NOROUZ ‘New-day’ is the Persian New Year, which has been celebrated in Iran for thousands of years by everyone regardless of ethnicity, religion, or language and is deeply rooted in the rituals and traditions of the Zoroastrians.

NOROUZ marks the beginning of spring at the exact time of the Vernal Equinox, which this year (2023) takes place on the evening of Monday 20th of March at 21:24.  Family and friends gather around the Haft Sin table for the countdown. Children eagerly watch and wait for decorated eggs placed on a flat mirror to magically roll across the mirror – indicating the start of NOROUZ. According to ancient Persian legend the Earth’s Axis turns on the tip of a giant Bull’s horn and at the exact time of the Vernal Equinox the giant bull tosses the Earth onto the tip of his other horn, causing a tiny tremor. Everyone gathered around, embrace and wish each other “SALE NO MOBARAK” - Happy New Year.

Central to the celebration is the special table called HAFT-SIN -  ‘Seven ‘S’s’. Persians around the world abundantly decorate their Haft-Sin display with at least seven symbolic items, all of which begin with ‘S’ in the Persian language.

SABZI - Sprouting Wheat/Lentil – symbolizes new life, rebirth and rejuvenation

SONBOL – Hyacinths – symbolizes Spring

SIB – Red Apples – symbolizes health and beauty

SEER – a whole Garlic Bulb – symbolizes medicine and good health

SEKKEH – Gold Coin – symbolizes prosperity

SOMAGH – Sumac – symbolizes Fertility

SENJED – Fruit of the Oleaster tree – symbolizes Love

SAMANOO – a sweet germinated Wheat pudding – symbolizes Fertility, power and strength

SERKEH – Vinegar – symbolizes Age and Patience

On the same table many Persians place a book of Poetry by Hafez or Rumi, the Koran and dishes of Shirini – biscuits and sweets.

The NOROUZ celebrations last for 13 days and are preceded on the last Tuesday before NOROUZ by CHAHARSHANBE SURI the Persian Fire festival. Persians jump over fires shouting “Sorkhi-e to az man o zardi-e man az to” – give me your beautiful red colour and take back my sickly pallor.

NOROUZ officially ends with SIZDAH BEDAR ‘Out door 13th day picnic’ where families have large picnics in parks and the countryside to celebrate nature. Families take the Haft-Sin SABZI and throw it into rivers and streams to rid the house and household of evil eyes. Girls wishing to marry by the next year, make a wish and tie a knot in the Sabzi’s green shoots before throwing it into the flowing water. There is much singing, dancing and eating and with this the NOROUZ celebrations are complete.