It is always pleasant to hear of a new holiday, to discover, on the calendar, yet another occasion for feasting and celebration. It may be the newest holiday on the North American calendar, but Naw Ruz is actually an old holiday.
Persians have been celebrating the spring equinox since they were tribal people, thousands of years ago. It is their New Year. Today, it is the only holiday celebrated by all Persians, regardless of religion.Naw Ruz (or Now Ruz or NoRuz, as it is variously spelled) celebrations were brought to the United States by Iranians, but also by people of the Baha'i faith. Some Baha'is come from Iran; some don't. All Baha'is have adopted the holiday.
Naw Ruz is a holiday of hope and renewal. Salt Laker Ghazaleh Semnani has several articles to explain more about it:
The early tribal rituals were pleas to the gods for water and sun and good crops. With the coming of the prophet Zoroaster and the development of astronomy and mathematics, the rituals of Naw Ruz developed further.
From the writings of 10th century Persian poets and philosophers, we know this about Naw Ruz: The length of the feast is to be one week, beginning on the first day of spring. The feasting lasts seven days as a holy symbol. When the supreme being, Ahura Mazda, appeared to Zoroaster, he brought with him six angels. Other symbols of seven are found on the Haft'sin (feast) table. They all begin with the letter S, which also stands for seven.
There are apples (sib), oleaster (sinjid), wheat pudding (samanu), garlic (sir), herbs (sabzi), soumack (sumaq), vinegar (sirkah). There is also a honey candy called Sawhan-i'asal.
These days, people of the Middle East begin preparing for Naw Ruz at least a month before the actual holiday. They clean their homes, buy presents, bake pastries and shop for new clothes for each member of the family.
On the 20th of March, they gather at the Haft'sin table, which is laden with symbols of the earth's bounty. Flowers, bean sprouts and painted eggs symbolize the beginning of new life. The exact moment of the New Year - the time when the sun moves to the sign of the Ram - is loudly announced in the larger cities. At that moment of the new year, friends and family wish each other health and prosperity for the coming year. They exchange gifts and eat the meal.
They spend the next 12 days making visits. Young family members go first to the homes of their elders. Later in the week, the older generation visits the younger generation. There are street entertainments through Naw Ruz - music, sporting contests and games. The festivities begin with a bonfire and end with a picnic.
It is common for Iranian families to light a bonfire, even if it is only a tiny fire in the courtyard of their apartment. Each member of the family takes turns jumping over the fire and saying a rhyme that hopes for good health. The picnic also symbolizes health - as people go out into the country to walk and play in nature.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Celebrating Naw Ruz in Utah
There will be two Naw Ruz celebrations in Salt Lake City this month. The Baha'i Community invites everyone to a free celebration at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, at the Ladies Literary Club, 850 E. South Temple. The Golestani Children's Dance Group will perform and there will other performances by youngsters from Tonga and Latin America, in addition to telling of Persian folk tales.
The Children's Museum of Utah invites parents and children to a Naw Ruz party on Friday, March 22, at 7 p.m. Art and cultural projects included. Admission to CMU, on Friday nights, is $1.50 for adults and children. The museum is located at 840 N. 300 West.