BEHZAD

HAPPY

 

PERSIAN NEW YEAR

 

ID: BEHZAD_EXTERA

 

PERSIAN NOROOZ

In harmony with rebirth of nature, the Persian New Year Celebration, or Norooz, always begins on the first day of spring, March 20th of each year. Norooz ceremonies are symbolic representations of two ancient concepts - the End and Rebirth. About 3000 years ago Persian's major religion was Zoroastrianism, named in honor of its founder Zoroaster, and arguably the world's first monotheistic religion. Zoroastrians had a festival called "Farvardgan" which lasted ten days, and took place at the end of the solar year. It appears that this was a festival of sorrow and mourning , signifying the end of life while the festival of Norooz, at the beginning of spring signified rebirth, and was a time of great joy and celebration. Norooz was officially acknowledged and named "Norooz" by mythical Persian emperor, Shah Jamshid, from Achaemenid Dynasty (500 BC). Ashaemenied created the first major empire in the region and built Persepolis complex (Takhte Jamshid) in the city of Shiraz. Norooz in Persian means "New Day" and brings hope, peace and prosperity to the world and has been celebrated among people regardless of ethnic background, political views or religion in many countries around the globe such as Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Georgia, Iraq, Tajikistan, Syria ,Armenia and India. Some of the activities during Norooz are Spring cleaning, buying new cloths, painting eggs, family reunion, giving presents, visiting neighbors and friends and celebrating by having a picnic on the 13th day of Spring.  Happy Norooz!

Norooz Customs

Norooz Customs
In harmony with the rebirth of nature, the Iranian New Year Celebration, or NOROOZ, always begins on the first day of spring. Norooz ceremonies are symbolic representations of two ancient concepts - the End and the Rebirth; or Good and Evil. A few weeks before the New Year, Iranians clean and rearrange their homes. They make new clothes, bake pastries and germinate seeds as sign of renewal

.Haji Firooz
is a character who is the traditional herald of the Norooz. Haji Firooz disguise themselves with makeup and wear brightly colored outfits of satin. Haji Firuz sing and dance and parade as a carnival through the streets with tambourines, kettledrums, and trumpets to spread good cheer and the news of the coming new year Norooz.
Chahar Shanbeh Soori
happens on the last Tuesday evening of the year. Every family gathers several piles of wood or brush in the streets or parks to be lit shortly after the sunset. Then all the family members line up and take turns jumping over the burning fire and singing “sorkheeyeh toe az man, Zardeeyeh man az toe’. “I give my paleness to the fire and take fire red healthy color”. Yellow or paleness symbolizes the sickness and pain and red symbolizes heath. Fireworks can be heard throughout the night.
Haft Seen
Is a spread with seven items which each symbolizes a wish or theme. All seven items in this ceremonial table starts with the Persian letter Seen or S in English. The Haft Seen spread is usually put out a week before the New Year, which sets the mood for celebration. The seven items are Sabzeh (grown wheat or lentil) for rebirth, Samanu (flour and sugar) for sweetness of life, Sekeh (coin ) for prosperity and wealth, Senjed ( dried fruit of Lotus tree) for love, Seer (garlic) for health, Somaq ( sumac berries) for warmth and Serkeh ( vinegar) for patience. Also there other items on the Norooz spread such as painted eggs, which represent fertility, a mirror that represents image and reflection of life, and a goldfish in a bowl that represents life

.Seezdah Bedar
is the 13th day of Norooz and Persians to overcome the bad luck they spend the entire day out of the house with families and friends in the parks having a picnic. They sing and play games and celebrate a happy and healthy holiday season and end the holiday season on a positive note.

IRANIAN FLAGE

A Thousand years ago ancient Persians believed that the Sun is the center of energy and the lion was the symbol of power and braveness. The proof of that is in one of the ancient hieroglyphics found in Iran; a portrait of Mitra the Angel of light posed next to the Sun. Also the famous "Derafsh Kaviani" which was the flag of a black smith who uprised against the evil King Zahawk using his apron as a flag carried with three different coloured ribbons: red, purple and yellow hanging from the bottom. At all times, a Lion and the Sun have appeared on the most flags during every dynasty that ruled Iran with different colors. During Safavie dynasty ,who were religious rulers, Imam Ali's (Prophet Mohammad's son in law) sword "Zolfghar" was added to the flag. During Afshari dynasty, Nadar Shah created a rectangular flag: red, white and green using a Lion and the Sun as emblem. During Pahlvi dynasty a crown was added to the flag as a symbol of monarchy and later was removed. We can not relate this emblem to any particular ruler or dynasty, since this is our flag, it is our identity with thousands of years of history. This flag does not belong to any group or political party. It is the flag of our nation and will remain as Iranian flag with a history of 3000 years behind it. Please research before you accept or reject our opinion.

 

About Us

About Us

 

Norooz International Cultural Foundation is a non profit organization. We are a group of people who believe in equality, freedom and peace for mankind. That is exactly what Norooz is about. Norooz brings hope and prosperity to the world regardless of ethnic background, political views or religion. We are hoping to get the people in the world together and celebrate Norooz the most appropriate New Year, the first day of Spring when a new life is born. Many countries in the world already celebrate Norooz but we would like to send this message of Norooz which is peace, prosperity and freedom to as many people as possible with your help. Would you join us?