News

Introduction

In Iran Norouz marks the beginning of the year and symbolizes nature’s renewal and rebirth after the passing of winter. It is a time when humans escape their doldrums and renew their ways by engaging in social activities and group efforts in work outside the home in the fields. Held at the beginning of the first month of spring, Farvardin, according to the Persian Calendar, Norouz as stated by Abu-Rayhan Biruni is the day of ‘new birth’ and Shams-al-din Mohammad Dameshqi calls it the ‘birth of light.’ Originally, it was a holy celebration honouring Ahura Mazda (also called Hormozd), the Zoroastrian Creator and takes place on Hormozd Day, the first day of the first month of the year, Farvardin, when all life on earth is reborn. According to the late Yahya’ Zoka’: “This Persian Holy Day (holiday) has passed through the meanders of history and survived its darkest of times to reach us in its entire splendor and is an entirely Aryan and national ritual founded upon this country’s natural environment and its people’s beliefs and world-outlook”