What we can learn in 2024 from the ancient celebration of Nowruz, dating back 3,500 years
The principles of this age-old celebration, which include taking a yearly inventory and reestablishing a connection with nature during a vulnerable period, are not becoming less significant.
With roots in the erstwhile Persian Empire, millions of people worldwide are celebrating Nowruz, an annual 13-day event that heralds the arrival of spring.
Once spanning from Egypt and the Balkan Peninsula in the west to Afghanistan and Pakistan in the east, Persia—anchored in modern-day Iran—left behind an enduring cultural legacy that includes this colourful celebration. Despite the fact that Nowruz is 3,500 years old, its adherents think that its teachings—such as making an annual reset, appreciating family, and spending time in nature during a vulnerable period—are more relevant than ever.
Originally a Zoroastrian holiday, Nowruz was observed by followers of the ancient monotheistic religion that was established by the prophet Zoroaster in 500 BCE. The rulers of all the subject nations were called to present presents and pay respects to the monarch at Persepolis, whose ruins are still visible in the Iranian city of Shiraz, during the Persian Empire's reign (c. 559–331) on the occasion of Nowruz. The monarchs were able to demonstrate to their forefathers that they were doing well, which is still a significant part of the celebration.
For centuries, Zoroastrianism served as the recognised state religion of the Persian Empire. However, it was eventually replaced by Islam following the Arab conquest in approximately 632 CE. However, Nowruz was firmly established and continued to exist even during the Islamic era. Over time, it changed into a secular holiday that was observed by people of all faiths, including Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Today, groups of people living in North America, Europe, and other parts of the world celebrate Nowruz, including diaspora populations in these regions as well as Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and other formerly Persian-influenced nations.
Getty Images/Vera Chitaeva In the weeks leading up to Nowruz, people sprout wheat and lentils to mimic the shoots and buds that emerge outside. (Source: Getty Images/Vera Chitaeva)Getty Images/Vera Chitaeva
In the weeks leading up to Nowruz, people sprout wheat and lentils to mimic the shoots and buds that emerge outside. (Source: Getty Images/Vera Chitaeva)
Nowruz has become accepted in the Western mainstream as these customs have grown. Disney published a Nowruz explanation animation with Mickey Mouse last year. Nowruz food stories and recipes may be found on a regular basis in major American periodicals. And this year, Berlin, Paris, and London will host Nowruz celebrations for the travelling dance party Disco Tehran, which is fueled by its success in Los Angeles and New York.
At the exact moment of the spring equinox, when the sun crosses the equator on its way north, Nowruz, which means "new day" in Persian, begins. This year, it begins in Tehran at 06:36 on March 20, in London at 03:06, and in New York at 23:06 on March 19.
Everywhere in the world, there are distinct Nowruz customs. Mewa is a dessert consumed in Afghanistan that consists of seven types of dried fruits and nuts steeped in syrup. Before the clock strikes the new year, containers are positioned throughout the house and filled with water in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, Afghans who ride horses participate in buzkashi, a national sport that is akin to polo but uses a goat's body in place of a ball.
It is the link that binds all Iranians together, more than merely a celebration of the new year.
Nowruz's ongoing popularity, according to Haleh Esfandiari, founding head of the Middle East Programme at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington, DC, is due to its friendly and inclusive attitude. Because it is a national, rather than a religious, holiday, it is more than just a celebration of the new year; it acts as the thread that unites all Iranians. Nowruz is celebrated by Iranians of many faiths, ethnicities, and tribes, she noted.
Kerem Nima/Getty Images An essential component of the Nowruz celebrations is fire and pyrotechnics. (Photo credit: Getty Images/Nima Karimi)Kerem Nima/Getty Images
An essential component of the Nowruz celebrations is fire and pyrotechnics. (Photo credit: Getty Images/Nima Karimi)
Nowruz is a symbol of rebirth and fresh starts. Though the Nowruz celebration falls on the equinox, planning starts weeks in advance. Having a clean house and a clear conscience are essential for starting the new year off right.Where is Nowruz celebrated?
Cities with sizable Persian populations in Iran and the diaspora, such as Dubai, Toronto, London, New York, and Los Angeles, offer opportunities for commemorating and educating oneself on the occasion. As an illustration:
Starting on March 22, Disco Tehran will host dance events in Berlin, New York, Los Angeles, London, and Paris.
On March 17, take the family to Parramatta, Sydney, for a day of Nowruz celebrations.
Lauderdale House in London is holding a month-long Nowruz event that includes discussions, music, and displays.
The first step is to thoroughly clean the house; this is known as khoone takoone, or "shaking the house" in Persian. It's also crucial to settle unresolved grievances by giving the offended party ajeel, a concoction of nuts and dried fruit. It is traditional to sprout wheat and lentils in the weeks before, in line with the shoots and buds that emerge outdoors. Then, on the Wednesday before Nowruz, everyone jumps over a bonfire—grandparents included. This is to get rid of anything negative from the previous year.
