NoRooz


                 
            No-Rooz, in word, means "New Day". It is the new day that starts the
            year, traditionally the exact astronomical beginning of the Spring.
            Iranians take that as the beginning of the year. This exact second
            is called "Saal Tahvil". No-Rooz with its' uniquely Iranian
            characteristics has been celebrated for at least 3,000 years and is
            deeply rooted in the rituals and traditions of the Zoroastrian (This
            was the religion of ancient Persia before the advent of Islam in 7th
            century A.D.).

            Iranians consider No-Rooz as their biggest celebration of the year,
            before the new year, they start cleaning their houses (Khaane
            Tekaani), and they buy new clothes. But a major part of New Year
            rituals is setting the "Haft Seen" with seven specific items. In
            ancient times each of the items corresponded to one of the seven
            creations and the seven holy immortals protecting them. Today they
            are changed and modified but some have kept their symbolism. All the
            seven items start with the letter "S"; this was not the order in
            ancient times. These seven things usually are: Seeb (apple), Sabze
            (green grass), Serke (vinager), Samanoo (a meal made out of wheat),
            Senjed (bucktorn), Sekke (coin), and Seer (garlic).
            Sometimes instead of Serke they put Somagh (sumak, an Iranian
            spice). Zoroastrians today do not have the seven "S"s but they have
            the ritual of growing seven seeds as a reminder that this is the
            seventh feast of creation, while their sprouting into new growth
            symbolized resurrection and eternal life to come.

            Wheat or lentil representing new growth is grown in a flat dish a
            few days before the New Year and is called Sabzeh (green shoots).
            Decorated with colorful ribbons, it is kept until Sizdah beh dar,
            the 13th day of the New Year, and then disposed outdoors. A few live
            gold fish (the most easily obtainable animal) are placed in a fish
            bowl. In the old days they would be returned to the riverbanks.
            Mirrors are placed on the spread

            with lit candles as a symbol of fire. Most of the people used to
            place Qoran on their Sofreh (spread) in order to bless the New Year.
            But some people found another alternative to Qoran and replaced it
            by the Divan-e Hafez (poetry book of Hefez), and during "Saal
            Tahvil" reading some verses from it was popular. Nowadays, a great
            number of Iranians are placing Shahnameh (the Epic of Kings) of
            Ferdowsi on their spread as an Iranian national book. They believe
            that Shahnameh has more Iranian identity values and spirits, and is
            much suitable for this ancient celebration.


                 
            After the Saal Tahvil, people hug and kiss each other and wish each
            other a happy new year. Then they give presents to each other
            (traditionally cash, coins or gold coins), usually older ones to the
            younger ones. The first few days are spent visiting older members of
            the family, relatives and friends. Children receive presents and
            sweets, special meals and "Aajil" (a combination of different nuts
            with raisins and other sweet stuff) or fruits are consumed.
            Traditionally on the night before the New Year, most Iranians will
            have Sabzi Polo Mahi, a special dish of rice cooked with fresh herbs
            and served with smoked and freshly fried fish. Koukou Sabzi, a
            mixture of fresh herbs with eggs fried or baked, is also served. The
            next day rice and noodles (Reshteh Polo) is served. Regional
            variations exist and very colorful feasts are prepared.

            The 13th day of the new year is called "Sizdah Bedar" and spent
            mostly outdoors. People will leave their homes to go to the parks or
            local plains for a festive picnic. It is a must to spend Sizdah
            Bedar in nature. This is called Sizdah Bedar and is the most popular
            day of the holidays among children because they get to play a lot!
            Also in this day, people throw the Sabze away, they believe Sabze
            should not stay in the house after "Sizdah Bedar". Iranians regard
            13th day as a bad omen and believe that by going into the fields and
            parks they avoid misfortunes. It is also believed that unwed girls
            can wish for a husband by going into the fields and tying a knot
            between green shoots, symbolizing a marital bond.

            Another tradition of the new year celebrations is "Chahar-Shanbeh
            Soori". It takes place before Saal Tahvil, at the last Wednesday of
            the old year, well actually Tuesday night! People set up bon fire,
            young and old leap over the fires with songs and gestures of
            merriment like:
              (Sorkhi-e to az man) Give me your beautiful red color
              (Zardi-e man az to) And take back my sickly pallor!

              It means: I will give you my yellow color (sign of sickness), and
              you give me your fiery red color (sign of healthiness). This is a
              purification rite and 'suri' itself means red and fiery.
            No-Rooz Greetings:
            No-Rooz Mobarak (Happy No-Rooz, Happy New Year);
            Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak (Happy New Year to you);
            No-Rooz Pirooz (Wishing you a Prosperous New Year);
            Sad Saal be in Saal-ha (Wishing you 100 more Happy New Years).

            After all No-Rooz is a fun time for all of the Iranians, old and
            young.


            

منبع: ویکیپدیا