Norooz Customs

Chahar Shanbeh Soori happens on the last Tuesday evening of the year. Every family gathers several piles of wood or brush in the streets or parks to be lit shortly after the sunset. Then all the family members line up and take turns jumping over the burning fire and singing “sorkheeyeh toe az man, Zardeeyeh man az toe’. “I give my paleness to the fire and take fire red healthy color”. Yellow or paleness symbolizes the sickness and pain and red symbolizes health. Fireworks can be heard troughout the night.

Haft Seen includes seven items which each symbolizes a wish or theme. All of them start with the Persian letter Seen or S in English. These items are Sabzeh (grown wheat or lentil) for rebirth, Samanu (flour and sugar) for sweetness of life, Sekeh (coin ) for prosperity and wealth, Senjed ( dried fruit of Lotus tree) for love, Seer (garlic) for health, Somaq ( sumac berries) for warmth and Serkeh ( vinegar) for patience. Besides, painted eggs, which represent fertility, a mirror that represents image and reflection of life, and a goldfish in a bowl that represents life, make the Haft Seen much more beautiful.

Seezdah Bedar is the 13th day of Norooz. To overcome the bad luck ,people spend the entire day out of the house with families and friends in the parks having a picnic.They throw the sabze in running water to remove the bad luck. They celebrate a happy and healthy holiday season.

Wearing new clothes,giving gifts,sending bautiful cards and messages,visiting relatives and friends,and spring cleaning are other interesting customs of Norooz Celebration.