With its positive theme of fresh starts, Nowruz provides a great chance to rejuvenate. Yasmin Khan, a British presenter and cookbook author whose mother is Iranian, views it as the beginning of a new year. "I gain a lot of strength from the rituals and symbolism of the spring cleaning, the growing of the sprouts, jumping over fires," she stated. "They give me a sense of grounding, connecting me to my ancestral culture and also to the seasons and the elements."
On Nowruz, families honour one another and their ancestors as well as the living by getting together for meals and visits. The social connection is the most significant aspect of Nowruz, according to Iranian-Canadian filmmaker Anna Fahr. This is particularly true in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversations are enjoyable for me. It's a good excuse to get back in touch with my family," she remarked. "We do an online fire jump with pals who live elsewhere. Each of us will light a candle in our flat, and we'll all jump over it together. It's largely about getting together as a community. Getting together with friends and relatives."
It's traditional to pack a picnic, head into the countryside on the last day of Nowruz, and throw the wheat and lentil sprouts into flowing water to mark the end of the previous year. After a long winter, it's a day to spend outdoors enjoying nature. Nowruz serves as a reminder of our symbiotic link with the natural world, according to Persis Karim, head of the Centre for Iranian Diaspora Studies at San Francisco State University. "The transition of the seasons at the same time each year has been imprinted in us through this ritualised holiday," she stated.
Reza Estakhrian via Getty Pictures It's traditional for everyone to spend time outside their homes on the thirteenth day of Nowruz. (Photo credit: Getty Images/Reza Estakhrian)Reza Estakhrian via Getty Pictures
It's traditional for everyone to spend time outside their homes on the thirteenth day of Nowruz. (Photo credit: Getty Images/Reza Estakhrian)
But the way that people have celebrated Nowruz for thousands of years is changing as a result of climate change, and this indisputable proof may serve as a catalyst to get people to pay attention. "Everywhere you look there are rising temperatures, lack of water, the depletion of natural species," Karim stated. "Blossoms are opening much earlier. The fact that Nowruz is under danger these days may have to do with our growing awareness of the planet's vulnerability and our role in it."
There are threats to Nowruz these days, and these threats may have something to do with our awareness of how vulnerable our earth is and how we contribute to that vulnerability.
The life-affirming aspect of the festival customs is perhaps what matters most to Nowruz celebrants in an era when worries about things like social isolation, global politics, and climate change may be debilitating. Television producer Rebecca Rahimi, who lives in New York, sees Nowruz as an opportunity to take it easy and enjoy life. "Spring has arrived, the sun is shining, and we feel connected to the planet." It's expected of you to have a picnic in the park. There's a feeling of liberation," she clarified.
With roots in the erstwhile Persian Empire, millions of people worldwide are celebrating Nowruz, an annual 13-day event that heralds the arrival of spring.
Once spanning from Egypt and the Balkan Peninsula in the west to Afghanistan and Pakistan in the east, Persia—anchored in modern-day Iran—left behind an enduring cultural legacy that includes this colourful celebration. Despite the fact that Nowruz is 3,500 years old, its adherents think that its teachings—such as making an annual reset, appreciating family, and spending time in nature during a vulnerable period—are more relevant than ever.
Originally a Zoroastrian holiday, Nowruz was observed by followers of the ancient monotheistic religion that was established by the prophet Zoroaster in 500 BCE. The rulers of all the subject nations were called to present presents and pay respects to the monarch at Persepolis, whose ruins are still visible in the Iranian city of Shiraz, during the Persian Empire's reign (c. 559–331) on the occasion of Nowruz. The monarchs were able to demonstrate to their forefathers that they were doing well, which is still a significant part of the celebration.
For centuries, Zoroastrianism served as the recognised state religion of the Persian Empire. However, it was eventually replaced by Islam following the Arab conquest in approximately 632 CE. However, Nowruz was firmly established and continued to exist even during the Islamic era. Over time, it changed into a secular holiday that was observed by people of all faiths, including Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Today, groups of people living in North America, Europe, and other parts of the world celebrate Nowruz, including diaspora populations in these regions as well as Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and other formerly Persian-influenced nations.
Getty Images/Vera Chitaeva In the weeks leading up to Nowruz, people sprout wheat and lentils to mimic the shoots and buds that emerge outside. (Source: Getty Images/Vera Chitaeva)Getty Images/Vera Chitaeva
In the weeks leading up to Nowruz, people sprout wheat and lentils to mimic the shoots and buds that emerge outside. (Source: Getty Images/Vera Chitaeva)
Nowruz has become accepted in the Western mainstream as these customs have grown. Disney published a Nowruz explanation animation with Mickey Mouse last year. Nowruz food stories and recipes may be found on a regular basis in major American periodicals. And this year, Berlin, Paris, and London will host Nowruz celebrations for the travelling dance party Disco Tehran, which is fueled by its success in Los Angeles and New York.
At the exact moment of the spring equinox, when the sun crosses the equator on its way north, Nowruz, which means "new day" in Persian, begins. This year, it begins in Tehran at 06:36 on March 20, in London at 03:06, and in New York at 23:06 on March 19.
