Nowruz, نوروز (also spelled Noe-Rooz, Norooz, or Nawroz), meaning “new day” in Persian, is the ancient festival marking both the arrival of spring and the Persian New Year.
Celebrated precisely at the moment of the Spring Equinox, when day and night are of equal length, Nowruz has endured for millennia as a symbol of renewal.
Unlike many other new year celebrations, Nowruz is a cultural festival with no religious ties, making it a unifying tradition embraced by diverse communities across the Iranian cultural sphere and beyond.
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Nowruz – A Celebration Rooted in Ancient History
The origins of Nowruz stretch back thousands of years, predating even the Achaemenid Empire (549–330 BCE). Its roots are closely linked to Zoroastrianism, where the transition from winter to spring represented the triumph of light over darkness and nature’s rebirth.
Ancient Iranians recognised two main seasons:
- Zayana (Winter)
- Hama (Summer)
The arrival of Hama was greeted with the jubilant celebrations of Nowruz.
Today, while Nowruz has transcended its religious origins, its connection to light, nature, and rebirth still lies at the heart of the festivities.
The Legend of King Jamshid in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh
One of the earliest literary mentions of Nowruz appears in the Shahnameh (The Book of Kings) by Ferdowsi, completed in the early 11th century. In this Persian epic, Nowruz is attributed to King Jamshid, a legendary monarch who introduced the festival to celebrate prosperity and renewal.
A verse from Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh describes Jamshid’s proclamation:
Below is the original Persian text along with the English translation by Arthur George Warner and Edmond Warner between 1905 and 1925
When Jamshid rose in splendour on his throne,
The world obeyed his sceptre and his word;
He brought new grace and glory to the realm,
And held the land in peace by justice’ sword.
Upon the day he set him on the throne,
High o’er the heads of all, a marvel bright,
Men stood amazed at fortune’s shining hour,
And named that day the New Day in his sight.
He said,
“Let all men call this day Now-Ruz,
Since on this day the Sun renewed its fire,
And cast its beams on all with gracious light,
Reviving earth and every soul’s desire.”
Thus from that time men kept the joyous feast
— The turning of the Sun —
his triumph’s sign.
They decked the land with revel and with song,
And poured the wine as spirits rose divine.
چو جمشید بر تخت شد کی به ماه
به فرِّ کیانی و فرّهٔ خدای
جهان انجمن شد بر تخت او
شگفتی فرو ماند از بخت او
به جمشید بر گوهر افشاندند
مران روز را روزِ نو خواندند
سرِ سالِ نو هرمز فرودین
برآسوده از رنج، روی زمین
بزرگان به شادی بیاراستند
می و جام و رامشگران خواستند
چنین روزِ فرخ از آن روزگار
بمانده از آن خسروان یادگار
This poetic moment established Nowruz as a festival tied to cosmic order, rebirth, and the ideals of just rulership.
Symbols of Nowruz in Persian Culture
A striking representation of Nowruz is the image of the lion and the bull carved on the staircases of the ancient city of Persepolis.
Apadana, Persepolis.
( Photo by S. Mahmoudi )
- The lion represents the sun and strength.
- The bull embodies the earth and abundance.
Their eternal struggle reflects the sun’s return to the earth at the time of Nowruz.
During the Sassanid era (224–652 CE), Nowruz celebrations were marked by kings wearing new garments, receiving symbolic gifts like myrtle, wine, and gold coins, and performing ceremonies that reflected justice and prosperity. Pardoning prisoners and giving gifts to the public reinforced Nowruz’s message of renewal and generosity.
Pre-Nowruz Preparations
Khaneh Tekani
In the month leading up to Nowruz, families engage in Khaneh Tekani—a thorough spring cleaning of their homes. New clothes and shoes are bought, readying the household for the New Year.
This practice is linked to the belief that the Far’vahar, a guardian spirit, visits between 15–24 March to ensure the home is filled with virtue and happiness.
Haji Firooz: The Joyful Herald
A beloved figure of Nowruz is Haji Firooz, a character clad in red with a blackened face, who dances and sings in the streets, spreading cheer.
His roots are believed to stem from Sumerian mythology, symbolising the annual rebirth of Domuzi, the god of sacrifice.
Today, Haji Firooz brings laughter and excitement to the streets as he announces the arrival of spring.
Chaharshanbe Suri: The Fire Festival
On the eve of the last Wednesday of the year, families gather to celebrate Chaharshanbe Suri, leaping over bonfires while chanting:
Sorkhi-e to az man, zardi-e man az to!
(Give me your vibrant red hue, and take back my sickly yellow pallor!)
This vibrant ritual symbolises purification, releasing illness and bad luck into the flames while welcoming health and vitality.
Other customs include:
- Qashogh-zani: Where Children disguised as spirits knock on doors for treats (similar to Halloween).
