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{{dablink|For [[Coptic calendar|Coptic New Year]], see [[Nayrouz]]. For other uses, see [[Nowruz (disambiguation)]].}}
{{Infobox Holiday
|holiday_name = Nowrūz
|type = International
|longtype =
|image = Frühling blühender Kirschenbaum.jpg
|caption =
|official_name =
|nickname = Also spelled Norouz, Norooz, Narooz, Nawruz, Newroz, Newruz, Nauruz, Nawroz, Noruz, Novruz, Nauroz, Navroz, Naw-Rúz, Nowroj, Navroj, Nevruz, Neyruz, {{unicode|Наврӯз}}, Navruz, Navrez, Nooruz, Nauryz, Nevruz, Nowrouz,
|observedby = Principally in:<br>{{flagicon|IRN}} [[Iran]]<br>{{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} [[Uzbekistan]]<br>{{flagicon|Afghanistan}} [[Afghanistan]]<br>{{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} [[Kazakhstan]]<br>{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} [[Azerbaijan]]<br>{{flagicon|Tajikistan}} [[Tajikistan]] <br> {{flagicon|Georgia}} [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]<ref>http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=22108</ref> <br> {{flagicon|Kurdistan}} [[Iraqi Kurdistan]]<br>{{flagicon|Turkmenistan}} [[Turkmenistan]]<br> {{flagicon|Kyrgyzstan}} [[Kyrgyzstan]]<br> {{flagicon|Albania}} [[Albania]]<br> {{flagicon|Kosovo}} [[Kosovo]]<br> ethnic & religious groups worldwide:[[Kurdish diaspora]]<br>[[Zoroastrian]]s, [[Sufism|Sufi]]s, [[Bahá'í Faith|Bahá'í]]s and the [[Iranian citizens abroad|Iranian diaspora]]. Also observed in [[Armenia]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]], [[Caucasus]], [[Crimea]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[India]], [[Kashmir]], [[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]], [[Pakistan]], [[Serbia]], [[Syria]], and among [[Uyghur]]s and [[Salars]] of [[China]].

|ends =
|date = March 20, 21 or 22<br/>
|week_ordinal =
|weekday =
|month =
<!-- if the date changes in an unusual pattern -->
|date2007 =
|date2008 =
|date2009 = Friday, March 20, 2009 at 11:44 UTC [[Equinox|*]]
|date2010 = Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 17:32 UTC [[Equinox|*]]
|celebrations = The [[Haft sin table|Haftsin]] setting, [[Chaharshanbe Suri|Chahârshanbe Sûrî]], [[Sizdah Bedar]], etc.
|observances =
|relatedto =
|significance =New year holiday
}}

'''Nowrūz''' ({{lang-fa|نوروز}}, {{IPA-fa|nouˈɾuːz|IPA}}, ''"New Day"'', originally ''"New Light"'') is a traditional ancient [[Iranian peoples|Iranian]]<ref name="Meri">Josef W. Meri, Jere L. Bacharach, "Medieval Islamic Civilization: L-Z, index ", Taylor & Francis, 2006. pp 605: "Buyid rulers such as Azud al-Dawla resusciated a number of pre-islamic Iranian practices, most notably the titular of shahanshah (king of kings) and the celebration of the Persian New Year</ref> festival which celebrates the start of the [[Iranian calendar|Iranian]] [[New Year]]. The english equivalent of Nowruz is ''Persian New Year''.<ref>http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar/march_2010/norouz_persian_new_year.aspx</ref><ref>http://www.un.org/spanish/aboutun/organs/ga/55/verbatim/a55pv94e.pdf</ref><ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100317/wl_time/08599197278600</ref><ref>http://washingtontimes.com/news/2010/mar/19/us-mulls-persian-new-year-outreach-to-iran/</ref>

Nowruz is celebrated and observed by [[Iranian peoples]] and the [[Greater Iran|related cultural continent]] and has spread in many other parts of the world, including parts of [[Central Asia]], [[South Asia]], [[Xinjiang|Northwestern China]], the [[Crimea]] and some ethnic groups in [[Albania]], [[Bosnia]], [[Serbia]] and the [[Republic of Macedonia]].

Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in [[Iranian calendar]]. The earth stops its motion for a second .It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical [[vernal equinox]], which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed. As well as being a [[Zoroastrian]] holiday and having significance amongst the Zoroastrian ancestors of modern Iranians, the same time is celebrated in the Indian sub-continent as the new year. The moment the Sun crosses the [[celestial equator]] and equalizes night and day is calculated exactly every year and [[Iranian people|Iranian]] families gather together to observe the rituals.

Originally being a [[Zoroastrian festivals|Zoroastrian festival]], and the holiest of them all, Nowruz is believed to have been invented by [[Zoroaster]] himself, although there is no clear date of origin. .<ref>Boyce, M. Festivals. I. Zoroastrian. Encyclopaedia Iranica.</ref> Since the [[Achaemenid Empire|Achaemenid era]] the official year has begun with the New Day when the [[Sun]] leaves the [[zodiac]] of Pisces and enters the zodiacal sign of Aries, signifying the Spring Equinox. The Jewish festival of [[Purim]] is believed to have been adopted from the Persian New Year.<ref Name="Britannica"/> It is also a holy day for [[Sufism|Sufi]]s, [[Ismailism|Ismaili]]s, [[Alawites]],<ref name="i-cias.com">[http://i-cias.com/e.o/alawites.htm "But they also celebrate some of the same festivals as the Christians, like Christmas and Epiphany, as well as Nawruz, which originally is the Zoroastrian New Year."]</ref> [[Alevis]], and adherents of the [[Bahá'í Faith]].<ref name="bahai_calendar">{{cite web | url =http://www.bahai.us/bahai-calendar | title = The Baha'i Calendar | accessdate = 2007-03-19}}</ref>

The term Nowruz in writing, first appeared in [[History of Iran|Persian]] records in the second century AD, but it was also an important day during the time of the [[Achaemenid dynasty|Achaemenids]] (''[[circa|c.]]'' 648-330 BC), where kings from different nations under the [[Persian empire]] used to bring gifts to the emperor also called King of Kings ([[Shahanshah]]) of Persia on Nowruz.<ref>[http://www.irna.com/occasion/norouz/eng/hist.htm Norouz in the Course of History]</ref>.

The [[United Nations General Assembly|UN's General Assembly]] in 2010 recognized the International Day of Nowruz, describing it a spring festival of [[Persian people|Persian]] origin which has been celebrated for over 3,000 years.<ref>[http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/ga10916.doc.htm UN.org]</ref><ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-02-24/un-officially-recognizes-march-21-as-international-nowruz-day.html Businessweek.com]</ref> During the meeting of ''The Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage'' of the [[United Nations]], held between 28 September &ndash; 2 October 2009 in [[Abu Dhabi]], Nowrūz was officially registered on the [[UNESCO]] List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.<ref>''Novruz, Nowrouz, Nooruz, Navruz, Nauroz, Nevruz: Inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity'', [http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?RL=00282 UNESCO].</ref><ref>''Noruz and Iranian radifs registered on UNESCO list'', Tehran Times, 1 October 2009, [http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=204443 TehranTimes.com].</ref><ref>''Persian music, Nowruz make it into UN heritage list'', Press TV, 1 October 2009, [http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=107504&sectionid=351020105 PressTV.ir]</ref><ref>''Nowruz became international'', in Persian, BBC Persian, Wednesday, 30 September 2009, [http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/arts/2009/09/090930_mg_nowrooz_global_register.shtml BBC.co.uk]</ref>

==Etymology==

The term ''Nowruz'' is Persian and consists of two words:
* '''now''' (Old Persian ''nava'') means ''"new"'' in various [[Indo-Iranian languages]], including Persian, and has the same [[Indo-European]] origins as, for example, the English ''new'', the German ''neu'', and the French ''nouveau''. The Persian pronunciation differs in the many dialects of the language: while the [[Eastern Persian|eastern dialects]] have preserved the original [[diphtong]] ({{IPA-fa|nouˈɾuːz|IPA}}), the western dialects usually pronounce it with a [[monophtong]] ({{IPA-fa|noˈɾuːz|IPA}}).
* '''roz''' (also with various pronuciations, such as ''ruz'', ''rozh'', or ''roj'') means ''"day"'' in [[Middle Persian language|Middle-]] and [[Persian language|Modern Persian]], as well as related languages, such as [[Kurdish language|Kurdish]]. The original meaning of the word, however, was ''"light"''. The term is derived from [[Avestan language|Avestan]] ''*rowch-'', itself derived from Proto-Indo-European ''*leuk-'' (l <-> r and k <-> ch sound changes are common in Indo-European languages), and is related to [[Latin]] ''lux'' and, in fact, English ''light''.

