Persian Festivals

Nowruz

Pesrian New Year

Historical Roots

Nowruz, also known as Persian New Year, has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. This celebration’s origins can be traced to ancient Zoroastrianism, which used to be the dominant religion of the ancient Persian Empire. Since Zoroastrianism emphasises the importance of light, truth, and the changing of seasons, the spring equinox is an ideal time for a new year celebration.

The word “Nowruz” means “New Day” in Persian, and is celebrated on the first day of the first month in the Iranian solar calendar (around March 20-21). This celebration is deeply tied to agrarian cycles, symbolising renewal, rebirth, and the triumph of warmth over cold.

Celebration

a man cleaning the window while the woman vacumes the carpet.
Cleaning
a haft-seen table
Haft-seen table
family members sitting next to each other
Gathering

Nowruz celebrations typically begin with preparations weeks in advance. Families clean and declutter their homes as a symbol of removing negative energies to welcome the new year with a fresh start.

The center piece of Nowruz is Haft-seen table. A table adorned with seven sacred items each beginning with the Persian letter “س” (seen).

During Nowruz holiday, families visit one another to exchange good wishes and gifts. Usually, elders give monetary gifts to younger members of the family.

Activities
kids painting eggs with their mother
Painting eggs

Decorating boiled eggs is a fun and colourful way to prepare for Nowruz! These eggs represent fertility and new life, which are an essential part of the Haft-seen table.

What you’ll need:

  1. Hard-Boiled eggs
  2. Paints, markers, and glitters

What to do:

Let the kids paint colourful patterns, flowers, and springtime designs on the eggs.

kids are soaking the seeds while their mother is spreading the seeeds in a tray.
Growing seeds

Growing sprouted greens is an amazing practice for learning patience and responsibility for kids while being a hands-on way to learn about Nowruz traditions.

What you’ll need:

  1. Wheat, barley, or lentils
  2. A shallow tray
  3. Damp paper towel or cotton

What to do:

Start soaking the seeds one week before Nowruz, then spread them on the damp base. Keep them moist, and watch your sprouts grow as Nowruz approaches.