Nowruz
| Nowruz | |
|---|---|
A Haft-Sin arrangement, traditionally displayed for Nowruz. Azerbaijanis in traditional Nowruz outfits Kurdish girl in Palangan, Iran, during Nowruz festival preparations Kazakhs in traditional outfits during a Nowruz musical performance Citizens from the Commonwealth of Independent States dancing in Moscow, Russia, for Nowruz festivities | |
| Observed by | Iranian peoples and diaspora (originally) Various ethnic groups (currently) Current countries:
|
| Type | Cultural, religious |
| Significance | Vernal equinox; first day of a new year on the Iranian calendars and the Solar Hijri calendar |
| Date | Between 19 and 22 March |
| 2024 date | 03:06:26, 20 March (UTC) |
| 2025 date | 09:01:30, 20 March (UTC) |
| 2026 date | 14:46:20, 20 March (UTC) |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Chaharshanbe Suri, Sizdebedar |
_01.jpg){kind=link}
| Nawrouz, Novruz, Nowrouz, Nowrouz, Nawrouz, Nauryz, Nooruz, Nowruz, Navruz, Nevruz, Nowruz, Navruz | |
|---|---|
| Country | Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan |
| Reference | 02097 |
| Region | Asia and the Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2016 (4th session) |
| List | Representative |
Nowruz (Persian: نوروز, Iranian Persian: [noːˈɾuːz], lit. 'New Day') is the Iranian or Persian New Year. Historically, it has been observed by Iranian peoples, but is now celebrated by many ethnicities worldwide. It is a festival based on the Northern Hemisphere spring equinox, which marks the first day of a new year on the Iranian calendars and the currently used Solar Hijri calendar; it usually coincides with a date between 19 March and 22 March on the Gregorian calendar.
The roots of Nowruz lie in Zoroastrianism, and it has been celebrated by many peoples across West Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia for over 3,000 years. In the modern era, while it is observed as a secular holiday by most celebrants, Nowruz remains a holy day for Zoroastrians, Baháʼís, and Ismaʿili Shia Muslims.
For the Northern Hemisphere, Nowruz marks the beginning of spring. Customs for the festival include various fire and water rituals, celebratory dances, gift exchanges, and poetry recitations, among others; these observances differ between the cultures of the diverse communities that celebrate it.