It is somewhat shocking that the holiday is still so beloved due to his Zoroastrian roots and the efforts of the Soviet Union to eradicate religious affiliated holidays. Novruz is a non-Islamic holiday that was celebrated as early as 3,000 B.C. by the Sumerians. There are also accounts of the Babylonians, Elams (South Persia), Akkadians, and Sassanids celebrating the holiday. Archaeologists have even found depictions of Novruz celebrations on the walls of the royal palace in Persepolis that can be traced to 487 B.C., which were left by Darius the Great, king of the Achaemenian period. Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism, introduced Novruz as a holiday to celebrate the Lord of Wisdom and the holy fire on the Spring Equinox. Traces of the fire practices held by the Zoroastrians can still be seen in the festival today when people jump over bonfires as part of the celebrations.
Modern day Novruz can be traced back to the Sassanid Period, which was the last Persian empire before the Arab conquest. The Sassanids started celebrating Novruz five days prior to New Year. The significance of the five days can be found in the calendar prepared by Zoroaster. As an astronomer, Zoroaster reformed the calendar from a solar/lunar year into a solar year, with twelve months of thirty days—this left 5 days over at the end of the year. It was believed in those five days that guardian angels would descend upon earth to visit their human counterparts. Before the angels could arrive, a major spring cleaning was done and bon fires were set on rooftops at night to let the angels know the family was prepared for the visit.
Novruz is often associated with the symbolism of rebirth and renewal. Spring marks the time when the oppressive cold retreats to make way for the pleasantness of spring. Therefore, trees are pruned, fields and houses are cleaned, rugs are washed, furniture is cleaned, the interior of houses are repainted, and every person buys at least one new set of clothes. The new outfit is then worn to visit family members and friends during the celebrations.
Delicious national pastries, such as shakarbura and pakhlava are prepared. Also, wheat is fried with kishmish (raisins) and govurga (nuts). At least five “national dishes” are prepared to eat for the holiday meal. The festive decorative table will include some of the following items:
- Khoncha—a large silver or copper tray
- Samani—sprouted wheat that is grown in a small vase, which is placed in the center of the khoncha and symbolizes rebirth
- Candles—symbolizes enlightenment and happiness
- Dyed Eggs—symbolize rebirth/renewal and fertility
- Coins—symbolizes prosperity
- Goldfish-symbolizes life
- Mirror
- Sacred Book (Quran for Islam, Gathas for Zoros)
- Garlic—symbolizes medicine
- Apples—symbolizes beauty and health
- Sumac fruit—symbolizes the color of sunrise
