No-Ruz
No-ruz (also, Nau rooz, Noruz, Now ruz; new day) is a Persian expression referring to the Persian New Year. It takes place on the first day of spring (21 March) and heralds the beginning of thirteen days of celebration. A few weeks before No-ruz, Iranians commonly do spring cleaning in their homes in preparation for the arrival of the New Year. Picnics are a common tradition on the thirteenth day. In addition, people take to the streets to participate in celebrations by playing drums and singing songs. Some also dress up in brightly colored satin outfits and wear makeup, to portray Haji Firuz (bards). The frequent themes during No-ruz celebrations are good and evil or death and rebirth.
An elaborate dinner takes place on No-ruz. Usually, a traditional centerpiece, called the haft-sin (seven esses), is placed on the dinner table. The seven esses refer to the seven items in the arrangement that all begin with the letter s in the Persian language and which can include sumac (a spice), serkeh (vinegar), samanu (wheat pudding), sabzi (greens), sonbol (hyacinth), senjed (a type of Iranian fruit), sekeh (coin), sib (apple), and sir (garlic). These items are offered as symbols to bring good luck and prosperity in the coming year.
Further Reading
Fardjan, Faridah, and Meyer Azaad. (1972) Uncle New Year: An Original Persian Folk Story. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books.
Ghanoonparvar, Mohammad R. (1982) Persian Cuisine. Lexington, KY: Mazda.
Ghirshman, Roman. (1978) Iran. Harmondsworth, Middlesex, U.K.: Penguin Books.
Miskub, Shahrokh. (1992) Iranian Nationality and the Persian Language. Washington, DC: Mage.
This is the complete article, containing 251 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page).
