Iranians celebrate Nowruz, a moment of renewal

Millions of Iranians across the world are welcoming Nowruz, an ancient tradition deeply rooted in Iran's heritage, marking the beginning of 1404 in the Persian solar calendar.

Nowruz is more than just a celebration of renewal, prosperity, and the arrival of spring; it is a cultural cornerstone that has survived centuries of change. Its enduring spirit reflects the resilience of Persian heritage, bridging the past and present while continuing to bring families and communities together.

Nowruz begins at a precise astronomical moment—the Spring Equinox, usually on March 21—when families gather around the traditional haft-seen table, exchanging greetings and gifts to welcome the new year. If the Equinox falls in the second half of March 20, celebrations begin earlier, though the new calendar year officially starts the next day.

Nowruz and the Iranian Calendar

Unlike the lunar-based Islamic calendar, where the year is 1446, the Iranian calendar follows the solar-based Jalali system, introduced in 1079 AD. The first year of the Jalali calendar aligns with Prophet Muhammad’s migration (Hijra), yet its months are named after ancient Persian deities, reflecting Iran’s fusion of Islamic and pre-Islamic traditions.

The lunar-based calendar is around ten days shorter each year than the Iranian calendar year. This sometimes causes an overlap between Nowruz and Shia mourning days or Ramadan. Like last year, Nowruz coincides with Ramadan this month, and the second day of the New Year will be a mourning day for the first Shia saint, Imam Ali. Such coincidences complicate the celebrations for observant Muslims and others in Iran who must be careful not to offend the former by making a show of the festive Nowruz spirit.

Endurance of a pre-Islamic festival

Despite Iran’s Islamification 1,400 years ago and the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Nowruz remains a cherished festival, celebrated not only in Iran but also in neighboring countries including Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and by Kurds in Turkey and Iraq.

Some Iranian clerics and their followers oppose or are lukewarm toward Nowruz due to its pre-Islamic origins and perceived ties to Zoroastrianism. However, the Islamic Republic has never sought to ban the widely celebrated holiday. Instead, it has used state media, mosques, and propaganda organizations to elevate Islamic holidays—including the birthday of Prophet Mohammed, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha—seeking to enhance their festive significance.

Folk music group performing at Pasargadae on Nowruz day, March 21, 2023

Ancient Origins: From Persepolis to Today

Nowruz dates back to the Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC) and likely has roots in ancient agricultural festivals that celebrated the cycle of nature. Some scholars believe it was influenced by the Babylonian spring festival of Akitu, which inspired Persians to establish their own New Year tradition.

Historical evidence suggests that parts of the Persepolis complex, such as the Apadana Palace and the Hall of a Hundred Columns, were constructed for grand Nowruz ceremonies. The famous bas-reliefs of Apadana Palace, depicting people from various regions bringing gifts to the Persian king, may represent Nowruz celebrations at the heart of the empire.

The Haft-Seen: A Table of Symbols

At the heart of Nowruz celebrations in Iran is the haft-seen, a carefully arranged spread on the floor or a table that symbolically embodies light, life, fertility, nature, and prosperity.

The names of at least seven items on the spread must start with the Persian letter “sin”, possibly derived from “sini” (meaning tray), as it was once customary to display them on seven trays. These items include sprouted greens (sabzeh), Coins (sekkeh), Apples (sib), a pudding made from freshly sprouted wheat germ (samanu), sumac (somagh), garlic (sir), hyacinths (sonbol) and vinegar (serkeh).

A mirror and candles (symbols of light), painted eggs (symbol of fertility), goldfish (symbol of life), as well as various sweets and nuts, and a holy book (such as the Quran) are often also placed on the spread.

The family gathers around the spread, and when the Equinox is announced on radio or television, they embrace and exchange well wishes. The head of the family distributes gifts, often crisp new banknotes placed inside the Quran for blessing, while sweets are shared to usher in a sweet and prosperous new year.

Traditionally, people visit the eldest members of their extended families as soon as possible after the new year begins. During the holiday season, they continue visiting other relatives and acquaintances, with each visit expected to be reciprocated.

Traditional Nowruz cuisine

Food is central to Nowruz celebrations, with special dishes symbolizing renewal and abundance. While traditional Nowruz meals once varied widely across regions, they were shaped by local ingredients and culinary traditions.

Since the mid-20th century, however, a fragrant rice dish with fresh herbs (sabzi polo), served with pan-fried fish and a rich green herb omelet (kuku sabzi), has become the most common Nowruz meal. Previously, this combination was mostly popular in the northern Caspian Sea region.

Rice mixed with noodles, served with various meat or chicken-based stews, and ash-e reshteh—a hearty soup made with legumes, herbs, and noodles—are also popular Nowruz dishes. The noodles in these meals are believed to symbolize the unraveling of life’s complexities and a clear path for the year ahead.