#nowrooz

Nowruz 2026/ Tehran/ Iran/Photos: France press

Happy Nowruz, Happy spring 🌱🪻

Nowruz means “New Day“ It is a holiday of spring and renewal, also known as Persian New Year.

Nowruz begins at the exact moment of the vernal equinox, commencing the start of the spring when night and day are of equal length.

It’s the last Tuesday of winter! Why is it important, you ask? ITS CHARSHABE SURI Y’ALL!! PREPARE YOUR BONFIRESS!!

Charshanbe Suri (often translates to The Scarlet Wednesday) is an ancient Persian tradition which takes place on the last Wednesday eve of the winter. On Tuesday night, people gather around in an open space and start making bonfires. After lighting them up, each person jumps over the fire multiple times while singing zardie man az to, sorkhie to az man which means let my yellowness be yours and your redness be mine. Fire is a symbol of light and energy, so by jumping over it, you ask the fire to take away your paleness (yellow being a symbol of sickness) and give its energy and redness to you. This is a symbolic ritual to purify one’s soul and get rid of negativity.

People celebrating Charshanbe Souri in different cities of Iran

The cause of this celebration is to renew your spirit for the new year. The Persian calendar is based on nature, as it starts on the first day of spring which is called Nowrooz and translates to new day. With Nowrooz being a celebration of earth’s revival, people try to do the same by cleaning and redecorating their houses, buying new clothes and planning changes for the new year. By celebrating Charshanbe Suri, like their dining rooms and gardens, their souls are cleansed and ready to welcome spring.

Charshane Suri also includes another old tradition called Ghashogh Zani which means “spoon banging”. Similar to trick or treat, people wear a blank white sheet with two holes as eyes and bang a metal spoon to a bowl, going door-to-door asking for candy and nuts. Although this tradition is no longer relevant in Iran, some people are trying to bring it back, by performing it with groups of students in schools and small gatherings in parks.