— SACRED TIME —

Nowruz — Persian New Year

March 20 · Zoroastrianism · Eastern traditions

Fixed date

Esoteric and historical meaning

New Day at the equinox: victory of the light of Ahura Mazda over the frost. Principle of cosmic renewal celebrated uninterruptedly for three thousand years.

Operative mechanics — ritual acts

·Setting the Haft-sin table with seven elements starting with 'S'
·Total cleaning of the house (khaneh-tekani) in the preceding days
·Jumping over fires on the preceding Wednesday (Chaharshanbe Suri)

Traditional foods

·Sabzi polo with fish
·Wheat sprouts (sabzeh)
·Dried fruit

Offerings

·Sprouts grown and then thrown into running water on the thirteenth day

Taboos to respect

·Do not argue during the first days of the year
·Do not stay indoors on the thirteenth day

Associated symbols

Haft-sin · Mirror · Goldfish · Fire