Nowruz falls on March 20, 2025, at 5:01 a.m. EST (2:31 p.m. IST) and corresponds with the vernal equinox. Also termed as the “new day,” Nowruz is the Persian New Year, a movement that has been celebrated for more than 3000 years. Nowruz symbolizes the arrival spring in addition to od renewal and rebirth.
Nowruz is celebrated by approximately 300 million people worldwide which includes communities in Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghansitan, Central Asia, as well as Kurdish, Turkic Uyghur, and Parsi groups.
Nowruz is marked by festive meals as well as families and friends visiting one another. Cleaning is also done during Nowruz. Traditions also include wearing new clothes along with preparing a “Haft Sin” table which includes seven special items representing health, prosperity and rebirth.
At Nowruz clean destiny is also set for the entire year. The entire Nowruz celebration lasts for 13 days. To get rid of bad luck, people head outdoors on the last day where they embrace nature while doing activities which brings joy and reflection during the years.
Nowruz 2025: What Does It Mean?
Considered one of the most important holidays in Persian culture, Nowruz, or the Persian New Year, denotes the arrival of spring. Like many prominent holidays, Nowruz marks the beginning of new cycles. The word “Nowruz” in Persian means “new day”, and as at this time of the year the nature renews, Nowruz is hope as well as the time requiring great rejuvenation.
Significance of Nowruz
- Cultural Heritage: Nowruz commemorated for more than 3 millennia has been listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. Zoroastrianism’s core teachings of nature and rebirth are associated with it.
- Celebration Timing: Nowruz is celebrated at the exact time of the vernal equinox, usually on the 20th or 21st of March. This calendar date marks the Persian New Year, which signifies day and night being of equal duration, and spring’s commencement.
- Global Observance: Nowruz is predominantly celebrated in Iran; however, many ethnic groups in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, and parts of Central Asia also celebrate it. It is commonly recognized as a national holiday in those regions.
Nowruz : Traditions and Customs
- Preparation: In anticipation of Nowruz, families undertake a deep cleaning of the house (known as “khaneh tekani”) to symbolize a fresh start.
- Haft-Seen Table: An important custom includes setting up peculiar Haft-Seen tables, which have seven items starting with the letter “S” in Persian and symbolizing different health, wealth, and love for the new year.
- Festivities: Family get-togethers, traditional meals, music, dancing, and other outdoor activities like picnicking are all part of the joyous festivities. The thirteenth day after Nowruz, known as “Sizdah Bedar,” is particularly associated with nature excursions.
- Sports and Games: Of equal importance within the festive merry making is traditional sport which helps to build community spirit as a result of friendly competition in games such as wrestling and tug of war.
When Does Nowruz Fall in 2025?
Nowruz in 2025 falls on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 12:31 PM Tehran time (UTC+3:30), coinciding with the spring equinox
Nowruz 2025: History, Traditions & Celebration Guide
The beginning date of the Iranian calendar starts on the equinox of March that marks the commencement of spring and usually falls on the 21st of March. Nowruz is recognized as “the first day of the official New Year when the sun enters Aries before noon,” according to Iranian meterologist Tusi.
Besides, it also signifies the commencement of Farvardin, the first month of the Iranian solar calendar which is the reigning calendar of Iran and was utilized in Afghanistan in the past.
What is the History of Nowruz?
Ancient Origins: Combined with it being celebrated as Zoroastrian Nowruz likely originated late in the second or in the first millennium, BCE.
Having been celebrated from Achaemenian dynasty (c. 559–330 BCE), carving inscriptions in Parthian and later Sasanian empires also mark it’s observation. The festival is associated with the spring equinox, representing resurrection as well as victory of light over evil forces.
Noteworthy Modern Observance: Nowruz became celebrated at a branching level in 2010 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, renowned from the different factions from Iran, Central Asia and many regions beyond. It still continues to be recognized out of religious context which goes deeply beyond the borders of culture being celebrated by Zoroastrians, Bahá’ís, as well as Muslims from all walks of life.
Traditions and Customs
Nowruz Haft Seen: Setting up the Haft-Seen Table is an essential activity done in preparation for Ahora. The table should have 7 items beginning with ‘S’ and should hold special meaning for the person preparing it. For instance, ‘Seer’ denotes health whereas ‘Samanu’ signifies prosperity and is also a form of sweet wheat pudding, while ‘Sabzeh’ literally sprouts and indicates growth.
Fire Jumping Festival (Chaharshanbe Suri): A day before Nowruz, on the last Wednesday, the fire jumping festival is held where participants celebrate by jumping over a bonfire. This act is said to cleanse the participant of negativity and rejuvenate warmth and good health.
From the first day of Nowruz, family and friends dedicate their time celebrating together. Younger family members usually visit their elders first in hopes of blessings for the new year. It is also popular to give or receive gifts known as Eidi during these family visits (Did-o-Bazdid).