- Koozeh Shekastan: Breaking an earthen jar to rid oneself of misfortune.
- Fal-goosh: An ancient form of fortune-telling based on overheard conversations.
The Haft-Seen Table: An Icon of Renewal
At the centre of Nowruz festivities is the Haft-Seen Table, featuring seven (Haft) items beginning with the Persian letter Seen (S):
( Photo by K. Kianush )
- Sabzeh: Sprouted wheat or lentils, for rebirth
- Samanu: Sweet wheat pudding, for strength and affluence
- Senjed: Dried oleaster fruit, for love
- Seer: Garlic, for medicine and protection
- Seeb: Apples, for beauty and health
- Somaq: Sumac berries, for sunrise and the victory of light
- Serkeh: Vinegar, for patience and wisdom
Additional items often include:
- A mirror (self-reflection)
- Candles (light and enlightenment)
- Painted eggs (fertility)
- goldfish in a bowl (life)
- An orange in water (symbolising the earth)
- Coins (abundance)
- Fresh flowers like hyacinths, tulips, and narcissus (nature’s awakening)
- A revered book, such as the Shahnameh or Divan of Hafez, representing wisdom and renewal.
Literary Traditions: Fal-e Hafez
During Nowruz, families often perform Fal-e Hafez, opening the Divan of Hafez at random to seek guidance for the year ahead.
For example:
All the secrets of the world cannot fit into one moment,
He who has not traveled within, cannot understand the journey.
همه اسرار دنیا در دل یک لحظه نیست
آنکه در این فضا به سیر و سلوک نرسید
The works of Saadi, especially from Golestan and Bustan, are also recited, reminding readers of morality, virtue, and nature’s rebirth.
From Golestan (Preface)
The morning breeze has come with the scent of Nowruz,
Bringing fortune to friends and triumph to fate.
May this year and every year be blessed for you,
May this day and every day be joyous for you.
بر آمد باد صبح و بوی نوروز
به کام دوستان و بخت پیروز
مبارک بادت این سال و همه سال
همایون بادت این روز و همه روز
From Bustan (On Spring )
The world is filled with the scent of wild jasmine,
Spring has come, the delightful spring.
The earth has bloomed like a garden full of greens,
The sky illuminated with festive lights and scenes.
جهان پر شد ز عطر نسرین
بهار آمد بهارِ دلنشین
زمین شد پر ز سبزه همچو باغ
هوا پر شد ز غوغای چراغ
Traditional Nowruz Cuisine
Festive dishes enjoyed during Nowruz include:
- Sabzi Polo Mahi – Herb rice with fish, symbolising renewal
- Reshteh Polo – Noodle rice, representing success in life’s journey
- Kookoo Sabzi – Herb omelette, reflecting prosperity
These dishes not only nourish but carry layers of meaning tied to growth and fortune.
Sezdah Bedar: A Farewell to Nowruz
The final celebration occurs on the 13th day of Nowruz, known as Sezdah Bedar, when families picnic outdoors to ward off misfortune. The Sabzeh from the Haft-Seen table is cast into running water, symbolising the release of sickness and bad luck.
Unmarried girls also tie the leaves of the Sabzeh while making wishes for marriage in the coming year.
( Photo by N. Kasraian )
The Enduring Spirit of Nowruz
Despite historical upheavals, including wars and foreign occupations, the Iranian people have preserved the essence of Nowruz for thousands of years. Today, it remains a cornerstone of Iranian culture, celebrated with joy and hope by millions worldwide.
Nowruz is not just a Persian celebration; it is a testament to humanity’s deep-rooted connection with nature and the universal desire for renewal. This festival transcends political and religious boundaries, uniting people from diverse backgrounds in a shared celebration of life, growth, and the changing seasons. It is a time when differences dissolve, and the common human experience of joy and hope takes centre stage.
At its heart, Nowruz reminds us that no matter where we come from, we all share the desire for fresh beginnings, peace, and prosperity. It is a timeless festival that continues to inspire and unite people across generations and geographies.
Nowruz: Exact times around the globe
Nowruz 2025 begins on Thursday March 20th
| Tehran Iran | 12:31 pm |
| London, UK | 9:01 am |
| Paris, France | 10:01 am |
| New York, USA | 5:01 am |
| San Francisco, USA | 2:01 am |
| Tokyo, Japan | 6.01 pm |
| Sydney, Australia | 8.01 pm |
As we celebrate Nowruz and the arrival of Spring, the joyful spirit of Mahmud Kianush’s poetry continues to blossom in the hearts of young Iranians. His legacy, rooted in the renewal and hope that define this season, lives on through timeless verses like “One Flower, Ten Flowers, Hundreds of Flowers.” This beloved poem, often sung by children during Nowruz, reminds us of the enduring power of poetry to unite generations in celebration of life’s beauty and new beginnings.
Watch below as children welcome Nowruz with Kianush’s cherished poem:
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