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The word “Navruz” from Persian means “new day”. Ten years ago, UNESCO included the holiday in the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. From that moment on, it is called “International Day of Navruz”. The holiday is an integral part of the national culture of many Eastern peoples, while it has nothing to do with religion. We will tell you how Navruz will be celebrated by all those involved in 2023.
What date is Nowruz celebrated in 2023
Most Turkic and Persian holidays are celebrated according to the lunar calendar, this is due to the traditions of Islam. However, the New Year’s holiday was celebrated even before the advent of the Muslim religion, and therefore this day is counted according to the solar calendar. Every year Navruz falls on March 21 and 2023 will be no exception.
history of the holiday
For the first time the word “Navruz” appears in Persian sources of the second century AD. But in the oral tradition, the holiday of the beginning of the year is known long before these times. Some historians claim that the inhabitants of the Persian Empire first began to celebrate Navruz during the Achaemenid dynasty, in the XNUMXth-XNUMXth century BC. Other scientists have found the roots of the holiday in the XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries BC. It is now almost impossible to establish the exact date of the holiday’s appearance, but one thing is known for sure – in the Middle East this day has been important from time immemorial.
Like other holidays of ancient Iran, Nowruz is mentioned in the main book of Zoroastrianism – “Avesta”. According to the scripture, on this day all the inhabitants of the earth were to celebrate the next anniversary of the appearance of life on our planet.
The New Year holiday is also connected with the mythology of the Persians. It is believed that on March 21, according to the solar calendar, the funeral of the hero Siyavush took place. This legend is also mentioned in the Zoroastrian Avesta.
In the first centuries of its existence, the holiday was dedicated not only to the onset of the new year, but also to fire. It is worth remembering that it was this element that was worshiped by representatives of Zoroastrianism, the dominant religion of Iran before the arrival of Islam in these parts.
Traditionally, preparations for the Persian New Year begin several weeks in advance. During this time, a person must pay off all his debts, put things in order in the yard, in the house and in his head, and also prepare a number of festive dishes.
Food, according to the ritual, should consist of seven elements, the names of which begin with the letter “C” of the Persian alphabet. For example, it can be an apple, black pits, olive, vinegar, garlic and sprouted grain.
It is customary to put a mirror, candles and colored eggs on the table. The candle symbolizes fire, protecting a person from evil forces. Sprouted wheat sprouts tied with a red ribbon are considered one of the main symbols of Navruz. Houses, gardens and festive tables are decorated with vases with sprouts.
Each country and republic has its own traditions of the Navruz holiday. For example, in Azerbaijan it is customary to put a lot of sweets on the table – traditional Turkic baklava and shekerbura. In Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, it is very important to congratulate each other with the greeting words “Happy Navruz!”. Every village and city has its own traditions, the elders always remain their keepers.
Popular questions and answers
How does Islam feel about Nowruz? Is it forbidden for Muslims to celebrate an ancient holiday?
However, it is important to remember that some pre-Islamic traditions of Nowruz may be contrary to religion – for example, Islam prohibits the consumption of alcohol.
This tradition is rooted in pre-Islamic times, and a decorated egg is associated with the birth of all life. Most often, eggs were dyed green.