==Nowruz and the spring equinox==
{{Mainarticle|Equinox}}
[[Image:Earth-lighting-equinox EN.png|240px|thumb|right|Illumination of the Earth by the Sun on the day of equinox, (ignoring twilight).]]The first day on the [[Iranian calendar]] falls on the [[Equinox|March equinox]], the first day of spring. At the time of the equinox, the sun is observed to be directly over the [[equator]], and the north and south poles of the Earth lie along the [[terminator (solar)|solar terminator]]; sunlight is evenly divided between the north and south [[Sphere|hemispheres]].

In ca. 11 century CE major reforms of Iranian calenders took place and whose principal purpose was to fix the beginning of the calendar year, i.e. Nowrūz, at the vernal equinox. Accordingly, the definition of Nowruz given by the Iranian scientist [[Nasīr_al-Dīn_al-Tūsī|Ṭūsī]] was the following: "the first day of the official new year [Nowruz] was always the day on which the sun entered [[Aries_(astrology)|Aries]] before noon".<ref> R. Abdollahy, [http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/unicode/v4f6/v4f6a073.html ''Calendars ii. Islamic period''], in [[Encyclopaedia Iranica]], Vol. 4, London-Newyork, 1990.</ref>

==History and tradition==
===Tradition and mythology===
[[File:Nowruz Zoroastrian.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Bas-relief]] in [[Persepolis]] - a symbol [[Zoroastrism|Zoroastrian]] Nowruz - in day of a spring [[equinox]] power of eternally fighting bull (personifying the [[Earth]]), and a lion (personifying the [[Sun]]), are equal]]
The celebration has its roots in [[Ancient Iran]]. Due to its antiquity, there exist various foundation myths for Nowruz in [[Iranian mythology]]. In the Zoroastrian tradition, the seven most important Zoroastrian festivals are the six [[Zoroastrian festivals#Gahambars|Gahambars]] and Nowruz, which occurs at the [[spring equinox]]. According to the late Professor [[Mary Boyce]],<ref>[http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/v9f5/v9f553a.html#i Encyclopedia Iranica, "Festivals: Zoroastrian" Boyce, Mary]</ref>{{cquote|"It seems a reasonable surmise that Nowruz, the holiest of them all, with deep doctrinal significance, was founded by [[Zoroaster]] himself''}} Between sunset of the day of the 6th [[Gahanbar]] and sunrise of Nowruz was celebrated Hamaspathmaedaya (later known, in its extended form, as Frawardinegan). This and the [[Gahanbar]] are the only festivals named in the surviving text of the [[Avesta]].

The [[Shahnameh]], dates Nowruz as far back to the reign of [[Jamshid]], who in [[Zoroastrian]] texts saved mankind from a killer winter that was destined to kill every living creature<ref>Moazami, M. "The Legend of the Flood in Zoroastrian Tradition." Persica 18: 55-74, (2002) [http://poj.peeters-leuven.be/content.php?url=issue&journal_code=PERS&issue=0&vol=18 Document Details]</ref> The mythical Persian King [[Jamshid]] (Yima or Yama of the [[Proto-Indo-Iranian religion|Indo-Iranian]] lore) perhaps symbolizes the transition of the Indo-Iranians from animal hunting to [[animal husbandry]] and a more settled life in human history. In the [[Shahnameh]] and [[Iranian mythology]], he is credited with the foundation of Nowruz. In the [[Shahnama]], [[Jamshid]] constructed a throne studded with gems. He had demons raise him above the earth into the heavens; there he sat on his throne like the sun shining in the sky. The world's creatures gathered in wonder about him and scattered jewels around him, and called this day the New Day or No/Now-Ruz. This was the first day of the month of Farvardin (the first month of the Persian calendar).<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Shahnameh-Persian-Kings-Abolqasem-Ferdowsi/dp/0670034851 Shahnameh:a new translation by Dick Davis, Viking Adult, 2006. pg 7]</ref>

The [[Persian people|Persian]] scholar [[Abu Rayhan Biruni]] of the 10th century A.D., in his [[Persian Language|Persian]] work "Kitab al-Tafhim li Awa'il Sina'at al-Tanjim" provides a description of the calendar of various nations. Besides the Persian calendar, various festivals of Arabs, Jews, Sabians, Greeks and other nations are mentioned in this book. In the section on the Persian calendar(تقویم پارسیان), he mentions Nowruz, [[Sadeh]], [[Tiregan]], [[Mehregan]], the six [[Gahanbar]], Parvardegaan, Bahmanja, Isfandarmazh and several other festivals. According to him: ''It is the belief of the Persians that Nowruz marks the first day when the universe started its motion.''<ref>
برگرفته از: «گنجينه‌ي سخن»، تأليف دكتر ذبيح الله صفا، انتشارات اميركبير، 1370، جلد يكم، ص 292
Original excerpt:
نخستين روز است از فروردين ماه و از اين جهت، روز نو نام كرده‌اند؛ زيرا كه پيشاني سال نو است و آن چه از پس اوست از اين پنج روز [= پنج روز اول فروردين] همه جشن‌هاست. و ششم فروردين ماه را «نوروز بزرگ» دارند؛ زيرا كه خسروان بدان پنج روز حق‌هاي حشم و گروهان و بزرگان بگزاردندي و حاجت‌ها روا كردني، آن گاه بدين روز ششم خلوت كردندي خاصگان را. و اعتقاد پارسيان اندر نوروز نخستين آن است كه اول روزي است از زمانه و بدو، فلك آغازيد گشتن.</ref> The Persian historian [[Gardizi|Abu Saʿīd Gardēzī]]<ref>Gardīzī, Abu Saʿīd ʿAbd-al-Ḥayy b. Żaḥḥāk b. Maḥmūd in [[Encyclopedia Iranica]] by C. Edmund Bosworth [http://www.iranica.com/newsite/index.isc?Article=http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/unicode/v10f3/v10f392.html Iranica.com]</ref> in his work titled ''Zayn al-Akhbā'' under the section of the Zoroastrians festivals mentions Nowruz (among other festivals) and specifically points out that [[Zoroaster]] highly emphasized the celebration of Nowruz and [[Mehregan]]<ref>Tārīkh-i Gardīzī / taʾlīf, Abū Saʻīd ʻAbd al-Ḥayy ibn Zahāk ibn Maḥmūd Gardīzī ; bih taṣḥīḥ va taḥshiyah va taʻlīq, ʻAbd al-Ḥayy Ḥabībī. Tihrān : Dunyā-yi Kitāb, 1363 [1984 or 1985]. excerpt from page 520:
مهرگان بزرگ باشد، و بعضی از مغان چنین گویند: که این فیروزی فریدون بر بیوراسپ، رام روز بودست از مهرماه، و زردشت که مغان او را به پیغمبری دارند، ایشان را فرموده است بزرگ داشتن این روز، و روز نوروز را. </ref>.

===History===
[[Image:Persepolis gifts.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Persepolis]] (Persian: تخت جمشید meaning the throne of [[Jamshid]]) all nations stair case. Notice the people from across the [[Achaemenid]] Persian Empire bringing gifts. Some scholars have associated the occasion to be either [[Mehregan]] or Nowruz<ref> Laura Foreman, "Alexander the Conqueror: The Epic Story of the Warrior King",Da Capo Press, 2004. pg 80: "The procession of the gift bearers was part of the annual New Year's rite in which [[Achaemenid]] monarchs renewed and reaffirmed their kingshp". [http://books.google.com/books?id=rVEa4nzLkT4C&pg=PA80&dq=renewed+and+reaffirmed+their+kingship&sig=3dJXRsxvibaqW6B-_-ngAo7rfls Alexander the Conqueror: The Epic Story of the Warrior King] J.M. Cook, 'The rise of the Achaemenids and establishment of their empire' in: Ilya Gershevitch (ed.): The Cambridge History of Iran, vol. II: The Median and Achaemenian Periods, 1985 Cambridge, page 237:''Darius built a great fortified terrace four miles to the south, at which he and some of his successors constructed palaces. This latter is what is known as Persepolis. It is sometimes asserted that the Kings went there for the New Year festival at the vernal Equinox and that the relief of Apadana are realistic representation of a procession that actually took place there, with delegations of all the subject people coming with their gifts.''</ref>.]]

