, Burning Coal, Silver, and Gold. These items, according to this belief, represent Truth, Good thought, Dominion, Piety, Prosperity, Immortality, and Obedience.
A) A mirror placed on the sofreh face up with a plain hard-boiled egg placed on it in the middle.
B) A bowl of clear water with an orange and a leaf of a rose bush floating in it.
C) Live goldfish in a bowl of clear water.
D) The barley, lentil, or wheat sprouts that had been growing since early March decorated with a red ribbon around the outside and an orange seated in the center.
In addition to these there are representatives of the other kingdoms sustaining life on earth, i.e., products from the animal kingdom in the form of Cheese and Yogurt, the plant kingdom in the form of Flour, Vegetables, Rice, and of the water kingdom in the form of the Goldfish are also placed on the table-cloth. Pomegranates and pussy willows also are sometimes seen. The latter is especially important as it blossoms at this very time of the year.
An upright mirror and plenty of colored eggs, cookies, and various types of fruits and sweets, candies, and nuts are added to decorate the table-cloth.
Sizdah Bedar:
Sizdah-bedar is the Persian Festival. It is celebrated on the 13th day of Norouz. The idea behind celebrating this day was to go outdoors and have fun on the thirteenth day of the new year; and let go of all the unlucky omens; since many people believed that thirteen is an ill-omened number. It was believed that "Joy" and "Laughter" would clean the mind from all evil thoughts. The word "Sizdah" means "Thirteen", and "Bedar" means "to get rid of". Altogether "Sizdah Bedar" means "Getting rid of the thirteen".
There are other rituals associated with Sizdah-Bedar, among them; is the knotting blades of grass by unmarried girls in hope of finding a good companion. The family members may meet each other at the festival and find possible candidates for their unmarried daughters, as well as sons, and to make arrangements for their proper introduction at later time! The knotting of the grass represents love and the bond between a man and a woman.
Normally about a week before the new Iranians would start to grow certain types of grains; usually wheat or lentil; the process is just like growing sprout yet they will let it grow long and green blades and keep watering it till the thirteenth day of the new year. The grown plant is called Sabzeh (wheat or lentil sprouts). Sabzeh is supposed to have collected all the sickness, pain and ill fate that may lie ahead of the family throughout the coming year! Bringing someone else's Sabzeh on the thirteenth day, therefore, is considered to be a bad omen, and may invite other peoples' pain and hardship to oneself. The last ritual that wraps the day up is to throw away the Sabzeh (newly sprout grains). During this outing the sabzeh that had been displayed and with it, all the sins, worries, and concerns of the past are thrown into running water. The new year then begins with a fresh slate on the 14th day of the month.
Sizdah-Bedar is also believed to be a special day to ask for rain from one of the Zoroastrian deities that was called "Tir"; and is depicted as a horse. Sizdah-Bedar is also a day for competitive games. Games involving horses were often chosen since the horse represented the deity of rain.
Eydi, Hediye or Kado (All three means Gift):
Norouz visits may include exchange of gifts. Exchange of gifts, however, should not be confused with Eydi (New-year gift), which can take a number of forms depending on circumstances. Within the family, the head of the household may give either Coins or new bank notes of certain value to the members of his family or to visitors as Eydi. The Coins may be Gold, Silver or of some special make. On Norouz days, the family may stage a small "money-hunting" game. This is very much like finding Easter eggs in the grass. The money, however, is usually placed under the edges of carpets in various rooms in the house.
Norouz visitors during the early days of the celebration are children and young adults; they visit the older members as a sign of respect. Similarly, employees visit their bosses and directors at this time. The reason for the lack of such a visit is usually interpreted as the existence of some deep-rooted hostility or hatred on the part of a young family member or an employee. The visitors do not bring any gifts but may receive a gift. During the latter part of the twelve-day Norouz celebration, the older members of the family visit the younger members. This visit may include gifts, usually larger gifts like carpets and cars, or sth cheaper based on the families possession as Eydi. Bosses and directors often delay a promotion to be given as an Eydi to a deserving employee on the occasion of the Norouz.
In modern times, Norouz visits have expanded into parties. Some of these parties are communal in nature. Members of the Iranian society organize them. They charge a fee for food and drinks. Other similar parties welcome the guests as "members" of the family. In the latter situation, it is appropriate to bring a gift. The gifts given usually include but are not restricted to confectioneries, especially GAZ (a candy made with honey and nuts) made in Isfahan or SOWHAN (a candy made with honey and nuts, but defferent from GAZ) made in the holy city of Qom. Although, even in IRAN, these sweets are not made at home, they are available from Iranian specialty shops in most major cities. Other types of sweets, pistachio nuts, dried nuts and fruits, books, flowers, and liquor (outside IRAN) are also appropriate gifts for the occasion.
