As winter fades in the Northern Hemisphere and days get longer, millions of people prepare to welcome the Persian New Year, Knowles.
Observed for over three,000 years, the 13-day festival combines communities from Iran, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Balkans and some Middle Eastern countries.
There is everything you need to know about traditions and their unique habits.
What is notruz?
Nowruz, meaning “new day” in Persian, marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the new year on the Persian solar calendar.
Origins dating back to three thousand years, Knowles is rooted in Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion before Christianity and Islam. It is also one of the oldest blessed holidays in the world. Many ancient festivals have faded, but Nowruz has been handed down for generations and is still widely observed today.
When the sun crosses the celestial equator, it aligns with the equinox of spring. This not only marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, but also brings about equal day and night in most places throughout the region, symbolizing renewal, balance, and new beginnings.
When will it be celebrated?
Nowruz is celebrated at the exact moment of the spring equinox as the sun crosses the celestial equator. In 2025, this will happen on Thursday, March 20th at 12:31.30pm (9:01.30 GMT).
Exact times vary worldwide:
New York, USA: 5:01 AM EDT United Arab Emirates: 1:01 PM GST India: 2:31 PM IST Azerbaijan: 1:01 PM AZT
Events usually take place between March 19th and 21st, but accurate dates and times vary slightly each year as they are based on accurate astronomical calculations.
Where is it celebrated?
Knowles are widely observed in areas influenced by Persian cultures, such as Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries (Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and more).
Additionally, the public holidays are recognized by Kurdish communities in Iraq, Syria and Turkie, as well as Parsi and Zoroastrian communities in India and Pakistan.
Parsis was a Zoroastrian and moved from Persia (modern Iran) to South Asia between the 8th and 10th centuries, mainly due to the gradually decline of Zoroastrianism following the Muslim conquest of Persia in the 7th century.
How is Nowruz celebrated?
Nowruz is a time of new beginnings, cleansing and connection, so that tradition guides those themes. The way people celebrate may differ from country to country, but some important habits are shared by many cultures.
Before the holidays, the family had deep cleaned the house to remove any bad energy and welcomed a fresh start.
On the eve of the last Wednesday before the New Year, people jump over them, symbolizing letting go of the past and stepping into the future with new energy.
The first few days of Nowruz are dedicated to visiting family and friends, exchanging gifts and sharing meals. People wear new clothes and enjoy traditional dishes such as Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi (herbly with fish) and Ash Reshteh (noodle soup).
The celebration ends on the 13th day of Knowles as the family heads out for a picnic, enjoying the fresh air and letting go of their bad luck.
What is the importance of Haft Sin tables?
The Haft Sin Table, or the table of seven things starting with the Persian letter “S” (€) is the heart of Nowruz and family traditions.
After a special fabric spreads over the table, seven items starting with the Persian word “S” have symbolic meanings and are placed on top of them.
The exact origin of this habit is unknown, but dating back to ancient Persia, people believed that certain natural elements, such as plants, fruits and spices, carried spiritual and protective properties.
Over time, these items became the standard part of Haft Sin, always following No. 7, which has a deep spiritual importance to Persian and Zoroastrian beliefs. It represents the creation, balance and the fundamental elements of life (sky, earth, water, plants, animals, fire, humans).
What does the Haft Sin table symbol mean?
Each item in the Haft Sin table has a special meaning.
Sabzeh (Sugded Wheat, Lentils, Barley) – Represents renewal and growth. It is usually grown to Nowruz and dumped on the 13th day of the festival. Samanu (sweet wheat pudding) – symbolizes patience, strength and richness. This is because it is made from wheat, which takes a long time to sprout and grow. Senjed (Dried Orester Fruit) – represents love and wisdom that is believed to promote the strength of relationships. Seeer (garlic) – A symbol of health and protection from evil. Seeb (Apple) – represents beauty and health. Serkeh (Vinegar) – symbolizes aging, patience and wisdom. SUMAC (Crushed Red Berries) – represents the victory of light over sunrise and darkness.
In addition to the seven “S” items, people often add mirrors to look back on the past year, paint eggs for fertility, goldfish for new life, and candles that symbolize light and happiness.
Some families also include poetry and prayer books, including the Qur’an, the Persian epic Shafname, and the works of the Persian poet Hafez.
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