# Nowruz By [baraan.eth](https://paragraph.com/@baraan) ยท 2023-03-21 --- ![Nowruz Symbol](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/33891c86fc1067aa9fab49dd4171bab4257622fde7da488d623f27b1f2deb167.jpg) Nowruz Symbol Nowruz: Celebrating the Iranian New Year Nowruz is the Iranian New Year, which is celebrated annually on the first day of spring. This day marks the beginning of a new year in the Persian calendar and is a time for joyous celebration, family gatherings, and reflection on the past year. The origins of Nowruz date back to ancient Iran, where it was celebrated as a Zoroastrian festival. The holiday was later adopted by other cultures and religions, such as Islam, and is now celebrated in many parts of the world by people of various backgrounds. Preparations for Nowruz begin weeks before the actual holiday. Iranians traditionally do a thorough spring cleaning of their homes to symbolize starting the new year with a fresh slate. They also set up a Haft-Seen table, which is a table decorated with seven items that start with the Persian letter "sin". These items are meant to symbolize health, prosperity, and other blessings for the new year. On the day of Nowruz, families gather together to celebrate with food, music, and dancing. One of the most important traditions of the holiday is the practice of visiting family and friends, which is known as "Eid Didani" or "visiting the elders". This is a way to show respect and gratitude to the older generation and to strengthen family bonds. Another important aspect of Nowruz is the tradition of giving gifts, especially to children. Money or sweets are given to young family members as a way to wish them a happy and prosperous new year. Nowruz is also celebrated in many other countries, such as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan. In fact, the United Nations has recognized the holiday as an international observance of cultural heritage. It is a time to celebrate diversity and the rich cultural traditions of the Persian people and other communities around the world. In conclusion, Nowruz is a time for renewal, reflection, and joyous celebration. It is a time to come together with family and friends, show respect to elders, and express gratitude for blessings in the past year. As the Persian saying goes, "Nowruz Mobarak", or "Happy Nowruz" to all! --- *Originally published on [baraan.eth](https://paragraph.com/@baraan/nowruz)*