No-Rooz, the Iranian New Year at Present Times
No-Rooz, in word, means "New Day". It is the new day that starts the year, traditionally the exact astronomical beginning of the spring. Iranians take that as the beginning of the year. This exact second is called "Saal Tahvil".
No-Rooz with its' uniquely Iranian characteristics has been celebrated for at least 3,000 years and is deeply rooted in the rituals and traditions of the Zoroastrian (This was the religion of ancient Persia before the advent of Islam in 7th century A.D.).
Iranians consider No-Rooz as their biggest celebration of the year, before the New Year, they start cleaning their houses (Khaane Tekaani), and they buy new clothes. But a major part of New Year rituals is setting the "Haft Seen" with seven specific items. In ancient times each of the items corresponded to one of the seven creations and the seven holy immortals protecting them. Today they are changed and modified but some have kept their symbolism.
The Arrival of New Year
When the clock strikes New Year all the members of the family in their clean and new outfits gather around the Norooz table and Haftseen. The family begins the New Year with a prayer for health, happiness and prosperity, usually along these lines: "O Reformer of hearts and minds, Director of day and night and Transformer of conditions, change ours to the best in accordance with Your will."
After the initial celebration to welcome the New Year, the members of the family hug and kiss each other, eat the bounties prepared for the New Year and wish each other the best.
Then the oldest member of the family (usually the father) presents the Eidi (New Year's gift) to younger members. The Eidi usually consists of new and unused paper money that have been put between the pages of the Holy Book.
Visiting relatives during Norooz is among other customs widely practiced.
other links:
Norooz promotes the culture of peace and prosperity
Norooz Rituals in every region of Iran
The Iranian Symbolic Dishes
Norooz: The Iranian New year
