Parsi New Year 2024: Celebrations and traditions from around the world
To mark the beginning of spring and the renewal of nature, the Parsi community around the world celebrates their New Year, also called Navroz, meaning “New Day.” While globally it is celebrated around the spring equinox on March 21, the Parsi community in India follows the Shahenshahi calendar, which will move the celebration to August 16 in 2024.
The celebration is also included on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the United Nations General Assembly in 2010 proclaimed March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz. Countries with Persian cultural influence, including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Turkey, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, celebrate the holiday.
History and celebrations of Navroz
This festival, which has its roots in Zoroastrianism, one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions, has its origins in ancient Persia. According to legend, King Jamshed saved humanity from a devastating winter, inaugurating a new era marked by this joyous occasion.
India, particularly in Maharashtra and Gujarat, is home to a significant Parsi population. These two states are the most lively of the celebrations, marked by spirituality, family ties and culinary delights. Parsis clean their houses, decorate them with flowers and visit fire temples (agiaries) to offer prayers and seek blessings. The day is also marked by a sumptuous feast with Parsi delicacies such as Prawn Patio, Mori Dar and Patra Ni Macchi.
Navroz, or Parsi New Year Haft Sin focuses on the four Fs: fire, fragrance, food and friendship. Therefore, on the Haft Sin table, apart from the usual seven items, it is also important to place items such as a holy book, a mirror, incense, fruits and coins to reflect wishes for a prosperous year. Many Parsis also contribute to charitable causes as part of the celebrations.
Although the Parsi diaspora has spread across the world, the spirit of Navroz remains strong. In countries such as Iran, the festival is a national holiday celebrated with elaborate rituals and traditional foods. In some countries, people engage in symbolic preparations with fire and water and ritual dances that sometimes involve jumping over bonfires or carrying fire sticks.
The tradition of the Haft Sin table
A quintessential symbol of Navroz is the Haft Sin table, a beautifully laid table with seven elements beginning with the letter “S” in Farsi. Each element has a symbolic meaning:
Sabzeh: Wheatgrass, symbolizing rebirth and renewal.
Samanu: A sweet pudding made from wheat, representing abundance and fertility.
Understood: Dried wild olive fruit, which symbolizes love and victory.
See: Apple, symbol of beauty, health and knowledge.
Serkeh: Vinegar, which represents age and experience.
Mister: Garlic, symbol of good health and protection against evil.
Summary: Sumac berry, which represents dawn and patience.
Other common additions include a mirror, a candle, colored eggs, coins, and a book of poetry.
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