Nowruz, A New Year Celebration
Nowruz is also known as Novruz, Nowrouz, Nooruz, Nevruz, Nawvurz, Nauryz, Navruz, or Nauroz, it is a celebration of new beginnings and hope with rich traditions and customs passed down generations while incorporating new religious, cultural and social influences. Nowruz is teemed with rituals, poetry, music, and culinary traditions that brings families and communities together. The 13-day festival is preceded by cleaning the house thoroughly to ‘shake the dust’ of the past and by purchasing new clothes to symbolise a fresh start.
A crucial part of Nowruz, particularly in Iran, is the Sofreh Haft-Seen or the Half-Seen table which is set at the start of Nowruz and stays in the house for the entire 13-days of celebrations. Symbolising new life and renewal, the table or a beautiful tablecloth on the floor is set with seven (haft) items each beginning with the letter ‘s’ (seen in Persian). The tradition started as a representation of the seven eternal laws in Zoroastrianism with sharab (wine) considered the most important. However, with the introduction of Islam to ancient Persia, serekh (vinegar) replaced wine and all other items were changed to start with the letter ‘s’. The items symbolise various aspects of life and often constitutes of:
- Sabzeh (sprouted grains) representing rebirth and renewal
- Seer (garlic) representing health and medicine
- Seeb (apple) representing health and beauty
- Serkeh (vinegar) representing patience, age and wisdom
- Senjed (dried fruit) representing familial love
- Somagh (sumac) representing life and prosperity
- Samanu (sweet pudding) representing sweetness of life and fertility
- In addition to these, families may also include additional items such as:
- Tokhm-e-Morgh (decorated eggs) to symbolise new beginnings and fertility
- Sekkeh (coins) to symbolise wealth and proseperity
- Goldfish to symbolise life and the flow of time
- Mirror to symbolise reflection and self-reflection
- Candle to symbolise light and happiness
- Holy book to symbolise spirituality and faith
In Afghanistan, it is tradition to eat haft mewa (a dessert consisting of seven different types of dried fruits and nuts). Placing vessels filled with water or replenishing their water supplies is a custom in some regions, including Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, symbolising cleansing and rejuvenation. Fire rituals and jumping over bonfires is a common Nowruz custom in many regions and this symbolises purification and energisation.
Nowruz holds special significance as it is a shared celebration across communities of varying religious, tribal, ethnic and national identities and highlights Nowruz representation of unity and revitalisation. In acknowledgement of its role in promoting mutual understanding, respect and shared values; Nowruz was recognised as a UNESCO ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ in 2009. So, with the dawning of Nowruz on the 21st of March 2025 at 10:01pm NZ time, let us embrace true essence of Nowruz. Let us appreciate, respect and promote culture and stand in solidarity as fellow humans with shared values and aspirations.
Contributed by Dulani Abeysinghe, eCALD® Educator, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