Although it is not clear whether proto-Indo-Iranians celebrated a feast as the first day of the calendar, there are indications that both Iranians and Indians assumed the first day of autumn as the beginning of new year season. There are reasons that Iranians may have observed the beginning both autumn and spring.<ref name="Boyce"/>

Boyce and Grenet explain the traditions for seasonal festivals and comment:"It is possible that the splendor of the Babylonian festivities at this season led the Persians to develop their own spring festival into an established new year feast, with the name Navasarda 'New Year' (a name which, though first attested through Middle Persian derivatives, is attributed to the Achaemenian period). Since the communal observations of the ancient Iranians appear in general to have been a seasonal ones, it is probable, however, that they traditionally held festivals in both autumn and spring, to mark the major turning points of the natural year".<ref name="Boyce">A History of Zoroastrianism: Under the Achaemenians
By Mary Boyce, Frantz Grenet
Published by BRILL, 1982
ISBN 9004065067, 9789004065062, page 3-4</ref>

We have reasons to believe that the celebration is much older than that date and was surely celebrated by the people and royalty during the [[Achaemenid]] times (555-330 BC). It was, therefore, a highly auspicious occasion for the ancient [[Iranian peoples]]. It has been suggested that the famous [[Persepolis]] complex, or at least the palace of [[Apadana]] and the Hundred Columns Hall, were built for the specific purpose of celebrating Nowruz. Although, there may be no mention of Nowruz in recorded Achaemenid inscriptions (see picture)<ref name="Khodadad"/> There is a detailed account by [[Xenophon]] of Nowruz celebration taking place in Persepolis and the continuity of this festival in the Achaemenid tradition.<ref>Christopher Tuplin; Vincent Azoulay, ''Xenophon and His World: Papers from a Conference Held in Liverpool in July 1999'', Published by Franz Steiner Verlag, 2004, ISBN 3515083928, p.148.</ref> According to [[Britannica]], the Jewish festival of [[Purim]], is probably adopted from the Persian New Year. <ref Name="Britannica"> {{cite web
| last = The Judaic tradition » Jewish myth and legend » Sources and development » Myth and legend in the Persian period
| first =
| title = Encyclopaedia Britannica
| url = http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/307197/Judaism/35340/Sources-and-development#ref=ref299743
| accessdate = 2009-03-21}}
</ref>

Nowruz was the holiday of [[Parthian Empire|Arsacid]]/[[Parthian Empire|Parthia]]n dynastic Empires who ruled Iran (248 BC-224 AD). There are specific references to the celebration of Nowruz during the reign of [[Vologases I]] (51-78 AD), but these include no details.<ref name="Khodadad"> {{cite web
| last = Rezakhani
| first = Khodadad
| title = Nowruz in History
| url = http://www.iranologie.com/history/nowruz-hist.html
| accessdate = 2008-03-21}}</ref> Before [[Sassanids]] established their power in West Asia around 300 AD, [[Parthians]] celebrated Nowruz in Autumn and 1st of [[Farvardin]] began at the Autumn Equinox. During Parthian dynasty the Spring Festival was [[Mehragan]], a [[Zoroastrian]] and Iranian festival celebrated in honor of [[Mithra]].<ref>John R. Hinnells, "Mithraic studies: proceedings", Edition: illustrated, Published by Manchester University Press ND, 1975, ISBN 0719005361, 9780719005367, Page 307</ref>

Extensive records on the celebration of Nowruz appear following the accession of [[Ardashir I of Persia]], the founder of the [[Sassanid dynasty]] (224-651 AD). Under the Sassanid emperors, Nowruz was celebrated as the most important day of the year. Most royal traditions of Nowruz such as royal audiences with the public, cash gifts, and the pardoning of prisoners, were established during the Sassanian era and persisted unchanged until modern times.

Nowruz, along with [[Sadeh]] (celebrated in mid-winter), survived in society following the introduction of Islam in 650 AD. Other celebrations such [[Gahanbar]] and [[Mehragan]] were eventually side-lined or were only followed by the [[Zoroastrians]], who carried them. There are records of the Four Great Caliphs presiding over Nowruz celebrations, and it was adopted as the main royal holiday during the [[Abbasid]] period.

In his work titled the Nowruznama, [[Omar Khayyam]], a well known [[Persian literature|Persian poet]] and [[Mathematician]] provides a vivid description of the celebration in the courts of the Kings of [[Persia]]<ref>Umar ibn Ibrahim Khayyam ; bih kushish-i ʻAli Ḥuṣuri., "Nowruznamah", Tehran : Nashr-i Chashmah, 1379 [2000]. Original Persian excerpt:آئین ملوک عجم از گاه کی‌خسرو تا به روزگار یزدجرد شهریار که آخرین ملوک عجم بود، چنان بوده است که روز نوروز نخست کس از مردمان بیگانه، موبد موبدان پیش ملک آمدی با جام زرین پر می و انگشتری و درمی و دیناری خسروانی و یک دسته خوید سبز رسته و شمشیری و تیرکمان و دوات و قلم و اسپی و بازی و غلامی خوب‌روی و ستایش نمودی و نیایش کردی او را به زبان پارسی به عبارت ایشان. چون موبد موبدان از آفرین بپرداختی، پس بزرگان دولت آمدندی و خدمت‌ها پیش آوردندی. آن‌چه که موبد موبدان به شاه می‌گوید، : شها، به جشن فروردین به ماه فروردین، به آزادی گزین یزدان و دین کیان، سروش آورد تو را دانائی و بینائی به کاردانی و دی‌زی و با خوی هژیر و شادباش بر تخت زرین و انوشه خور به جام جمشید و رسم نیاکان در همت بلند و نیکوکاری و ورزش داد و راستی نگاه‌دار، سرت سبزباد و جوانی چو خوید، اسپت کامکار و پیروز و تیغت روشن و کاری به دشمن و بازت گیرا و خجسته به درم و دینار، پیشت هنری و دانا گرامی و درم خوار و سرایت آباد و زندگانی بسیار</ref>:
{{cquote|From the era of Keykhosrow till the days of Yazdegard, last of the pre-Islamic kings of [[Persia]], the royal custom was thus: on the first day of the New Year, Now Ruz, the King's first visitor was the High [[Mobad]] of the [[Zoroastrians]], who brought with him as gifts a golden goblet full of wine, a ring, some gold coins, a fistful of green sprigs of wheat, a sword, and a bow. In the language of Persia he would then glorify God and praise the monarch.. This was the address of the High [[Mobad]] to the king : "O [[Shah|Majesty]], on this feast of the [[Equinox]], first day of the first month of the year, seeing that thou hast freely chosen God and the Faith of the Ancient ones; may [[Sraosha|Surush]], the Angel-messenger, grant thee wisdom and insight and sagacity in thy affairs. Live long in praise, be happy and fortunate upon thy golden throne, drink immortality from the Cup of [[Jamshid]]; and keep in solemn trust the customs of our ancestors, their noble aspirations, fair gestures and the exercise of justice and righteousness. May thy soul flourish; may thy youth be as the new-grown grain; may thy horse be puissant, victorious; thy sword bright and deadly against foes; thy hawk swift against its prey; thy every act straight as the arrow's shaft. Go forth from thy rich throne, conquer new lands. Honor the craftsman and the sage in equal degree; disdain the acquisition of wealth. May thy house prosper and thy life be long!"}}

Following the demise of the Caliphate and the subsequent re-emergence of Persian dynasties such as the [[Samanids]] and [[Buyids]], Nowruz was elevated to an even more important event. The Buyids revived the ancient traditions of Sassanian times and restored many smaller celebrations that had been eliminated by the [[Caliphate]]. Even the [[Turkic peoples|Turkic]] and [[Mongol]] invaders did not attempt to abolish Nowruz in favor of any other celebration. Thus, Nowruz remained as the main celebration in the [[Persian people|Persian]] lands by both the officials and the people.

