Lets stop the time and move back to old area where a great ruler who had throne of jewels 💎 and Gold and having demons working for him,set the traditions of nowruz , how a sliver magical cup ✨ preserved the nowruz tradition and now at the modern age why children love “ uncle nowruz” character like santa clause. 🧑🎄
We would cover everything from the age of stones to modern aged culture,join me in this time travel journey ⌛
Before that lets have little introduction about what it is actually?
Introduction to Nowruz
People celebrate the new year all over the world. We clean our houses, put on new clothes, eat special foods, and greet friends and family with warm wishes for a good new year. Some people begin the new year on January 1.
Others connect the new year not just to the solar cycle but also to the phases of the moon 🌝. And some look forward to the spring equinox, around March 20, when the sun is over the equator, and day and night are exactly the same length of time. The Persian people call that day Nowruz, the New Day of the New Year.
The celebrations of Nowruz are all about the renewal of the Earth, which happens with the arrival of spring.
The traditions and activities of Nowruz are similar to other spring festivals, like Easter, celebrated by Christians, and Sham Al-Naseem, an ancient holiday in Egypt that goes back to the time of the Pharaoh.
Historical Beginnings of Nowruz
.The roots of Nowruz can be traced back to the ancient religious tradition of Zoroastrianism ( its old iranian religion)
Who was zoroates?
Zoroaster was a prophet of ancient Persia, whose teachings laid the foundation for the religion known as Zoroastrianism, which largely dominated the land of Iran until the arrival of Islam after the fall of the Sassanian Empire .
Zoroastrianism
This is the only present museum of Zoroastrianism ,presnt in baku presenting all the history of teachings of Zoroastrianism.
Zoroastrianism Teachings
Zoroastrianism teaches important ideas, such as the balance between good and evil in the world and the strong connection between humans and nature.
This ancient religion was once widely practiced in Persia (modern-day Iran). Although there are only a few Zoroastrian communities left today, the largest ones are found in southern Iran and India.
What is Zoroastrian Ceremonial Bowl, and how it preserved Nowruz tradition for years but later destroyed by Alexander
This silver ceremonial bowl was made around 1875 CE for a Persian (Parsi) family living in Burma.
- Symbols and Scenes
The bowl features important symbols such as the winged disc and the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda. It also includes scenes from the reign of Persian king Darius I (550–486 BCE), based on ancient rock carvings from Bisotun and Persepolis. - Persepolis and Nowruz
Persepolis was a royal city during the Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BCE), where Nowruz celebrations were held. It was destroyed by Alexander the Great but remained an important symbol for Persians, called the Throne of Jamshid (Takht-e-Jamshid). - Why These Scenes Were Relevant
Even though the bowl was made nearly 2,000 years later, the scenes from Persepolis were still meaningful. They symbolized Persian pride, culture, and important traditions, especially for the Zoroastrian community, which continued to honor its ancient heritage and value.
Do you know ?
Nowruz themes and rituals derive from the Zoroastrian religion. Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest religions, possibly dating back as far as 1,500 BCE. Many Zoroastrian beliefs are based on the tension between good and evil, creation and destruction. Zoroastrians believe in one god.
What is Ahura Mazzda and Angra Mainyu?
Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu considered the forces of good and evil.☯
Ahura “ Good forces” and Angra “ destructive forces “ is the symbol of good and bad and this tradition and religion believe on the balance of both like chinese ying yang represents good and bad ☯.
It represents in every good there is bad hidden in it and in every bad something good is hidden in it even if it is small. ☯
This duality is reflected in many Nowruz traditions, symbolizing the constant battle between good and evil.
🏰 Palace for hosting Grand Nowruz celebrations in old time ( Palace of persepolis)
The ancient Persian palace of Persepolis was built to host grand celebrations like Nowruz. It was not just a place of power but also a site where the triumph of good over evil, as symbolized by Zoroastrian beliefs, was honored.
Palace of persepolis reconstruction
Palace of persepolis is the most historical place and most beautiful attraction for the tourists.This historical place is under constration and remodeling for tourists .
Here is how palace of persepolis would have looked like.
Arrival of Islamic religion and Nowruz
Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion in ancient Iran until the 600s CE when Islam arrived with the Arab conquest. Despite this shift, Nowruz continued to be celebrated as a secular tradition by blending with Islamic customs, allowing it to endure for centuries.
Celebration Of First Nowruz :King jamshid first nowruz celebrations
- King Jamshid: The Mythological Leader Golden Era
The first Nowruz, according to the Persian epic Shahnameh, was celebrated by the mythological King Jamshid. He was believed to have brought peace and harmony to his people through his divine right to rule, known as farr. His reign is considered a golden era for the people of Iran, and the celebration of Nowruz marked the beginning of a new, prosperous year under his rule.
- The Shahnameh: Preserving Iranian Identity
The Shahnameh, written by the poet Hakim Abolqasem Ferdowsi, is one of the most important sources regarding the origins of Nowruz. Ferdowsi’s work, blending myth, legend, and history, was created to preserve Iranian culture and identity. The epic highlights the stories of legendary kings like Jamshid and heroes like Rustam. - Ferdowsi’s Legacy
At the end of the Shahnameh, Ferdowsi writes that his thirty years of hard labor in composing the epic have helped revive Persia through the power of the Persian language.
At the end of the Shahnameh, Ferdowsi writes:
Much hard labor have I done for thirty years In the end I have revived Persia through this Persian verse. I shall not pass away since I will remain alive Through the seeds of this language I have spread everywhere. (Firdowsi 940 – 1019/1025)
Majestic King Jamshed and His jewel Thorne ; nowruz celebrations
According to the Persian epic Shahnameh, the first Nowruz was celebrated by King Jamshid, a mythical ruler believed to have brought peace, happiness, and prosperity to his people. Jamshid had a special divine power called farr, which protected the people of Iran from evil and kept the country safe.
He is credited with founding human civilization, creating agriculture, textiles, armor, weapons, medicine, and even perfume. He organized society by establishing different social classes, ensuring everyone had a role to play. He even tamed demons, assigning them work to help build and improve the community.
- The First Nowruz Celebration
Once Jamshid had built a thriving civilization, it was time for a grand celebration. On the first day of spring, he created a beautiful jeweled throne, which was lifted to the sky by demons. Sitting on his throne high in the heavens, Jamshid smiled as all creatures surrounded him in admiration. This moment marked the very first Nowruz, a day of joy and renewal that is still celebrated today as the Persian New Year.
Modern Adaptations: Uncle Nowruz
To keep the spirit of Nowruz alive, it evolved over time. Similar to Santa Claus, Uncle Nowruz, a figure with a white beard, brings gifts and toys to children during the celebrations. This adaptation helped preserve the essence of Nowruz, allowing it to remain a joyous, family-centered holiday without losing its cultural significance .
Conclusion
It is celebrated all over the world, from Iran to Turkey,Pakistan, India and even south Asia. People perform different rituals and celebrate reading book of ferdous. They prepare food and welcome new year by preparing their homes and saying goodbye to bad energies and welcome to good energy like their religion teaches them about Good and Evil, and win of Good over bad.
