What Is Norouz?

Norouz (alternative spellings: Norooz, Noruz, Nowrouz, ...) [from Persian no=new + rooz=day meaning "new day"] is the traditional Iranian festival of the New Year which starts at the exact moment of the vernal equinox, commencing the start of the spring. Iranians take that as the beginning of the year. Norouz 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 religion. Today the festival of Norouz is not only celebrated in Iran, but also in many lands that historically have been within the Persian sphere of cultural influence (i.e., lands which have been main parts of the pre-islamic Persia.)

The Haft Sin TableOn the first day of Norouz, Iranian families gather around the Haft Sin, or “Seven S’s” table. Families take pride in the beautiful arrangement of seven items that start with the sound of S in Persian. They symbolize the hopes for a successful and happy new year.

The first day of spring is the beginning of our new year. We celebrate our new year that we call it NOROUZ in Persian (Farsi) N0 is equal to New and Rouz has the same meaning as Day. So, Norouz means new day or New Year. In Iran, when it is about our new year most of people will buy new things such as clothes, home devices and they begin to clean their houses. From ancient times we arrange seven elements begin with sound “s” in Persian. These seven elements are Sabze(grass),Somaq(sumaqberries),Serke(vinegar),Sir(garlic),Seke(coin),Sib(apple), Senjed(Dried fruit of the oleaster tree) and Sonbol(Hyacinth flower ).but it’s really up to us to put witch of these on our tablecloth. For example all of us buy goldfish for good luck and eggs and then design them by candles or mirrors. Also most of us (Muslims) put Quran as the unchangeable element next to the mirror. Each of the elements has special meaning. Here I put a short description of them.
Senjed :(love)
Sir: (protection from illness and evil
Serkeh: (longevity and patience)
Sekkeh: (prosperity)
Sabzeh: (abundance)
Sib: (beauty and health)
Somaq: (a new dawn)
Sonbol:(blossoming spring)