2. The oldest of Iranian traditions, Nowruz recalls the
cosmological and mythological times of Iran. Its founder is a
deputy of Ahura Mazda on earth, a position that imparts to
him and the celebration a spiritual dimension and a
particular sense of secular authority. The celebration is
organized according to the dynamics of love between the
Creator and his creation, the material world.
The word "Nowruz" is a compound of two Persian words,
"now" which has the same etymology as the English word
"new" and means new, and the word "ruz" which means
both "day" and "time." Literally meaning the "new day,"
nowruz is usually translated as "new year."
The Persian Nowruz begins on the first day of spring
(usually the 21st of March).
3. Sofreh-i Nowruz
A few days before the arrival of Nowruz, a rather large table cloth
is spread on the floor of the main room of the house and the
following items are placed on it:
4. Haftsin or seven edible things the names of which in Persian
begin with the letter "sin" or "s" are placed in a tray next to
each other on the Sofreh.
Sib , Somaq , Sir , Samanu , Senjed , Serkeh and Sabzeh are the
usual edible items from among which seven are chosen. The
seven "sin"s symbolically recall Ahura Mazda and the six
Amesha Spentas who help him regulate the affairs of man
according to the "din" or order prescribed by Ahura Mazda's
Ahuric Order.
5. Samanu sweet pudding made from wheat-symbolizing affluence
Senjed the dried fruit of the oleaster tree - symbolizing love
Sir garlic - symbolizing medicine
Sib apples - symbolizing beauty and health
Somaq sumac berries - symbolizing (the color of) sunrise
Serkeh vinegar - symbolizing age and patience
Sabzeh Wheat or barley sprouts - symbolizing rebirth
6. Persian Poem
Ghazal
Ghazal is a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a
refrain, with each line sharing the same meter. A ghazal may be
understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss or
separation and the beauty of love in spite of that pain. The
form is ancient, originating in 6th-century Arabic verse. It is
derived from the Arabian panegyric qasida. The structural
requirements of the ghazal are similar in stringency to those of
the Petrarchan sonnet. In style and content it is a genre that
has proved capable of an extraordinary variety of expression
around its central themes of love and separation. It is one of
the principal poetic forms which the Indo-Perso-Arabic
civilization offered to the eastern Islamic world.
It is common in ghazals for the poet's name to be featured in
the last verse
7. HAFEZ
Khāja Shamsu Dīn Muhammad Hāfez-e
Shīrāzī known by his pen name Hāfez ;
was a Persian lyric poet. His collected
works composed of series of Persian
poetry (Divan) are to be found in the
homes of most Persian speakers in
Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan , as
well as elsewhere in the world, who
learn his poems by heart and use them
as proverbs and sayings to this day. His
life and poems have been the subject
of much analysis, commentary and
interpretation, influencing post-
fourteenth century Persian writing
more than any other author.
8. I said I long for thee ; You said your sorrows will end
Be my moon, rise up for me ; Only if it will ascend.
I said, from lovers learn ; How with compassion burn
Beauties, you said in return ; Such common tricks transcend.
Your visions, I will oppose ; My mind's paths, I will close
You said, this night-farer knows ; Another way will descend.
With the fragrance of your hair; I'm lost in my world's affair
You said, if you care, you dare ; On its guidance can depend.
I said hail to that fresh air ; That the morning breeze may share
Cool is that breeze, you declare ; With beloved's air may blend.
I said, your sweet and red wine ; Granted no wishes of mine
You said, in service define ; Your life, and your time spend.
I said, when will your kind heart ; Thoughts of friendship start?
Said, speak not of this art ; Until it's time for that trend.
I said, happiness and joy ; Passing time will destroy.
Said, Hafiz, silence employ ; Sorrows too will end my friend.
12. Persian Religion
Zoroastrianism also called Mazdaism and Magianism, is
a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of
prophet Zoroaster (also known as Zarathustra,in Avestan)
and was formerly among the world's largest religions.It
was probably founded some time before the 6th century
BCE in the eastern part of ancient Greater Iran.
In Zoroastrianism, the Creator Ahura Mazda is all good,
and no evil originates from him. Thus, in Zoroastrianism
good and evil have distinct sources, with evil (druj) trying
to destroy the creation of Mazda (asha), and good trying
to sustain it.
13. Faravahar, symbol of Ahura Mazda
Good Thoughts
Good Words Good Deeds
Faravahar is one of the best-known symbols of
Zoroastrianism, the state religion of ancient Iran. This
religious-cultural symbol was adapted by the Pahlavi
dynasty to represent the Iranian nation.
