As the month of March looms on the horizon, many parts of the Middle East and Central Asia are uplifted by the promise of Nowruz—a celebration of hope, resilience, the promise of brighter days and a better year to come. To those who celebrate it, Nowruz isn’t just a date on the calendar. It is a testament to human yearning for renewal, for a world adorned with verdant meadows, abundant rainfall, and the bountiful harvests that sustain them. The hope that it offers is a beacon of light amidst the darkness and coldness of the winter. It heralds the arrival of spring and the promise of a happier, healthier, and more prosperous year ahead.
With the spring equinox, nature promises longer days, warmer grounds, and the sunlight that blows life to the earth. For those who hold Nowruz dear, the equinox is a promise of better days ahead. It promises that the icy grip of winter finally releases its hold and makes way for the vibrant tapestry of spring to paint our world anew.
To truly honor this transformative moment, a single day is hardly sufficient. The journey towards Nowruz, thus, begins weeks in advance. It consists of stages that mirror the rhythm of nature itself. First, there’s the ritual of cleansing. This ritual is a meticulous communal affair that transcends mere tidying. From small houses to bustling city streets, every nook and corner is scrubbed clean to cast aside the shadows of the past year. The scent that heralds Nowruz isn’t just of blooming flowers; it’s the fragrance of freshly laundered curtains billowing in the breeze, of polished windows gleaming with renewed vitality.
As the cleansing ritual continues, the stage is set for the next ritual that resembles the awakening of life. Sprouts that awaken from their winter dormant stage, mirror the promise of renewal and growth that Nowruz embodies. Meanwhile, elements for the Haft Sin arrangement are prepared. Each element of the Haft Sin arrangement tells a story of fire, water, earth, and the bounty of nature. In Haft Sin each item has a symbolic meaning. The sprouting is the symbol of rebirth, growth, and green pastures. Samanu, which is a sweet made from sprouts, is the symbol of strength and resilience. Senjed (Oleaster) is the symbol of love. Somāq is the symbol of hot sun when it rises in summer. Serkeh (Vinegar) can be made only with patience. Seeb (Apple) is the symbol of knowledge and beauty. Seer (Garlic) is used as medicine and represents health. Then comes the non-S items that are often present on Haft Sin including Ketaab (Book) to respect knowledge and wisdom, Sonbol (Hyacinth) whose scent reminds everyone about the coming of spring. Sekkeh (Coin), which represents prosperity and wealth. Saat (Clock) that represents time. Tokhm-e Morg Rangi (colored eggs) as the symbol of fertility. Ayina (Mirror) to remind all that self-reflection matters. Shem’a (Candle) which represents fire, knowledge, and enlightenment. Maahi-ye Qırmız (Goldfish) that represents the world of animal and is the symbol of fluidity and flexibility. From the symbolic strength of Samanu to the enduring patience of Serkeh, every item carries with it a message of resilience and hope.
In the days leading up to Nowruz, anticipation builds and fills the air with a sense of excitement and expectation. Streets come alive with music and dance, as communities gather to welcome the new year with open arms. Such transformation is to be loudly celebrated. But amidst the festivities to welcome the new year, there needs to be the time to say goodbye to the old year. Chaharshanbe Suri, or Scarlet Wednesday, is the last Wednesday of the year, the night to bid farewell to the year gone by in a blaze of fire and poetry. As bonfires light up the night sky, everyone leaps over the flames, chanting “sorkhi-ye to az man, zardi-ye man az to,” which translates to “may your redness be mine, my paleness yours”. Kids go around the neighborhood spoon banging, collecting cookies and dried nuts. Some smash an old pot, most burn rue to keep the evil eye away, some read traditional poetry books to know about their fortune for the coming year. This is the night to farewell the last year and it is celebrated until very late at night. The last Friday of each year is the day of remembrance and keeping the memories of those who are no longer alive.
The last Friday of the year is the time to pause to remember those who now reside in memory alone. It is the time to remember and reflect on the lives that have shaped our own and their legacies. As Nowruz dawns, there’s a sense of reverence and gratitude. Whether it arrives in the stillness of night or the first light of day, the moment is met with joy and reflection. Candles are lit, hopes are whispered, and everyone gathers round the Haft Sin, as they welcome the dawn of a new era with hope.
In the year 2024, as Nowruz will be on March 19th at 11:06pm EST. Here’s to a Nowruz filled with love, resilience, and the boundless promise of a brighter tomorrow. Wishing you all a heartfelt Nowruz and a year filled with peace, prosperity, and abundance.
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Dr. Negar Partow is a visiting scholar at the Centre for the study of the Middle East. Her research focuses on human security, international security and the Midde East Security environment
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