Everywhere in the world, there are distinct Nowruz customs. Mewa is a dessert consumed in Afghanistan that consists of seven types of dried fruits and nuts steeped in syrup. Before the clock strikes the new year, containers are positioned throughout the house and filled with water in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, Afghans who ride horses participate in buzkashi, a national sport that is akin to polo but uses a goat's body in place of a ball.
It is the link that binds all Iranians together, more than merely a celebration of the new year.
Nowruz's ongoing popularity, according to Haleh Esfandiari, founding head of the Middle East Programme at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington, DC, is due to its friendly and inclusive attitude. Because it is a national, rather than a religious, holiday, it is more than just a celebration of the new year; it acts as the thread that unites all Iranians. Nowruz is celebrated by Iranians of many faiths, ethnicities, and tribes, she noted.
Kerem Nima/Getty Images An essential component of the Nowruz celebrations is fire and pyrotechnics. (Photo credit: Getty Images/Nima Karimi)Kerem Nima/Getty Images
An essential component of the Nowruz celebrations is fire and pyrotechnics. (Photo credit: Getty Images/Nima Karimi)
Nowruz is a symbol of rebirth and fresh starts. Though the Nowruz celebration falls on the equinox, planning starts weeks in advance. Having a clean house and a clear conscience are essential for starting the new year off right.Where is Nowruz celebrated?
Cities with sizable Persian populations in Iran and the diaspora, such as Dubai, Toronto, London, New York, and Los Angeles, offer opportunities for commemorating and educating oneself on the occasion. As an illustration:
Starting on March 22, Disco Tehran will host dance events in Berlin, New York, Los Angeles, London, and Paris.
On March 17, take the family to Parramatta, Sydney, for a day of Nowruz celebrations.
Lauderdale House in London is holding a month-long Nowruz event that includes discussions, music, and displays.
The first step is to thoroughly clean the house; this is known as khoone takoone, or "shaking the house" in Persian. It's also crucial to settle unresolved grievances by giving the offended party ajeel, a concoction of nuts and dried fruit. It is traditional to sprout wheat and lentils in the weeks before, in line with the shoots and buds that emerge outdoors. Then, on the Wednesday before Nowruz, everyone jumps over a bonfire—grandparents included. This is to get rid of anything negative from the previous year.
With its positive theme of fresh starts, Nowruz provides a great chance to rejuvenate. Yasmin Khan, a British presenter and cookbook author whose mother is Iranian, views it as the beginning of a new year. "I gain a lot of strength from the rituals and symbolism of the spring cleaning, the growing of the sprouts, jumping over fires," she stated. "They give me a sense of grounding, connecting me to my ancestral culture and also to the seasons and the elements."
On Nowruz, families honour one another and their ancestors as well as the living by getting together for meals and visits. The social connection is the most significant aspect of Nowruz, according to Iranian-Canadian filmmaker Anna Fahr. This is particularly true in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversations are enjoyable for me. It's a good excuse to get back in touch with my family," she remarked. "We do an online fire jump with pals who live elsewhere. Each of us will light a candle in our flat, and we'll all jump over it together. It's largely about getting together as a community. Getting together with friends and relatives."
It's traditional to pack a picnic, head into the countryside on the last day of Nowruz, and throw the wheat and lentil sprouts into flowing water to mark the end of the previous year. After a long winter, it's a day to spend outdoors enjoying nature. Nowruz serves as a reminder of our symbiotic link with the natural world, according to Persis Karim, head of the Centre for Iranian Diaspora Studies at San Francisco State University. "The transition of the seasons at the same time each year has been imprinted in us through this ritualised holiday," she stated.
Reza Estakhrian via Getty Pictures It's traditional for everyone to spend time outside their homes on the thirteenth day of Nowruz. (Photo credit: Getty Images/Reza Estakhrian)Reza Estakhrian via Getty Pictures
It's traditional for everyone to spend time outside their homes on the thirteenth day of Nowruz. (Photo credit: Getty Images/Reza Estakhrian)
But the way that people have celebrated Nowruz for thousands of years is changing as a result of climate change, and this indisputable proof may serve as a catalyst to get people to pay attention. "Everywhere you look there are rising temperatures, lack of water, the depletion of natural species," Karim stated. "Blossoms are opening much earlier. The fact that Nowruz is under danger these days may have to do with our growing awareness of the planet's vulnerability and our role in it."
There are threats to Nowruz these days, and these threats may have something to do with our awareness of how vulnerable our earth is and how we contribute to that vulnerability.
The life-affirming aspect of the festival customs is perhaps what matters most to Nowruz celebrants in an era when worries about things like social isolation, global politics, and climate change may be debilitating. Television producer Rebecca Rahimi, who lives in New York, sees Nowruz as an opportunity to take it easy and enjoy life. "Spring has arrived, the sun is shining, and we feel connected to the planet." It's expected of you to have a picnic in the park. There's a feeling of liberation," she clarified.