Results: Nowruz Mobarak!

Nowruz Mobarak means Happy New Year! The first minute of spring started March 19, at 11:06 PM EDT, and this also marks the official start of the Persian New Year. Nowruz, which literally translates into "New Day" marks the beginning of the Persian new year, a celebration which lasts for 13 days. The holiday, which dates back 3,000 years, is rooted in Zoroastrianism – an ancient Iranian religion that influenced later religions including Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Although Nowruz has its roots in an ancient religion, the holiday itself has evolved and now is completely secular, a celebration of renewal and nature. In fact, in Iran, the Islamic Republic Regime would like nothing better than to stop all Nowruz celebrations, which go against everything this government believes in. Nowruz is considered one of the largest celebrations of the year with Iranians of all religions, or no religions, taking part in the festivities. Do you or do you know someone who celebrates Nowruz?

A major part of the New Year celebration involves setting the "Haft Seen", also known as the seven S's. The traditional table setting includes seven items that all begin with the letter "seen" in the Persian alphabet. "Seeb" or apple (promotes beauty and good health), "seer" or garlic (wards off bad omen), "samanou" (a sweet pudding, symbolizing affluence), "sabze" or wheat-germ (representing rebirth) grown in a flat dish a few days before the New Year, "sek-keh" or coin, preferably gold (for wealth and abundance), "senjed" (dried fruit from lotus tree, symbolizing love), and "somagh" or sumac (color of sunrise). In addition, there will also be a mirror (symbol for the sky), lit candles symbolizing fire and promoting enlightenment, colored eggs (symbol of fertility corresponding to the mother earth), sweets to spread sweetness and a book of poems by Hafiz or Rumi. Have you ever seen a Haft-Seen displayed during this time of year, and wondered what it meant?

Of course, no Persian celebration would be complete without the food. Persian food is flavorful, colorful and always abundant at this time of year. Traditionally, herb infused rice served with fish, or Sabzi Polow ba mahi. is served for New Years, along with traditional pastries, and mixtures of nuts and dried fruit. Have you ever eaten at a Persian restaurant or Persian food at someone's home? Of course, no Persian celebration would be complete without the food. Persian food is flavorful, colorful and always abundant at this time of year. Traditionally, herb infused rice served with fish, or Sabzi Polow ba mahi. is served for New Years, along with traditional pastries, and mixtures of nuts and dried fruit. Have you ever eaten at a Persian restaurant or Persian food at someone's home?

On the 13th day, known as Sizdah Bedar (which means "out with the 13th) it's typical for families to spend the day outside. Iranians are known to go to parks for a picnic, since it is believed that remaining outdoors will help one avoid misfortune. Of course, in Canada and the United States, the weather is not always conducive to being outside, but every year our family hosts a big BBQ on that day (or a weekend day closest to it) and at least spend some time outdoors. Did you know about this custom?