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About Norooz |
The ceremonial cloth is set up in each household. Troubadours, referred to as HAJI FIROUZ, disguise themselves with makeup and wear brightly colored outfits of satin. These HAJI FIROUZ, singing and dancing, parade as a carnival through the streets with tambourines, kettle drums, and trumpets to spread good cheer and the news of the coming new year
The origins of NOROOZ are unknown, but they go back several thousand years predating the Achaemenian Dynasty. The ancient Iranians had a festival called "Farvardgan" which lasted ten days, and took place at the end of the solar year. It appears that this was a festival of sorrow and mourning, signifying the end of life while the festival of Norooz, at the beginning of spring signified rebirth, and was a time of great joy and celebration The other ancient symbolic representation of NOROOZ is based around the idea of the triumph of good over evil. According to the Shah-nameh (The Book of Kings), the national Iranian epic by Ferdowsi, NOROOZ came into being during the reign of the mythical King Jamshid; when he defeated the evil demons (divs) seizing their treasures, becoming master of everything but the heavens and bringing prosperity to his people. To reach the heavens, Jamshid ordered a throne to be built with the jewels he had captured. He then sat on the throne and commanded the demons to lift him up into the sky. When the sun's rays hit the throne, the sky was illuminated with a multitude of colours. The people were amazed at the King's power and they showered him with even more jewels and treasures. This day of great celebration was named NOROOZ , and was recognised as the first day of the year Chahar Shanbeh Soori
The Festival of "Chaharshanbeh Soori" is Persian and celebrated by Persians for over 2500 years. Charshanbeh Soori is neither a religeous ceremony nor a political one, it is a celebration of ending a dark and cold season - "Winter" and starting a new brighter and more hopeful one - "Spring". The tradition includes people going into the streets and alleys to make bonfires, and jump over them while singing the traditional song Zardî-ye man az to, sorkhî-ye to az man (literally: "My yellowness for you, your redness for me; ", but figuratively: My paleness (pain, sickness) for you (the fire), your strength (health) for me Give me your beautiful red color Serving different kinds of pastry and nuts known as Ajīl-e Moshkel-Gosha (lit. The problem-solving nuts) is the Chahārshanbe Soorī way of giving thanks for the previous year's health and happiness, while exchanging any remaining paleness and evil for the warmth and vibrancy of the fire. According to tradition, the living are visited by the spirit of their ancestors on the last days of the year, and many children wrap themselves in shrouds, symbolically re-enacting the visits. They also run through the streets banging on pots and pans with spoons and knocking on doors to ask for treats. The ritual is called qashogh-zany (spoon beating) and symbolizes the beating out of the last unlucky Wednesday of the year.
The seven items are Sabzeh (grown wheat or lentil) for rebirth Samanu (flour and sugar) for sweetness of life Sekeh (coin) for prosperity and wealth Senjed ( dried fruit of Lotus tree) for love Seer (garlic) for health Somaq ( sumac berries) for warmth and Serkeh ( vinegar) for patience
Also there other items on the Norooz spread such as painted Eggs, which represent fertility, a Mirror that represents image and reflection of life, and a Goldfish in a bowl that represents life
SeezDah BeDar, Sizdeh Bedar, Dodging the 13th day of New Year On the thirteenth day of the new year, which also marks the end of the Norooz break for the school children, families leave their houses and head for the outdoors where they eat, play games, and celebrate a happy and healthy holiday season. This tradition is called Seezdah Bedar (Seezdah means thirteen) which in English translates to "getting rid of thirteen". This fun and exciting outing involves all family members and is intended to end the holiday season on a relaxing and positive note. The concept of avoiding the number thirteen is mainly to symbolize the will and power to deal with all evil in the new year
The two weeks long Norooz celebration ends with SeezDeh Bedar. SeezDeh means Thirteen and SeezDeh Bedar is the process of getting over with or passing over the thirteenth day of the New Year. (Some believe 13 being an unlucky number) This day is usually celebrated outdoor in a picnic style. This is the last day of New Year celebration and life will return to normal the following day. Schools will open, shops will start on their regular hours and offices and Government agencies are back in normal operation. So, this is the last chance to spend some time with family and friends and enjoy the fresh smell of Spring Sizdah-Bedar is also believed to be a special day to ask for rain. In ancient Iran, every day had its own name, and belonged to a different angel. The 13th of Farvardin belonged to the angel of rain. This angel is depicted as a horse. Sizdah-Bedar is also a day for competitive games. Games involving horses were often chosen as a victory of a horse represented, the angle of rain. On this day, girls & boys tie a knot with grass and make wishes perhaps for a husband or wife. When the knot is opened (it is believed that) their luck will open and their wishes will come true. Newly weds also tie a grass knot making wishes for a baby, a house, or whatever is on their Have-To-Have list
An interesting ritual performed at the end of the picnic day is to throw away the Sabzee from the Norooz Haft Seen table. The Sabzee is supposed to have collected all the sickness, pain and ill fate hiding on the path of the family throughout the coming year! Touching someone else's Sabzee on this thirteenth day or bringing it home is therefore not a good idea and may result in absorbing their pain and hardship Clich here for the English Poster
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