==Local variations==
Today, the festival of Nowruz is celebrated in many countries that were territories of, or influenced by, the [[Persian Empire]]: [[Iran]], Various [[Iranian Peoples]] including [[Newroz as celebrated by Kurds|Kurds]], [[Afghanistan]], parts of the Middle East, as well as in the former Soviet republics of [[Tajikistan]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Kazakhstan]], and [[Kyrgyzstan]]. It is also celebrated by the Zoroastrians as well by certain Iranic inhabitants in [[Pakistan]]'s [[Chitral]] region and [[Northern Areas]]. It is also celebrated by the Iranian immigrants from [[Shiraz]] in [[Zanzibar]].<ref>{{cite news | last =Rostami | first =Hoda | title =Yek Jahan Noruz (meaning: Worldwide Nowruz) |newspaper =Saman (Publication of Iranian National Tax Administration) |issue=23 |date=2007-03-17}}</ref> it is called ''Nevruz'' in [[Turkic language|Turkic]], [[Uyghur people|Uyghur]]s who live in Northwestern China call it "Noruz", and it is called ''Sultan Nevruz'' in [[Albanian language|Albanian]]. In some remote communities located in parts of western Iran, the holiday is referred to as ''Nuroj'', which literally means ''New Day'' in the [[Kurdish language]].

===Nowruz around the world===
Nowruz is celebrated in [[Greater Iran]], [[Caucasus]], [[Central Asia]] and by Iranians worldwide. It is a public holiday in [[Iran]], [[Tajikistan]] <ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/tajikistan/story/2006/03/060320_ag-norouz-pics.shtml BBCPersian.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, [[Afghanistan]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Turkmenistan]] <ref>[http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/03/86AFE190-45DF-4C9D-AF81-3A3158C6D595.html Turkmen President Urges Youth To Read 'Rukhnama']</ref>, [[Uzbekistan]],<ref>[http://www.eurasianet.org/resource/uzbekistan/hypermail/200303/0023.shtml Uzbek President says Hussein must be disarmed]</ref> [[Kashmir]] <ref>[http://www.kashland.com kashland.com]</ref>,
and [[Kyrgyzstan]] <ref>[http://www.payvand.com/news/06/mar/1225.html Norouz in Kyrgyzstan ]</ref>. Also the [[Canada|Canadian]] parliament by unanimous consent, has passed a bill to add Nowruz to the national calendar of Canada, on March 30, 2009.<ref name="PRESSTV">{{Cite web| url =http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=90377&sectionid=3510212 | title = Canada parliament recognizes 'Nowruz Day'| accessdate = 4 April 2009| date = 3 April 2009| publisher = PRESS TV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url =http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Docid=3761904&file=4 | title = BILL C-342| accessdate = 4 April 2009| publisher = House of Commons of Canada}}</ref>

In [[Albania]] ''Sultan Nevruz'' is celebrated as a mainly mystical day by the [[Bektashi]] sect, and there are special ceremonies in the [[Tekke]] led by the clergy and large meals are served there. They celebrate this day as the birthday of [[Ali]]. Also all Albanians celebrate a secular version of Nowruz, called Spring Day. Nowruz is also celebrated by [[Kurdish people|Kurds]] in [[Iraq]]<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4829542.stm In pictures: Norouz - New Year festival]</ref> and [[Turkey]]<ref>[http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=23126 Clashes erupt at Turkey's Dita e Verës. spring festival]</ref> as well as by [[Parsis]] in the [[Indian subcontinent]].

Other notable celebrations take place by [[Iranian people|Iranian]]s around the world, such as [[Los Angeles]], [[Toronto]], [[Cologne]] and in [[United Kingdom]], mainly in [[London]] <ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/arts/story/2006/03/060317_l-7th-norouz-london.shtml BBCPersian.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. But because Los Angeles is prone to devastating fires, there are very strict fire codes in the city. No fires are allowed even on one's own property. Usually, Iranians living in Southern California go to the beaches to celebrate the event where it is permissible to build fires.<ref>[http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/22_folder/22_articles/22_noruz.html Novruz... Celebration That Would Not Die]</ref> On 15 March 2010, [[House of_Representatives of the United States|The United States House of Representatives]] passed ''The Nowruz Resolution'' (H.Res. 267), by a 384-2 vote,<ref>[http://www.niacouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1683&Itemid=2 ''House Passes Historic Norooz (sic) Resolution''], National Iranian American Council, Monday, 15 March 2010.</ref> "Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, ... .".<ref>[http://www.gop.gov/bill/111/1/hres267 Legislative Digest, GOP.gov], H.Res. 267.</ref>

Attempts to suppress Nowruz following the [[Iranian Revolution]] met with very little success.<ref>New York Times, March 20, 2006, Ayatollahs Aside, Iranians Jump for Joy at Spring, by Michael Slackman; Nazila Fathi contributed reporting from Tehran for this article, [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00EFDB1F31F933A15750C0A9609C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all NYtimes.com ]</ref>

In Afghanistan during the reign of the Taliban, Nowruz was banned until 2001 where it came back as popular as it was before the Taliban.<ref>[http://usembassy-israel.org.il/publish/peace/archives/2002/march/032109.html USembassy-Israel.org]</ref>

It is also a holy day for [[Alawites]]<ref name="i-cias.com"/>, [[Alevis]], and adherents of the [[Bahá'í Faith]].<ref name="bahai_calendar"/>

====Countries that have Nowruz as a public holiday====
*{{flagicon|Afghanistan}} [[Afghanistan]] (22 March)<ref>http://www.bank-holidays.com/holidays.php?annee=2010&id_pays=193</ref>
*{{flagicon|Albania}} [[Albania]] (20 March to 23 March, , '''total of 4 days''')<ref>http://www.bank-holidays.com/holidays.php?annee=2010&id_pays=2</ref>
*{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} [[Azerbaijan]] (20 March to 26 March, '''total of 7 days''')<ref>http://www.bank-holidays.com/holidays.php?annee=2010&id_pays=16</ref>
*{{flagicon|Georgia}} [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]<ref>http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=22108</ref>
*{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Iran]] (20 March to 23 March, '''total of 4 days in general'''+ '''total of 13 days for schools and universities''')<ref>http://www.bank-holidays.com/holidays.php?annee=2010&id_pays=85</ref>
*{{flagicon|Iraq}} (regional only in {{flagicon|Kurdistan}} [[Iraqi Kurdistan]]) (21 March)<ref>http://www.bank-holidays.com/holidays.php?annee=2010&id_pays=84</ref>
*{{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} [[Kazakhstan]] (21 March to 24 March, '''total of 4 days''')<ref>http://www.bank-holidays.com/holidays.php?annee=2010&id_pays=92</ref>
*{{flagicon|Kosovo}} [[Kosovo]] (21 March)
*{{flagicon|Kyrgyzstan}} [[Kyrgyzstan]] (21 March)<ref>http://www.bank-holidays.com/holidays.php?annee=2010&id_pays=94</ref>
*{{flagicon|Tajikistan}} [[Tajikistan]] (20 March to 23 March, '''total of 4 days''')<ref>http://www.bank-holidays.com/holidays.php?annee=2010&id_pays=171</ref>
*{{flagicon|Turkmenistan}} [[Turkmenistan]] (20 March to 23 March, '''total of 4 days''')<ref>http://www.bank-holidays.com/holidays.php?annee=2010&id_pays=179</ref>
*{{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} [[Uzbekistan]] (21 March)<ref>http://www.bank-holidays.com/holidays.php?annee=2010&id_pays=129</ref>

===Nowruz celebration in Iran===
[[Image:HaftSeen2.JPG|thumb|right|249px|A Haft sin table in [[Tehran]].]]
Nowruz is the most important holiday in Iran. Preparations for Nowruz begin in the month Esfand (or Espand), the last month of winter in the [[Persian calendar|Persian solar calendar]].

====Spring cleaning and visiting one another ====
<!-- {{main|Khoune Takouni}} -->
{{See|Spring cleaning}}
Spring cleaning, or ''Khouneh Tekouni'' (literally means 'shaking the house') or 'complete cleaning of the house' is commonly performed before Nowruz. Persians (Iranians and Tajiks) and other groups (Kurds, Armenians, Azarbaijanis and Balochs) start preparing for the Nowruz with a major spring-cleaning of their houses, the purchase of new clothes to wear for the new year and the purchase of flowers (in particular the [[hyacinth (plant)|hyacinth]] and the [[tulip]] are popular and conspicuous).

In association with the "rebirth of nature", extensive spring-cleaning is a national tradition observed by almost every household in Iran. This is also extended to personal attire, and it is customary to buy at least one set of new clothes. On the New Year's Day, families dress in their new clothes and start the twelve-day celebrations by visiting the elders of their family, then the rest of their family and finally their friends. On the thirteenth day families leave their homes and picnic outdoors.

