Nowruz, also known as Navroz, Nooruz, or Nevruz, is an ancient festival that welcomes the new year and the arrival of spring. Dating back over 2,500 years, this celebration is deeply rooted in history and culture. Observed on March 20, Nowruz is celebrated across a vast region, including Iran, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and several other countries along the Silk Road.
This vibrant festival is more than just a new year’s celebration—it symbolizes renewal, hope, and the victory of warmth over winter’s cold. Over time, Nowruz has blended with various cultural and religious traditions, making it one of the most cherished festivals in the world.
Origins of Nowruz: A Festival from Ancient Persia
Nowruz has its roots in Zoroastrianism, one of the world’s oldest religions. Ancient Persians saw the return of spring as a spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil. According to Zoroastrian beliefs, the Spirit of Noon, Rapithwina, was forced underground by winter but reemerged on Nowruz, marking the start of celebrations.
There are also fascinating legends linked to Nowruz. One popular myth in Persian history tells of King Jamshid, who was lifted into the sky in a chariot. The sight amazed his people so much that they declared the day a festival. Even today, Nowruz is sometimes called “Nowruze Jamshidi” in Iran. In India, Turkey, and Central Asia, similar folklore exists, highlighting the deep cultural significance of the festival.
How Nowruz Evolved Over Centuries
As Nowruz spread across different civilizations, it absorbed various social and religious influences. Initially determined by ancient astronomical calculations, the festival’s date was revised multiple times during the 11th and 12th centuries. Scholars like Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, Omar Khayyam, and Mahmud Kashgari studied its timing and importance.
Under different rulers and empires, Nowruz continued to thrive, adapting to local customs while keeping its essence of renewal and togetherness intact.
Traditional Nowruz Customs and Rituals
While Nowruz is celebrated differently across countries, several traditions unite its observers.
Fire and Water Rituals
Fire and water are central to Nowruz. In Iran, people celebrate Chaharshanbe Suri, where they jump over bonfires on the last Wednesday before Nowruz. This ritual represents burning away past misfortunes and welcoming new blessings. In Azerbaijan, the same practice takes place over the four Wednesdays leading up to Nowruz.
Many communities also fill their homes with fresh water before the festival. In Kyrgyzstan, all household vessels are filled on Nowruz Eve, a ritual believed to bring prosperity and ward off misfortune.
Remembering the Departed
Honoring ancestors is another key tradition. Before Nowruz, people visit cemeteries, lighting candles and offering prayers. In Kazakhstan, two candles are placed at the house entrance on Nowruz Eve. Azerbaijan dedicates the second day of Nowruz to remembering the deceased, known as the “Day of Fathers.”
Feasting, Family Gatherings, and Gifts
The day of Nowruz is filled with feasting, visiting loved ones, and exchanging gifts. Families prepare special meals based on their local traditions.
In Iran, the symbolic Nowruz meal often includes Sabzi Polo (herbed rice) and fish. In Kyrgyzstan, a public feast is held, where people gather in town squares to prepare Nooruz Kedje, a traditional soup made with bull’s meat. Children receive toys and painted eggs, adding joy to the occasion.
The Nowruz Table: A Symbol of New Beginnings
A key tradition during Nowruz is setting up a special table with symbolic items. Though these vary by region, some common elements include:
- Water – representing purity and life
- Candles – symbolizing light and enlightenment
- Green sprouts (Sabzeh) – for renewal and growth
- Eggs – representing fertility
- Fruits and sweets – for prosperity and happiness
In Iran, this setup is known as “Sofreh-ye Haft Sin,” featuring seven items starting with the Persian letter ‘S’. A similar table is arranged in parts of India.
Music, Poetry, and Cultural Festivities
Nowruz is also a time for music, poetry, and performances. In Afghanistan, Iran, and Tajikistan, the famous song “Molla Mammad Jaan” is sung during celebrations. In Uzbekistan, traditional singers called baxshi and shoirs perform special Nowruz songs. Kyrgyzstan hosts poetic competitions where storytellers improvise tales about Nowruz.
Dances, games, and sports are also a big part of the festivities. In Uzbekistan, people play Kopkari, a horseback game. Kyrgyzstan features traditional sports like:
- Kyz Kuumay – a horseback race where men chase women
- Enish – wrestling on horseback
- Jamby Atuu – horseback archery
Other unique traditions include tightrope walking in Iran and Buzkashi in Afghanistan, a thrilling sport where horse riders compete for a calf’s head.
Nowruz: A Celebration of Unity and Peace
Nowruz is more than just a festival. It is a symbol of peace, unity, and cultural exchange that has survived for over a millennium. Through its customs, music, rituals, and feasts, Nowruz strengthens bonds among families and communities.
Recognizing its cultural significance, UNESCO added Nowruz to the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. A year later, in 2010, the United Nations officially declared March 21 as “International Nowruz Day.”
Every year, as people welcome the arrival of spring with joy and tradition, Nowruz continues to remind us of the power of renewal, hope, and togetherness.
FAQs About Nowruz
1. What does Nowruz mean?
Nowruz means “New Day” in Persian. It marks the beginning of spring and the Persian New Year.
2. What is Nowruz?
Nowruz is an ancient festival celebrated in several countries, symbolizing renewal, prosperity, and unity. It involves rituals, feasting, music, and cultural events.
3. What is Nowruz in Islam?
Although Nowruz predates Islam, it is observed by Muslims across various regions. Some Islamic scholars recognize it as a day of gratitude and renewal, and it is widely celebrated in countries with large Muslim populations.
4. What is the Nowruz table?
The Nowruz table, or Haft Sin (in Iran), is a festive display with seven symbolic items representing fertility, prosperity, and new beginnings.
5. Which religion celebrates Nowruz?
Nowruz is not limited to a single religion. It is celebrated by Zoroastrians, Muslims, Christians, and people of other faiths across the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia.