Happy Nowruz or "Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak" to all of my friends and colleagues. May God bless you with good health, peace and joy in this new year, which starts at 1:28:27 am PST on Sun., March 21, 2021. In Iran, this cultural festival lasts for thirteen days. In other countries it goes for 50 days, and in some it lasts for four weeks, with each Tuesday celebrating a different element: fire, earth, water and air.
Nowruz is literally translated as “new day” and acknowledges the spring equinox and the beginning of the Persian, Iranian and Muslim New Year. Prior to Nowruz people do a major cleaning, known as "shaking down the house" to prepare.
A Haftsin table is set with seven auspicious symbolic foods and elements that each start with the letter "s": sonbol (hyacinth), sabzeh (grass) sabzeh (sprouted lentil or wheat), which symbolises rebirth; seer (garlic) for good health; serekh (vinegar) for patience; seeb (apple) for beauty; and samanu, a sweet paste made from germinated wheat. The display also traditionally features colored hard-boiled eggs and a goldfish (representing life), a mirror, candles and a holy book.
People from all walks of life join together for the holiday of Nowruz. Nowruz traces its roots back to Zoroastrian beliefs. While many Muslims celebrate Nowruz, it is considered a cultural rather than religious holiday. National Geographic deemed March 21, 2021 International Nowruz Day.
One exciting holiday tradition is "jumping the fire" where celebrants jump over a small fire which symbolizes the burning up of the past year's wrongs and bolding jumping into a fresh new year.
Nowruz as an important cultural holiday that has been officially recognized and celebrated in the White House, Senate and House of Representatives since 2010.
Thanks for reading "Happy Nowruz! Happy Persian New Year March 21, 2021".
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