During the Nowruz holidays, people are expected to visit one another (mostly limited to families, friends and neighbors) in the form of short house visits, which are usually reciprocated. Typically, on the first day of Nowruz, family members gather around the table, with the ''Haft Seen'' on the table or set next to it, and await the exact moment of the arrival of the spring. At that time gifts are exchanged. Later in the day, the first house visits are paid to the most senior family members. Typically, the youth will visit the elders first, and the elders return their visit later. When in previous year, a family member is deceased, the tradition is to visit that family first (among the elders). The visits naturally have to be relatively short, otherwise one will not be able to visit everybody on their list. A typical visit is around 30 minutes, where you often run into other visiting relatives and friends who happen to be paying a visit to the same house at that time. Because of the house visits, you make sure you have a sufficient supply of pastry, cookies, fresh and dried fruits and special nuts on hand, as you typically serve your visitors with these items with tea or sherbet. Many Iranians will throw large Nowruz parties in a central location as a way of dealing with the long distances between groups of friends and family.

Some Nowruz celebrants believe that whatever a person does on Nowruz will affect the rest of the year. So, if a person is warm and kind to their relatives, friends and neighbors on Nowruz, then the new year will be a good one. On the other hand, if there are fights and disagreements, the year will be a bad one.

It is customary to visit the cemeteries in last Thursday night of the year or in last Friday morning and read the [[Sura]] [[Al-Fatiha]] for the passed members of the family,friends or any other deceased ones in the cemetery.

One tradition that may not be very widespread (that is, it may belong to only a few families){{Citation needed|date=March 2009}} is to place something sweet, such as honey or candy, in a safe place outside overnight. On the first morning of the new year, the first person up brings the sweet stuff into the house as another means of attaining a good new year.

====Chahārshanbe Sūrī====

{{Main|Chaharshanbe Suri}}

[[Image:Chehel-sotoon chahar shanbe suri.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Chehel Sotoun]]'s Wall painting, that dates back to the [[Safavid]] era, depicts a [[Chaharshanbe Suri]] celebration.]]
The night before the last Wednesday of the year is celebrated by the Iranian people as ''Chahârshanbe Sûrî'' ([[Persian language|Persian]]: چهارشنبه سوری Sour means feast, party or festival in [[Persian]]. Among the Yazidis, this festival is celebrated on the first Wednesday of Nisan (April) which marks the first day of their new year (rather than March 21st). It is also called ''Cejna Sersal''(New Year's Feast) [http://www.berbang.org/berbang/carsema_sor.htm Berbang.org]</ref><ref>[http://www.yek-dem.com/IMAGES/R9-79.pdf Yek-dem.com]</ref> چوارشه‌مه‌ سوورێ meaning ''red Wednesday''), the Iranian festival of fire. This festival is the celebration of the light (the good) winning over the darkness (the bad); the symbolism behind the rituals are all rooted back to [[Zoroastrianism]].

The tradition includes people going into the streets and alleys to make bonfires, and jump over them while singing the traditional song ''Zardî-ye man az (ane) to, sorkhî-ye to az (ane) man'' ("az-ane to" means belongs to you); This literally translates to "My yellowness is yours, your redness is mine," with the figurative message "My paleness (pain, sickness) for you (the fire), your strength (health) for me." The fire is believed to burn out all the fear (yellowness) in their subconscious or their spirit, in preparation for new year.

Serving different kinds of pastry and nuts known as '''Ajīl-e Moshkel-Goshā''' (lit. ''problem-solving nuts'') is the ''Chahārshanbe Sūrī'' way of giving thanks for the previous year's health and happiness, while exchanging any remaining paleness and evil for the warmth and vibrancy of the fire.

According to tradition, the living are visited by the spirit of their ancestors on the last days of the year, and many children wrap themselves in shrouds, symbolically re-enacting the visits. They also run through the streets banging on pots and pans with spoons and knocking on doors to ask for treats. The ritual is called qashogh-zany (spoon beating) and symbolizes the beating out of the last unlucky Wednesday of the year ( See also [[Trick-or-treating]]).

There are several other traditions on this night, including: the rituals of ''Kūze Shekastan'', the breaking of earthen jars which symbolically hold one's bad fortune; the ritual of ''[[Fal-Gûsh]]'' (lit.[[Divination]] by ear), or inferring one's future from the conversations of those passing by<ref name="Encyclopædia Iranica DIVINATION">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Omidsalar |first=Mahmoud | title= Divination | encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Iranica | accessdate=2009-04-05|url=http://www.iranica.com/newsite/index.isc?Article=http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/unicode/v7f4/v7f482.html}}</ref>; and the ritual of ''Gereh-goshā’ī'', making a knot in the corner of a handkerchief or garment and asking the first passerby to unravel it in order to remove ones misfortune.

====''Haft Sīn''====
{{Main|Haft-Sin}}
'''Haft Sīn''' (هفت سین) or the seven 'S's is a major tradition of Nowruz. The haft sin table includes seven specific items starting with the letter 'S' or ''Sīn'' (س) in the [[Persian alphabet]]. The items symbolically correspond to seven creations and holy immortals called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amesha_Spenta Amesha Sepanta] protecting them. The seven elements of Life, namely Fire, Earth, Water, Air, Plants, Animals, and Human, are represented. They also have Astrological correlations to five planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Sun and Moon. With the advent of Islam the word Amesha Sepanta shortened to and eventually was remembered by just the letter S and the number 7. The ''Haft Sin'' has evolved over time, but has kept its symbolism. Traditionally, families attempt to set as beautiful a ''Haft Sīn'' table as they can, as it is not only of traditional and spiritual value, but also noticed by visitors during Nowruzi visitations and is a reflection of their good taste.
[[Image:HaftSin-Iran.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Haft-Sin]]

The ''Haft Sīn'' items are:
* ''sabzeh'' - [[wheat]], [[barley]] or [[lentil]] sprouts growing in a dish - symbolizing rebirth
* ''[[samanu]]'' - a sweet pudding made from [[wheat germ]] - symbolizing affluence
* ''senjed'' - the dried fruit of the [[Elaeagnus angustifolia|oleaster]] tree - symbolizing love
* ''sīr'' - [[garlic]] - symbolizing medicine
* ''sīb'' - [[apple]]s - symbolizing beauty and health
* ''somaq'' - [[sumac]] berries - symbolizing (the color of) sunrise
* ''serkeh'' - [[vinegar]] - symbolizing age and patience

Other items on the table may include:
* ''Sonbol'' - [[Hyacinth (plant)]]
* ''Sekkeh'' - [[Coins]] - representative of wealth
* traditional Iranian pastries such as [[Baklava|baghlava]], [[White Mulberry|toot]], naan-nokhodchi
* ''Aajeel'' - dried nuts, berries and raisins
* lit [[candle]]s (enlightenment and happiness)
* a [[mirror]] (symbolizing cleanness and honesty)
* [[Egg decorating|decorated eggs]], sometimes one for each member of the family (fertility)
* a bowl of water with [[goldfish]] (life within life, and the sign of [[Pisces (astrology)|Pisces]] which the sun is leaving). As an essential object of the Nowruz table, this [[goldfish]] is also "very ancient and meaningful" and with Zoroastrian connection.<ref>A. Shahbazi, [http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/unicode/v11f5/v11f5016.html "Haft Sin"]], Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol 11, London, Newyork, 2003.</ref>
* [[rosewater]], believed to have magical cleansing powers
* the [[flag of Iran|national colours]], for a patriotic touch
* a holy book (e.g., the [[Avesta]], [[Qur'an]], [[Bible]], [[Torah]], or [[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]) and/or a poetry book (almost always either the [[Shahnama]] or the Divan of [[Hafez]])

====Haji Firouz====
{{Main|Haji firouz}}
[[File:HajjiFiruz.JPG|thumb|200px|Haji Firuz in [[Tehran]]]]
The traditional herald of the Nowruz season is a man called Hājī Fīrūz (or Khwāja Pīrūz). He symbolizes the rebirth of the [[Sumerian religion|Sumerian]] god of sacrifice, Domuzi, who was killed at the end of each year and reborn at the beginning of the New Year.

He usually uses face paint to make his skin black (black is an ancient Persian symbol of good luck—maybe from their black bird) and wears a red costume. Then he sings and dances through the streets with tambourines and trumpets spreading good cheer and heralds the coming of the New Year. [[Mehrdad Bahar]], Iranologist, suggests in his book that this borrowing of the Domuzi/Tammuz tradition from the ancient non-Iranian civilizations in Mesopotamia happened with the arrival of the Iranian tribes to the western parts of the Iranian Plateau at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. This borrowing, according to Bahar, may be true for the whole Nowruz tradition itself as Indo-Iranian tribes before that did not have this tradition while the civilizations of Mesopotamia did. This later spread to all areas where Iranian culture was present, but was lost by the non-Iranian cultures of Mesopotamia.

