Navroz

Navroz, also spelled Nowruz or Norooz, is the traditional Persian New Year festival that marks the beginning of spring and the start of the year in the Iranian calendar. The term means “new day” in Persian. The celebration is tied to the vernal equinox, when day and night are of approximately equal length, and it has ancient roots linked to Zoroastrian and pre-Islamic Iranian traditions. It is observed across Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, parts of Central Asia, and by diaspora communities in the Middle East, the Caucasus, the Balkans, and beyond.

Common customs emphasize renewal and family gathering. Many households perform spring cleaning (khaneh-tekani) and set up the Haft-Seen table, which features seven items that begin with the Persian letter seen. Typical items are sabzeh (sprouted greens), samanu (a sweet pudding made from wheat germ), seer (garlic), seeb (apple), somaq (sumac), serkeh (vinegar), and senjed (dried oleaster fruit). Additional symbolic elements such as hyacinths, painted eggs, and coins may accompany the display. Families visit relatives, share festive meals, and exchange gifts, with celebrations often lasting several days.

Related traditions include Chaharshanbe Suri, a fire festival on the eve of Nowruz, and Sizdah Bedar, the outdoor celebration on the 13th day to welcome nature. Seasonal dishes vary by region but commonly feature fragrant herb rice with fish, along with other spring foods. Navroz serves as a cultural expression of renewal, communal harmony, and continuity across generations.