Navroz

Mobed Firouzgary Sends a Message for Navroz: ´While wishing all good health and happiness, here are my personal thoughts. Novrooz is spanned by a month of Celebrations, 10 days prior is a house cleaning, including sweeping away dust of grudges and ReNewal of affected friendships, shopping, sprouting seeds, remembering All Souls, visiting the nearest public park. I sincerely pray that the world will be blessed with Willpower to create THE UNITED NATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS.´

Navroz in Ancient Persia: Firdausi, in his Shah Nameh, Book of Kings, attributes the origin of Navroz to the legendary King Jamshed of the Peshdadian dynasty in Iran. “The legend follows that the King sought the help of astronomers and mathematicians who devised a calendar, the ‘Tacquim-e-Nowrooze-e-Sheheriyari’. The King decided that Navroz or the New Year would start on the Vernal Equinox when night and day were of equal duration.” 

Across Central Asia: Sprouted grain grown especially for Navroz is carried with baked bread in Tajikistan while Reza of Balkh enjoys Poppies growing wild in Afghanistan.  According to Prof. Mary Boyce, the Younger Avestan names suggest festivals of the pastoral and farming year, in honour of  the seven Amesha Spenta or Immortal Archangels. “Thus, Navroze celebrates the coming together of the seven elements or the  ‘Amesha Spenta’ who are the guardians of creation.”

Navroz in India: Smiling into the mirror means smiles all the year- a wish for Navroz is made by Shernaz Lilaowala of Bombay, while the Yezdi Karanjia intergenerational family have created their own Haft Seen Table in Surat, India.

Festive Food: Persian ‘Toots’ shaped like mulberries & Parsi Badam ni Boi in the shape of a fish are served for good luck, good health & happiness. Shared with American neighbours they introduced the festival in a new home.  In Kulaab, South Tajikistan baked sweets are popular, while Down Under, Australian Zarthushtis enjoy a good roast on this day. 

From Winter’s Reign to the Victory of Spring: Galina Woodova of Lahij, Azerbaijan explains the significance of cold winter turning into the scents and colours of Spring. 

From Snow to Spring: From the cold Chicago Planetarium to Houston, & jackets to garas, Zoroastrians celebrate Navroz in their own styles & across generations.

Traditional Dances and Crafts have been revived across Central Asia: Street dances & silk dresses welcome Navroz in Azerbaijan.

Painted Eggs- A Navroz Custom: Few remember that Easter Eggs originated in Central Asia long before being adopted by Christianity. Painted eggs are a tradition now revived across all countries celebrating

Colour & Significance:  Colour & dance are one part of Navroz in Tajikistan while the significance of new sprouts & new life is another part. Courtesy Esfandiar Adineh & Daryoosh Akbarzadeh

Navroz across Continents:  An Australian Navroz Table reflects solemnity while women dance in gay abandon in Fars, Iran Courtesy Anya Panthaky & Dr. Daryoosh Akbarzadeh