====New Year dishes====
* ''[[Sabzi polo|Sabzi Polo]] Mahi'': The New Year's Day traditional meal is called Sabzi Polo Mahi, which is [[rice]] with green herbs served with fish. The traditional seasoning for Sabzi Polo are [[parsley]], [[coriander]], [[chives]], [[dill]] and [[fenugreek]].
* ''Reshteh Polo'': rice cooked with noodles which is said to symbolically help one succeed in life.
* ''[[Dolma|Dolme]] Barg'' : A traditional dish of Azeri people, cooked just before the new year. It includes some vegetables, meat and [[cotyledon]] which have been cooked and embedded in vine leaf and cooked again. It is considered useful in reaching to wishes.
* ''Kookoo sabzi'' : Herbs and vegetable souffle, traditionally served for dinner at New Year. A light and fluffy omelet style made from parsley, dill, coriander, [[spinach]], [[spring onion]] ends, and chives, mixed with eggs and [[walnut]].

====Sizdah Bedar====
{{Main|Sizdah Bedar}}
The thirteenth day of the new year festival is [[Sizdah Bedar]] (literally meaning "passing the thirteenth day", figuratively meaning "Passing the bad luck of the thirteenth day"). This is a day of festivity in the open, often accompanied by music and dancing, usually at family picnics.

''Sizdah bedar'' celebrations stem from the ancient Persians' belief that the twelve constellations in the [[Zodiac]] controlled the months of the year, and each ruled the earth for a thousand years at the end of which the sky and earth collapsed in chaos. Hence Nowruz lasts twelve days and the thirteenth day represents the time of chaos when families put order aside and avoid the bad luck associated with the number thirteen by going outdoors and having picnics and parties.

At the end of the celebrations on this day, the ''sabzeh'' grown for the ''Haft Seen'' (which has symbolically collected all sickness and bad luck) is thrown into running water to exorcise the demons (''divs'') from the household. It is also customary for young single women to tie the leaves of the ''sabzeh'' before discarding it, so expressing a wish to be married before the next year's ''Sizdah Bedar''. Another tradition associated with this day is ''Dorugh-e Sizdah'', literally meaning "the lie of the thirteenth", which is the process of lying to someone and making them believe it (similar to [[April Fools Day]]).

===Nowruz in Afghanistan===
[[Image:Sumalak navruz tajik.jpg|thumb|250px|Cooking [[samanu]] (or ''samanak'') is a Nowruz tradition in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan]]
In [[Afghanistan]], Nowroz festival is traditionally celebrated for 2 weeks. Preparations for Nowroz start several days beforehand, at least after [[Chaharshanbe Suri]], the last Wednesday before the New Year. Among various traditions and customs, the most important ones are:

* '''Haft Mēwa''': In Afghanistan, they prepare ''Haft Mēwa'' (''Seven Fruits'') instead of ''Haft Sin'' which is common in Iran. Haft Mewa is like a [[Fruit salad]] made from 7 different [[Dried fruit]]s, served in their own [[syrup]]. The 7 dried fruits are: [[Raisin]], ''Senjed'' (the dried fruit of the [[Elaeagnus angustifolia|oleaster]] tree), [[Pistachio]], [[Common Hazel|Hazelnut]], [[Prune (fruit)|Prune]] (dry fruit of [[Apricot]]), [[Walnut]] and whether [[Almond]] or another species of [[Plum]] fruit.
* '''[[Samanak]]''': It is a special type of sweet dish made from [[Cereal germ|Wheat germ]]. Women take a special party for it during the night, and cook it from late in the evening till the daylight, singing a special song: ''Samanak dar Josh o mā Kafcha zanem - Degarān dar Khwāb o mā Dafcha zanem''
* '''Mēla-e Gul-e Surkh''' ({{lang-fa|ميله‌ى گل سرخ}}): The Guli Surkh festival which literally means ''Red Flower Festival'' (referring to the red [[Tulip]] flowers) is an old festival celebrated only in [[Mazari Sharif]] during the first 40 days of the year when the Tulip flowers grow. People travel from different parts of the country to Mazar in order to attend the festival. It is celebrated along with the ''Jahenda Bālā'' ceremony which is a specific religious ceremony performed in the holy blue mosque of Mazar that is believed (mostly by [[Sunnite]] Afghans) to be the site of the tomb of [[Ali ibn Abi Talib]], the fourth caliph of Islam. The ceremony is performed by raising a special banner (whose color configuration resembles [[Derafsh Kaviani]]){{fact}} in the blue mosque in the first day of year (i.e. Nowroz). The Guli Surkh party continues with other special activities among people in the [[Tulip]] fields and around the blue mosque for 40 days.
* '''[[Buzkashi]]''': Along with other customs and celebrations, normally a [[Buzkashi]] tournament is held. The Buzkashi matches take place in northern cities of Afghanistan and in Kabul.
* '''Special cuisines''': People cook special types of dishes for Nowroz, especially on the eve of Nowroz. Normally they cook ''Sabzi Chalaw'', a dish made from [[rice]] and [[spinach]], separately. Moreover, the bakeries prepare a special type of [[cookie]], called ''Kulcha-e Nowrozī'', which is only baked for Nowroz. Another dish which is prepared mostly for the Nowroz days is ''Māhī wa Jelabī'' (''Fried Fish and Jelabi'') and it is the most often meal in picnics. In Afghanistan, it is a common custom among the [[Engagement|affianced]] families that the fiancé's family give presents to or prepare special dishes for the fiancée's family on special occasions such as in the two [[Eid]]s, [[Mid-Sha'ban|Barā'at]] and in Nowroz. Hence, the special dish for Nowroz is ''Māhī wa Jelabī''.
* '''Sightseeing to [[Cercis]] fields''': The citizens of [[Kabul]] go to [[Istalif]], [[Charikar]] or other green places around where the [[Cercis]] flowers grow. They go for picnic with their families during the first 2 weeks of New Year.
* '''Jashni Dehqān''': Jashni Dehqan means ''The Festival of Farmers''. It is celebrated in the first day of year, in which the farmers walk in the cities as a sign of encouragement for the agricultural productions. In recent years, this activity is being performed only in Kabul and other major cities, in which the mayor and other high governmental personalities participate for watching and observing.
* '''Kampirak''': Like "Haji Nowruz" he is an old bearded man wearing colorful clothes with a long hat and rosary who symbolizes beneficence and the power of nature yielding the forces of winter. He and his retinue pass village by village distributing gathered charities among people and do his shows like reciting poems. The tradition is observed in central provinces specially [[Bamyan Province|Bamyan]] and [[Daykundi Province|Daykundi]]. <ref>{{cite web | first=Ayub | last=Arvin | title=نوروز و چالش‌های سیاسی و مذهبی در افغانستان | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/afghanistan/2010/03/100321_k02-afg-norouz-challenges.shtml | publisher=BBC Persian | location=London | accessdate=2010-03-23 }}</ref>

====Nowruz celebrations by Pashtuns====
[[Pashtun people|Pashtuns]] celebrate '''Newai Kaal''' ({{lang-ps|نوى كال}}, meaning "new year") on the March equinox, which is considered the first day of spring. The festival of '''Newai Khwazun''' ({{lang-ps|نوى خوځون}}, literally meaning "new movement"), traditionally celebrated by [[Kuchi people|Pashtun nomads]] when they migrate to their summer pastures, also falls on this day.

===Newroz celebration by Kurds===
{{Main|Newroz as celebrated by Kurds}}
[[Image:Newroz Istanbul(4).jpg|thumb|right|250px|"Churshama Kulla" is the tradition where people jump over the fire. It is celebrated as a national emblem in [[Kurdistan]]. In this Picture Kurds in Istanbul celebrate Newroz through coming together and showing their cultural unity.]]
[[File:Zakia Alkan 1.jpg|thumb|250px|A statue of Zakia Alkan, the woman who set herself on fire to protest the Turkish ban on Nowruz, [[Sulaymaniyah]].]]
Although the Kurds celebrate Nowruz, it was not however until 2005 that Kurdish population of Turkey could celebrate their new year openly.<ref>Zaki Chehab, ''Inside the resistance: the Iraqi insurgency and the future of the Middle East'', Published by Nation Books, 2005, ISBN 1560257466, p. 198</ref> "Thousands of people have been detained in Turkey, as the authorities take action against suspected supporters of the Kurdish rebel movement, the PKK.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/300830.stm Turkish police arrest thousands]</ref>. The holiday is now official in Turkey after international pressure on the Turkish government to lift culture bans. Turkish government renamed the holiday ''Nevroz'' in 1995, and reclaimed it as a ''Turkish'' holiday<ref>Marianne Heiberg, Brendan O'Leary, John Tirman. ''Terror, Insurgency, and the State: Ending Protracted Conflicts'', p.&nbsp;337.</ref>.

