Norouz is the Persian New Year. This day is always spring equinox – marking the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Norouz is considered a holy day for Zoroastrians, Baháʼís and some Muslim communities. The meaning of Nowruz can be broken into two words: now meaning “new” and ruz meaning “day.” Some people celebrate Norouz by deep cleaning the home, purchasing new outfits, visiting friends, eating sweets and setting up a haft-sin. A haft-sin is a gorgeous display of seven items that begin with the letter “sin”: sabzeh – sprouts, samanu – sweet wheat pudding, senjed – dried fruit of a lotus tree, sib – apple, sir – garlic, serkeh – vinegar, and somaq – sumac. These items are elaborately displays with fresh flowers, goldfish, coins, a mirror and a book of wisdom.
Recommended book: Seven Special Somethings: A Nowruz Story by Adib Khorram