Culinary Delights
Nowruz celebrations include special dishes that vary by region but often feature:
- Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi: Fish served with rice seasoned with vegetables representing wealth.
- Kuku Sabzi: A nutritious herb frittata.
- Reshteh Polo: Rice infused with noodles which symbolizes luck.
- Sholeh Zard: Happiness can be represented by saffron rice pudding.
To celebrate and preserve its value, cultural and historical United Nations proclaimed March 21 as “Nowruz International Day.” This was officially designated by resolution 64/253, within the framework of the General Assembly of the United Nations, in February 2010.
Nowruz 2025: Who Celebrates This Persian New Year?
Nowruz is celebrated in numerous countries, including:
- Iran: The country considers Nowruz celebrations symbolic where it is a public holiday and there is great cultural significance.
- Afghanistan: It features public celebrations and festivities. Celebrations are also referred to as “Nawruz” in Afghanistan.
- Central Asia: Nowruz is celebrated in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan with each country having unique traditions associated with the public holiday.
- Caucasus Region: Music and dance festivals are held in Azerbaijan and Georgia to celebrate Nowruz.
- Middle East: In Iraq and Syria particularly in the Kurdish region, bonfires and feasts are common in the celebration of Nowruz.
- South Asia: Nowruz is mainly observed by Parsis which are the descendants of Zoroastrians from Persia in India and Pakistan.
Nowruz 2025: What is Chaharshanbe Suri?
Chaharshanbe Suri, or the Festival of Fire, is a festive Persian fire holiday celebrated on the eve of the last Tuesday before Nowruz, which is the Persian New Year. The festival has strong elements of Zoroastrian fire worship, signifying renewal and welcoming the spring season.
1. Etymology:
Fires play an important role throughout the festive activities and celebrations of Chaharshanbe Suri which literally translates to Red Wednesday. Its name comes from the two words Chaharshanbe, meaning “Wednesday”, and Suri, which can be interpreted as red or festive.
2. Historical Significance:
It is connected to several pre-Islamic customs, as the festival has been celebrated since ancient times and associates fire, a symbol of pureness and vigor, with the change from winter, darkness, to spring, light.
3. Main Traditions:
Over the Fire Jumping: “Zardi-ye man az to, sorkhi-ye to az man” or “Take my paleness and give me your redness” are phrases sung while worshipping bonfires. Jumping over bonfires is believed to bring good fortune and help improve one’s health. This custom fire jumping is done in hope for health and prosperity in the coming year.
Child Spoon-Banging (Qashoq-Zani): Children partake in this custom during the first months of spring to celebrate the new year. Kids dress up and bang spoons on bowls and plates to collect treats which is similar to trick or treating.
Fāl: This type of fortune telling involves placing personal items and notes with prophecies into a jug. One child pulls out an item from the jug and the uncontestable prediction is revealed by the stub corresponding to the item pulled.
4. Celebratory Atmosphere:
The night showcases the beauty of fireworks, music, and community dancing. All of it done to enjoy the Nowruz festivities. It enhances the joyous community feeling preceding Nowruz.
Nowruz 2025: What Does Sizdah Be-dar Mean?
Sizdah Be-dar, or “Nature Day” is celebrated on the 13th day of Farvardin, marking the last day of Nowruz, the Persian New Year.
As with most holidays, Sizdah Be-dar has its significance on a Persian perspective, both culturally and traditionally passed down for generations. In 2025, Sizdah Be-dar will fall on April 2nd, 2025.
1. Meaning and Significance
Cultural Importance: Sizdah Be-dar marks the victory of spring over winter and depicts a period for rejuvenation and bonding with the elements. It is said to help protect the accrued negative energy from the previous year.
Historical Roots: Sizdah Be-dar is an ancient Persian celebration, deeply linked with Zoroastrian customs. It is related to the god Tir, the patron of rain and fertility, underscoring his significance to agricultural communities.
2. Celebration Practices
Outdoor picnics: relatives and friends come together in parks and gardens or their favorite outdoor spaces for a picnic. This social pastime helps strengthen social relationships and facilitates an appreciation of nature.
Throwing Away Sabzeh: A major ritual includes throwing away the sprouted greens (sabzeh) which were part of the Haft-Seen table during Nowruz. In striking contrast to the sabzeh’s sprouted state, Nowruz signals letting go of misfortunes and negativity the past year brought into one’s life.
Knotting Greens: Unmarried girls often knot blades of grass with the hopes of being loved and cherished. This wish custom signifies aspirations for meaningful bonds in the years to come.
Pranks and Jokes: Like that of April Fools’ day, Sizdah Be-dar involves light-hearted jokes and pranks shared among friends and family that enhances the spirit of celebration.
Celebration of Nature: Also known as the celebration of nature, the day is focused on the appreciation of the environment. It also raises the attention and value people give to conserving natural resources.