The word 'Newroz' is [[Kurdish (language)|Kurdish]] for 'Nowruz'. The Kurds celebrate this feast between 18th till 21 March. It is one of the few ‘people's celebrations’ that has survived and predates all the major religious festivals. The holiday is considered by Kurds to be the single most important holiday of every year.

With this [[festival]] Kurds gather into the fairgrounds mostly outside the cities to welcome spring. Women wear colored dresses and spangled head scarves and young men wave flags of green, yellow and red, the colors of the Kurdish people. They hold this festival by lighting fire and dancing around it.<ref>[http://www.marcocavallini.it/kurdish.html Kurdistan turco]</ref>.

The main [[Kurdish language|Kurdish]] greeting that accompanies the festival is ''Newroz pîroz be!'' literally translating to ''Holy Newroz'', or, simply, ''Happy Newroz!''. Another greeting used is, ''Bijî Newroz!'', simply meaning ''Long live Newroz!''

Newroz is still largely considered as a potent symbol of Kurdish identity in Turkey. Newroz celebrations are usually organised by Kurdish cultural associations and pro-Kurdish political parties. Thus, the [[Democratic Society Party]] was a leading force in the organisation of the 2006 Newroz events throughout Turkey. In recent years the Newroz celebration gathers around 1 million participants in [[Diyarbakır]], the biggest city of the Kurdish dominated Southeastern Turkey. As the Kurdish Newroz celebrations in Turkey often are theater for political messages, the events are frequently criticized for being political rallies rather than cultural celebrations.

In other largely populated Kurdish regions in the Middle East including Iraq and Syria, similar celebrations are carried out with fire, dancing and music. In Iran, it is the most important festival of the whole year.

In [[Kurdistan]], jumping over the fire (known as Chuwarshama Kulla) happens on New Year's Eve (rather the last Tuesday of the year).

===Novruz in Azerbaijan===
[[File:1996 Novruz bayram.jpg|thumb|150px|A 1996 Azerbaijani postage stamp issued for Novruz.]]
Preparations for Novruz start long before the holiday. People do house cleaning, plant trees, make new dresses, paint eggs, make national pastries such as [[shakarbura]], [[pakhlava]] and a great variety of "national cuisine". Wheat is fried with kishmish ([[raisins]]) and [[nuts]] (govurga). It is essential for every house to have [[Samanu|Samani (Samanu)]] - sprouts of wheat. As a tribute to fire-worshiping every Tuesday during four weeks before the holiday kids jump over small bonfires and candles are lit. On the holiday eve the graves of relatives are visited and tended.<ref>[http://www.everyculture.com/A-Bo/Azerbaijan.html Azerbaijani traditions]</ref>

Novruz is a family holiday. In the evening before the holiday the whole family gathers around the holiday table laid with various dishes to make the New Year rich. The holiday goes on for several days and ends with festive public dancing and other entertainment of folk bands, contests of national sports. In rural areas crop holidays are marked.<ref>[http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/sites/arts/3559.php Studentsoftheworld - Azeri Traditions]</ref>

===Nowruz in the Zoroastrian faith===
Zoroastrians worldwide celebrate Nowruz as the first day of the [[New Year]]. [[Parsi people|Parsi]] Zoroastrians of South Asian origin celebrate it as "Nowroj", "Navroz", or "Navroj" on the fixed day of March 21, while Zoroastrians of Iranian background generally celebrate, like other Iranians, on the actual Spring Equinox date. Because different Zoroastrian communities in India/Pakistan and Iran have evolved slightly different calendar systems, there is some variance. Adherents of the ''Fasli'' variant of the [[Zoroastrian calendar]] celebrate Nowruz in March, but today, most other Zoroastrians also celebrate on this day.

Other variants of the [[Zoroastrian calendar]] celebrate the Nowruz twice: once as ''[[Jamshid|Jamshedi]] Nowruz'' on March 21 as the start of spring, and a second Nowruz, in July/August (see [[Zoroastrian calendar#Variations|Variations of the Zoroastrian calendar]]), as either New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. That the second Nowruz is celebrated after the last day of the year, known as [[Pateti]], which comes after a [[Muktad]] period of days remembering the dead. Many Parsis are confused by this, and mistakenly celebrate Pateti as if it were Nowruz, when in fact Nowruz is the day after. Some attribute this confusion by some as celebrating the last day of the year (contrary to what might be expected from a term that means "new day"), may be due to the fact that in ancient Persia the day began at sunset, while in later Persian belief the day began at sunrise.

Zoroastrians of Iranian origin generally put up a Haft Sin table as do other Iranians. Zoroastrians of Parsi (South Asian) origin do not traditionally use a Haft Sin. They set up a standard "sesh" tray- generally a silver tray, with a container of rose water, a container with betel nut, raw rice, raw sugar, flowers, a picture of Zarathustra the prophet, and either a floating wick in a glass filled with water topped with oil for fuel, or an "afargania", a silver urn with a small fire nourished by sandalwood and other fragrant resins.

===Nowruz in the Twelver Shi’a faith===

Along with Ismaili’s, Alawites and Alevis, the [[Twelver]] Shi’a also hold the day of Nowruz in high regard. The day upon which Nowruz falls has been recommended as a day of fasting for Twelver Shi’a Muslims by Shi’a scholars, including [[Abul-Qassim al-Khoei]], Imam [[Khomeini]]<ref>[[Tahrir al Wasila]], by Ayatollah Khomeini, Vol.1, pg.302-303</ref> and [[Ali al-Sistani]].<ref>[[Islamic Laws]], by Ali al-Sistani, under the section; “Mustahab Fasts”</ref>. The day also assumes special significance for Shias as it was on 21 March 656 AD when the first Imam Hazrat Ali assumed the office of Caliphate.

===Naw-Rúz in the Bahá'í Faith===
{{Main|Bahá'í Naw-Rúz}}
Naw-Rúz in the [[Bahá'í Faith]] is one of nine [[Bahá'í calendar#Holy Days|holy days]] for adherents of the Bahá'í Faith worldwide and the first day of the [[Bahá'í calendar]] occurring on the vernal equinox, around March 21.<ref name="walbridge">{{cite web | title = Naw-Ruz: The Bahá'í New Year | first = John | last = Walbridge | date = 2004-07-11 | url = http://bahai-library.com/index.php5?file=walbridge_encyclopedia_nawruz | accessdate = 2007-03-14}}</ref> The Bahá'í calendar is composed of 19 months, each of 19 days,<ref name="bne">{{cite book |author= Esslemont, J.E. |year= 1980 |title= Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era |edition= 5th |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |isbn= 0877431604 |url= http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/je/BNE/ | pages = 178–179}}</ref> and each of the months is named after an attribute of God; similarly each of the nineteen days in the month also are named after an attribute of God.<ref name="bne" /> The first day and the first month were given the attribute of [[Bahá'í symbols#Bahá’|Bahá]], an [[Arabic language|Arabic]] word meaning splendour or glory, and thus the first day of the year was the day of Bahá in the month of Bahá.<ref name="walbridge" /><ref name="lehman">{{cite web | first = Dale E. | last = Lehman | date = 2000-03-18 | accessdate = 2007-03-14 | title = A New Year Begins | publisher = Planet Bahá'í| url = http://www.planetbahai.org/cgi-bin/articles.pl?article=46}}</ref> [[Bahá'u'lláh]], the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, explained that Naw-Rúz was associated with the ''Most Great Name'' of God,<ref name="walbridge" /><ref name="lehman" /> and was instituted as a festival for those who observed the [[Nineteen day fast]].<ref name="prayers">{{cite book | title = Bahá'í Prayers | publisher = Bahá'í Publishing Trust | location = Wilmitte, IL | year = 1991 | pages = 261 | author = Bahá'u'lláh}}</ref><ref name="aqdas">{{cite book |author = Bahá'u'lláh |origyear = 1873 |year = 1992 |title = The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book |publisher = Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location = Wilmette, Illinois, USA |isbn = 0853989990 |url = http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KA/ka-4.html.iso8859-1#pg25 | pages = 25}}</ref>

