More than 300 million people in Iran and beyond celebrate this ancient holiday. It's tied to the spring equinox and has roots in the Persian Empire. Here's what you need to know.
Nowruz, the Persian New Year, began on Thursday, ushering in a celebration of life, renewal and rebirth that people in Iran and beyond have celebrated for generations.
More than 300 million people around the world celebrate Nowruz, which means “new day” in Persian. Many greet each other by saying “Novruzetan Piruz,” or “Wishing you a victorious Nowruz!”
The holiday, associated with the spring equinox, has its origins in the Persian Empire. People in the Balkans, the Black Sea basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East have celebrated it for more than 3,000 years.
Preparations for Nowruz are underway, said Alireza Hedayati, president of the Iranian American Society of New York, a nonprofit organization based on Long Island.
Things start to heat up “once it gets a little warmer in late February and early March,” Mr. Hedayati said. “Everyone just gets a little bit of excitement and a desire to do something.”
Here's what you need to know about one of the oldest holidays in the world:
Festive customs
In the run-up to the new year, Nowruz celebrants thoroughly clean their homes. Mr. Hedayati compared it to spring cleaning.
