Nowruz
Nowruz is the Persian New Year, an ancient festival marking the spring equinox, celebrated by over 300 million people across Iran, Central Asia, and beyond.
Predating Islam by many centuries and tracing its roots to ancient Zoroastrian tradition, this spring festival remains one of the most widely celebrated holidays across an enormous swath of Central and Western Asia.
Ancient Zoroastrian Origins
Nowruz traces its origins to ancient Zoroastrian tradition in Persia, with celebrations documented for over 3,000 years, making it one of the oldest continuously celebrated festivals in the world.
Marking the Spring Equinox
The festival marks the precise astronomical moment of the spring equinox, symbolizing renewal, rebirth, and the changing of seasons.
The Haft-Seen Table
A central Nowruz tradition involves setting a special table called Haft-Seen, displaying seven specific items each beginning with the Persian letter "seen," symbolizing different wishes for the new year.
A Widely Celebrated Regional Holiday
Nowruz is celebrated by over 300 million people across Iran, Afghanistan, and numerous Central Asian countries, and was recognized by the United Nations as an International Day in 2010.