The day is also used to symbolize the renewal of time in each religious dispensation.<ref name="iranica">{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia= Encyclopædia Iranica |year= 1989 |article=Bahai Calendar and Festivals | first = Dennis | last = MacEoin}}</ref> [[`Abdu'l-Bahá]], Bahá'u'lláh's son and successor, explained that significance of Naw-Rúz in terms of [[spring (season)|spring]] and the new life it brings.<ref name="walbridge" /> He explained that the equinox is a symbol of the [[Manifestation of God|messengers of God]] and the message that they proclaim is like a spiritual springtime, and that Naw-Rúz is used to commemorate it.<ref>{{cite journal | title = Star of the West | volume = 4 | pages = 4 | author = `Abdu'l-Bahá | date = 1913-03-21 | unused_data = |number 1}} republished in {{cite book |first = Shoghi |last = Effendi |coauthors = The Universal House of Justice |editor = Hornby, Helen (Ed.) |year = 1983 |title = Lights of Guidance: A Bahá'í Reference File |publisher = Bahá'í Publishing Trust, New Delhi, India |isbn = 8185091463 |url = http://bahai-library.com/?file=hornby_lights_guidance}}</ref>

As with all Bahá'í holy days, there are few fixed rules for observing Naw-Rúz, and Bahá'ís all over the world celebrate it as a festive day, according to local custom.<ref name="walbridge" /> Persian Bahá'ís still observe many of the Iranian customs associated with Nowruz such as the [[#Haft Sîn|Haft Sîn]], but American Bahá'í communities, for example, may have a [[potluck dinner]], along with prayers and readings from [[Bahá'í literature|Bahá'í scripture]].

===Navroz celebration by Parsis===
In the ''Fasli''/''Bastani'' variant of the Zoroastrian calendar, Navroz is always the day of the [[vernal equinox]] (nominally falling on March 21). In the ''Shahenshahi'' and ''Kadmi'' calendars, which do not account for leap years, the New Year's Day has drifted ahead by over 200 days. These latter two variants of the calendar, which are only followed by the Zoroastrians of India, celebrate the spring equinox as ''Jamshed-i Nouroz'', with New Year's Day then being celebrated in July&ndash;August as [[Pateti]] "(day) of penitence" (from ''patet'' "confession," hence also repentance and penitence).

===Navreh celebration by Kashmiri Pandits===
The Kashmiri Pandits celebrate Navroz (or Navreh in Kashmiri) on a date around the [[vernal equinox]]. Similar to the Jewish [[Purim]], the Kashmiri Navreh does not coincide exactly with Nowruz. The date, which usually falls between mid-March and mid-April, is determined by the Hindu [[lunar]] calendar every year.

''Thal Bharun'' (meaning 'filling the platter') is a major [[Kashmiri Pandit]] Navroz tradition. The items placed on the tray or platter generally include [[rice]] or [[wheat]], a sweet [[pudding]] made from milk and cereal, fruits, walnuts,[[rosewater]], a [[coin]] (''Sikkeh''), a pen, an ink-holder, a [[mirror]] (for introspection, purity of thought and honesty), and a lit [[diya]] or clay lamp (representing ''satyaprakasa'', the Light of the Truth). Besides, new clothes are worn and presents are exchanged. Some adults, particularly women, fast on this day.

===Novruz celebration in China===

[[File:ChinaSalarNovruz.JPG|right|200px|thumb|[[Salar]] people in [[China]] celebrating [[Nowruz]]<ref>[http://steppes.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=board01&thread=1030&page=1], 2010.</ref>]]

Traditionally, "Nawriz" was celebrated mainly in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region by the Uyghur, [[Chinese Tajik]] and Kazakh ethnicities. However, in recent years, the authorities have put tight restrictions on Nawriz celebrations in major Uyghur cities, while promoted the [[Chinese New Year]] as a major holiday in the traditionally Turkic and Muslim province. However, in 2010, many Chinese citizens in other provinces of China responded to the UN's promotion of Nowruz as an international day of cultural heritage, by promoting Spring Equinox both as a revival of the traditional ethnic Han [[Qingmiao Festival]] (Day of Green Sprouts) and the "International Day of Friendship and Peace". The ethnic [[Salars]] of Qinghai also celebrated on March 21, 2010 their first "Novruz" in modern times, as a revived [[Turkmen]] holiday. Thus, 2010 can be seen as the first year of revival of Nowruz or [[Qingmiao Festival]] in the Chinese provinces outside of Xinjiang.

==Spelling variations in English==
A variety of spelling variations for the word "nowruz" exist in English-language usage. Random House (unabridged) provides the spelling "nowruz".<ref>Random House dictionary (unabridged), 2006 (according to [http://dictionary.reference.com Dictionary.reference.com]).</ref>
[[Merriam-Webster]] (2006) recognizes only the spelling "nauruz" (and a contestant in the final session of the 2006 [[Scripps National Spelling Bee]], Allion Salvador, in the [[United States]] was disqualified on that basis<ref>[http://www.spellingbee.com/06bee/rounds/Round08.htm 2006 Scripps National Spelling Bee May 31 - June 1, 2006]</ref><ref>[http://www.iranian.com/BruceBahmani/2006/June/Spelling/index.html Spelling BEESAVAD]</ref>).
In the USA, many respected figures in the field of language such as Dr. Yarshater at Columbia University have suggested to use ''Nowruz'' {{Citation needed|date=March 2009}}.

==See also==
*[[Assyrian new year]]
*[[Earth Day]]
*[[Iranian calendar]]
*[[Iranian festivals]]
*[[New Year's Day]]
*[[Nowruz Eve among Mazandarani people]]
*[[Public holidays in Iran]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commonscat|Nowruz}}
{{portalpar|Holidays|Calendar icon.svg}}
* [http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/ga10916.doc.htm UN Recognizes Nowruz as an International day]
* [http://en.tarikhema.ir/category/ancient/ancient-iran Ancient Iran History] @ [http://en.tarikhema.ir/category/ancient/ancient-iran/nowruz Noruz]
* [http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/customcounter.html?month=3&day=20&year=2009&hour=15&min=13&sec=39&p0=246 Countdown to Nowruz (2009/1388) - timeanddate.com] ([[Iran Standard Time|IRST time]]) - <small>[http://timeanddate.com/s/13ra UTC time]</small>
* [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9056297?query=No-ruz&ct= Noruz] @ [[Encyclopedia Britannica]]
* [http://www.7seen.com/ شمارش معکوس تا تحويل سال 1389 شمسي (Persian)]
{{Nowruz}}
{{Zoroastrian Calendar}}

[[Category:Iranian culture]]
[[Category:Festivals in Iran]]
[[Category:Afghan holidays]]
[[Category:March observances]]
[[Category:New Year celebrations]]
[[Category:Spring holidays]]
[[Category:Persian culture]]
[[Category:Zoroastrian festivals]]
[[Category:Festivals in Pakistan]]

{{Link FA|fa}}

[[ar:نوروز]]
[[az:Novruz]]
[[ba:Нәүрүз]]
[[cs:Nourúz]]
[[da:Nowruz]]
[[de:Nouruz]]
[[es:Noruz]]
[[eo:Novruzo]]
[[eu:Noruz]]
[[fa:نوروز]]
[[fr:Norouz]]
[[glk:عيد نؤروز]]
[[hi:नौरोज़]]
[[hr:Nowruz]]
[[id:Norouz]]
[[os:Новруз]]
[[it:Nawruz]]
[[he:נורוז]]
[[ka:ნავრუზი]]
[[kk:Наурыз мейрамы]]
[[ku:Newroz]]
[[hu:Perzsa újév]]
[[mzn:نوروز]]
[[ms:Nowruz]]
[[nl:Noroez]]
[[ja:ノウルーズ]]
[[no:Norouz]]
[[nn:Nauroz]]
[[uz:Navroʻz]]
[[pl:Nouruz]]
[[pt:Noruz]]
[[crh:Navrez]]
[[ru:Новруз]]
[[simple:Navruz]]
[[sl:Nauruz]]
[[ckb:نەورۆز]]
[[sv:Nouruz]]
[[tt:Нәүрүз]]
[[tg:Наврӯз]]
[[tr:Nevruz Bayramı]]
[[uk:Наврез]]
[[diq:Newroz]]

Revision as of 12:57, 24 March 2010

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