A Basic Guide to Celebrating Persian New Year!
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For those who are interested in learning about the ancient Persian New Year celebration, this post is a simple and brief step by step guide on how to prepare for Norooz from before, during and after the Sal-e Tahvil (Vernal Equinox).
Events leading up to Nowruz:
Events leading up to Nowruz:
- Khaneh Tekani: Cleaning your house from top to bottom, to renew and revive your home in time for the Nowruz celebrations. When to start your khane tekani depends on what you plan to do. It may take several hours or several days depending on the number of rooms, how thorough you want to clean and how much time you have.
- Growing Sabzeh: The best time to grow your seeds is about two weeks before Nowruz. It takes about two weeks to have a beautiful sabzeh. It may not turn out to be a tall sabzeh but it will have a better chance of lasting longer until sizdah bedar. However, if you prefer a long sabzeh on your haft-seen table start your seed germination a few days earlier.
- Making Samanoo: Samanoo (wheat pudding)
- Chahar Shanbeh Suri: Chahar shanbeh suri is celebrated on the eve of the last Tuesday of the year, where small bonfires are made and people jump over the fire while singing, "Zardi-e man az to, Sorkhi-e to az man" (my sickness and problems are all yours and your warmth and energy is mine).
- Buying New Clothes: Buying new clothes and shoes for the children are part of the Nowruz tradition.
- Eidi: Remember to set aside eidi for the children. They usually receive gifts or a small sum of money from their parents and close relatives such as grandparents, aunts and uncles.
- Sofreh Haft-Seen: Gather everything you'll need for your haft-seen spread, including the seven items that start with the letter seen (S) in Persian, Spring flowers (Hyacinth, tulips), mirror, candle, goldfish, sweets and ajil (mixed nuts).
Sal-Tahvil
- Gathering around the Haft-Seen Table: At the exact time of the vernal equinox, gather around your beautiful haft seen table with your children in their new outfits and celebrate the arrival of the new year and the rejuvenation of nature.
- Nowruz Lunch or Dinner: The traditional Nowruz menu includes sabzi polow mahi, sabzi polow, mahi, kookoo/kuku sabzi, reshteh polow.
After the Sal-Tahvil
- Did o Bazdid: During the 13 days of Nowruz celebration it is customary to visit your close family members and relatives starting with the eldest and the closest and they too visit you back in your home. Have your fruit platter, ajil, sweets and freshly brewed tea ready!
- Sizdah Bedar: Spending a day outdoors on the 13th day of Farvardin (the first month of the Iranian solar calendar) with family and friends to get rid of bad luck.
Somagh
Sonbol
