What is Nowruz?

Or what is Nevruz? How come it is celebrated by so many cultures? What is the dictionary meaning of Nevruz?

Nevruz (also spelled as Nowruz) is the first day of spring and the beginning of the new year in the Iranian and Bahai calendars. The word Nevruz is derived from the Persian words “nav” meaning new and “ruz” meaning day. It is also the name of a colorful wildflower and herb that resembles a lion’s mouth. The earliest written mention of Nevruz dates back to Persian sources in the 2nd century, but it is believed to have been celebrated by various peoples under the Persian Empire before that time.

Today, Nevruz is celebrated by many different cultures around the world as a traditional new year or a celebration of the awakening of nature in the spring. The holiday is observed on March 21st in Iran and some other countries, while others celebrate it on March 22nd or 23rd to coincide with the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere. It is considered a holy day by followers of Zoroastrianism and the Baha’i Faith, and is believed to have originated from the Kurdish and Iranian myth of Demirci Kawa.

In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21st as the “International Day of Nowruz,” recognizing the holiday’s significance and widespread celebration around the world. Many countries, including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Georgia, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Macedonia, Pakistan, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, celebrate Nevruz.

Nevruz is a traditional new year or spring festival celebrated by various cultures around the world. The word “Nevruz” (or “Nowruz”) is of Persian origin, and means “new day” or “new light.” According to the Iranian and Bahai calendars, Nevruz represents the first day of the year. The festival is also considered a holy day for Zoroastrians and Bahais.

Nevruz is celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox, which falls on March 20th or 21st each year. However, different cultures may celebrate it on slightly different dates. The festival is marked by various traditions, such as spring cleaning, decorating eggs, and setting up a table with seven symbolic items, each representing a different aspect of life.

Some believe that the Kurdish and Iranian myth of Demirci Kawa is associated with the festival. According to the myth, Demirci Kawa led a rebellion against a cruel king and freed his people on the day of Nevruz. In modern times, the festival is celebrated in many countries, including Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Georgia, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, North Cyprus, Macedonia, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine.

In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21st as International Day of Nowruz to promote peace and goodwill among different cultures.

Nowruz and the Equinox:

Nevruz is the first day of spring and the day when the spring equinox occurs in the northern hemisphere. The sun is perpendicular to the equator, and day and night are equal. Both the North and South poles are on the horizon, and daylight is equally distributed between both hemispheres.

Astrologically, March 21 is the beginning day of the Aries zodiac sign.

In 2018, the equinox occurred on March 20 at 4:15 pm (GMT) in the northern hemisphere.

Nowruz History and Tradition:

The tradition of Nevruz dates back to the days just before the end of the last Ice Age, about 15,000 years ago. The legendary Persian King Jamshid represents the transition of Indo-Iranians from hunting to animal husbandry and settled life. In those times, seasons were more vital to human life than they are today, and everything related to life was closely related to the four seasons. After a difficult winter, spring meant a great opportunity for abundance and prosperity as nature woke up with flowers, green plants, and the birth of cattle. King Jamshid is said to have initiated these Nevruz celebrations during such a period.

Zoroaster, the prophet of Zoroastrians and one of the architects of Iranian astronomy, is the person who institutionalized many holidays. Nevruz may be one of the holidays institutionalized by Zoroaster.

Twelve centuries later, in 487 BC, Great Darius celebrated Nevruz in his newly built palace in Persepolis. Recent research shows that these celebrations had a very special meaning. The first rays of the sun on Nevruz day only fell on the reception hall in the observatory at 6:30 am, and this event occurred only once every 1,400 years. This coincided with the new year of Babylonians and Jews, so these celebrations were considered very auspicious and important for ancient societies. It is believed that the Persepolis settlement or at least the palace of Apadana and the “Hall of One Hundred Columns” were built to celebrate Nevruz. Unfortunately, Nevruz is not mentioned in the ancient inscriptions.

Nowruz among Turks:

Nevruz represents the melting of the iron mountain (Ergenekon) and the arrival of spring and the awakening of nature for the Turks (Göktürks). It has been celebrated on March 21 every year since the 8th century BC by all Turkish tribes and communities from East Turkestan to the Balkans.

In Turkey, it is a tradition, while in Turkish Republics, it is celebrated as an official holiday. Since 1995, it has become a day recognized as a holiday by the Republic of Turkey.

The Turkish calendar divides one day into 12 parts, each part called a “Çağ”. One Çağ is two hours, so one day is 24 hours. Each Çağ consists of eight “Kehs.” March 21, when day and night are equal, is celebrated as the New Year, called Yılgayak.

In the Turkic literature and music, Nevruz is known as Nevruz-ı Asl, Nevruz-ı Arap, Nevruz-ı Bayati, Nevruz-ı Hicaz, Nevruz-ı Acem, and Nevruz-ı Seba. It has been celebrated as a holiday and tradition by many states in history, including Anatolian principalities, Ancient

Egypt, Iran, Safavid, Sasanian, Mongols, Seljuk, and Ottoman empires.

In Seljuk and Ottoman Empires, Nevruz was celebrated as a national holiday with feasts and poems called “Nevruziye”. A special paste called “Mesir macunu” was prepared and distributed on this day, which is still celebrated as a festival in Manisa on March 21. Alevi and Bektashi communities also celebrate Nevruz with special rituals and ceremonies, and Zoroastrians and Yazidis also consider March 21 as a holiday.

Nevruz among Crimean Tatars:

Navrez is the name given to Nevruz holiday among Crimean Tatars. On this day, Crimean Tatars wake up early and cut a branch from a tree. They hang early spring flowers such as crocus and snowdrop on this branch. Children take this branch and go door to door, singing the Navrez song. The homeowners give them gifts such as eggs and sweets and tie their handkerchiefs to the branch. When all the houses are visited, children share the gifts among themselves.

Due to the pressure of the Soviet regime, Crimean Tatars were unable to celebrate this national holiday, and today, children do not know or celebrate this holiday. However, symbolic celebrations are occasionally seen in countries where Crimean Tatars live.

Nevruz among Kurds:

Kurds celebrate Nevruz on March 21, 22, and 23, and they usually gather in rural areas and open spaces to celebrate the arrival of spring. Women wear colorful dresses and wear shimmering veils with beads. The community lights a big fire and celebrates the holiday by dancing and jumping over the fire.

According to Kurdish writer Musa Anter, Nevruz was originally celebrated on August 31 among Kurds, but later, it shifted to March due to the adoption of the Arabic calendar.

In Kurdish, “Happy Nevruz” is said as follows: Kurmanci: Newroz pîroz be!, Zazaca: Newroz pîroz bo, and Sorani: Newroztan pîroz bêt.