Khaneh Tekani - Spring Cleaning

Noruz (new year, or more literally "new day") is the most important celebration for Iranians. Perhaps the first step in preparing for Noruz or Now-Ruz, the Persian New Year, is Khaneh Tekani, the annual house cleaning or the spring-cleaning. In ancient times, Iranians believed that spirits of their deceased families and friends would come to visit their descendants and their homes. For this occasion, the hosts clean their homes. The word Khaneh or the slang Khooneh means house or home. The word Tekani means shaking. So the Iranians are literally shaking the house to clean it - much like you shake a rug to clean it. During the Khaneh Tekani, every room in the house is thoroughly cleaned. Iranian families gather to wash the rugs, carpets, and curtains. They polish silverware, pots and pans, and renew old items in the house. In addition, for Noruz, every member of the family renews their look by purchasing Noruz clothes to be worn on the day of Noruz. Families fill their homes with the sweet fragrance of flowers such as hyacinth and narcissus. The burning of wild rue, which is called esfand, is practiced to keep evil spirits away and provide a nice aroma in the house.

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Chahar Shanbeh Suri - red wednesday Bonfire Festival

On the eve of the Wednesday before Noruz, the Iranians celebrate Chahar Shanbeh Suri. This is commonly known as the Wednesday Feast or the Festival of the last Wednesday as it is always celebrated on the eve of the last Wednesday of the year. The word Chahar Shanbeh means Wednesday and Suri is red.

The festivities start in the early evening. Children and fun seeking adults, wrap themselves in white sheets or costumes reenacting visits by the departed spirits. They run through the streets banging on pots and pans with spoons. This is called Gashog-Zani or spoon banging and ushers out the last unlucky Wednesday of the year. They also go to their neighbors, knock on doors and ask for treats, a tradition very similar to Halloween. The main event of Chahar-Shanbeh Suri is the setting of seven little fires consisting of dried bushes and shrubs, which are placed on the ground. Adults and children alike gather to jump over the flames to sing, and celebrate the renewal of life. While jumping the flames, the person chants “Sorkhi-e to az man. Zardi-e man az to.” The literal transalation is, “Your fiery red color is mine and my sickly yellow paleness is yours.” Loosely translated, this means you want the fire to take your paleness, sickness and problems and in turn give you redness, warmth and energy. There is no religious significance attached to Chahar Shanbeh Suri and it serves as a cultural festival for all Iranian Jews, Moslems, Armenians, Turks and Zoroastrians alike.



Iranians believe that wishes will come true on this night. Wishes are made and in order to make them come true, it is customary to prepare Noodles & Bean soup called Ash-e Chahar Shanbeh Suri and share with the poor. Friends and strangers alike are also served with nuts and dried fruits, the Ajil-e Chahar Shanbeh Suri. The Ajil has a mixture of seven dried nuts and fruits, pistachios, roasted chic peas, almond, hazelnuts, figs, apricots, and raisins.

To make wishes come true, people who have made wishes will stand at the corner of an intersection, or hide behind walls to listen to conversation of those passying by. If the conversations overheard are positive then the wish will come true. This tradition is called Fal Gush meaning 'listening for one's fortune'. Finally the Chahar Shanbeh Suri evening ends with fire works and family gatherings for a festive meal.

This ancient festival has been celebrated for thousands of years ever since the birth of the Zoroastrian religion in Persia. Persians celebrated the last 10 days of the year in the annual feast of souls, Hamaspathmaedaya, Farvardigan or popularly Forodigan). They believed Foruhars, the guardian angels for humans and the spirits of deceased would come back for a visit. These spirits were entertained as honored guests, and were given a ritual farewell at the dawn of the New Year. The bon fires also served as a welcome to these guests. Small clay figurines in shape of humans and animals symbolizing all departed relatives and animals were also placed on the rooftops. Flames were burnt all night to ensure the returning spirits were protected from the forces of Ahriman. This was called Suri festival. There were gatherings in joyful assemblies, with prayers, feasts and communal consumption of ritually blessed food. Rich and poor met together and the occasion was a time of general goodwill when quarrels were resolved and friendships renewed.

On the Thursday after Chahar Shanbeh Suri, Shab-e Jome is celerbated which is a traditional big feast of polo and chicken. Followling this ritual assures one that there will be a similar dinner at least once a week during the coming year.

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Noruz History - New Years Roots

The word Noruz meaning New Day, is the most anticipated and favorite celebration for Iranians. It occurs exactly on the Spring Equinox. This occasion has been renowned in one form or another by all the major cultures of ancient Mesopotamia. Sumerians, 3000 BC, Babylonians, the ancient kingdom of Elam in Southern Persia and Akaddians in the second millennium BC, all celebrated this festival. What we celebrate today as Noruz (Also spelled Now Ruz, Norooz or Norouz) has been around for at least 3000 years and is deeply rooted in the rituals and traditions of the Zoroastrians of the Sassanian period.

The concepts of Hell, Heaven, Resurrection, the coming of the Messiah, individual and last judgment are the foundation for the Zoroastrian belief system and still exist in Judeo-Christian and Islamic traditions. In their ancient text, ‘Bundahishn’ foundation of creation, it is said that The Lord of Wisdom (Ahura Mazda) residing in the eternal light was not God. He created all that was good and became God. The Hostile Spirit, Angra Mainyu (Ahriman), residing in the eternal darkness created all that was evil and became the Hostile Spirit. Everything that produced life, protected and enriched it was regarded as good. This included all forces of nature beneficial to humans. Earth, waters, sky, animals, plants, justice, honesty, peace, health, beauty, joy and happiness were regarded as belonging to the good forces. All that threatened life and created disorder belonged to the hostile spirits.

The next creation was the material world, created at seven different stages. The first creation was the sky, and the second was the first ocean. Earth, a big flat dish sitting on the ocean, was the third. The next three creations were the first plant, the first animal a bull and the first human Gayo-maretan (Kiomarth, both male and female). The seventh creation was fire together with the sun.

To protect his creations the Lord of Wisdom created six holy immortals known as ‘Amesha Spenta’. The first three were male deities. Khashtra (Sharivar), the protector of sky; Asha-Vahishta (Ordibehesht) and Vahu Manah (Bahman) protected fire and animals. The other three were female deities: Haurvatat (Khordad) to protect water, Spenta Armaiti (Esfand) protector of mother earth and Ameratat (Amurdad) for plant life. Ahura Mazda became the protector of humans and the holy fire. The six immortals are the names of six of the months in the current Iranian calendar. To begin the cycle life, the plant produced seeds; the bull produced all animals and from the human came the first male and female. The rest of the humanity was created from their union. This was called the first No Ruz, meaning new day and the beginning of the cycle of life. It starts at the beginning of spring and the seven creations are remembered and embraced through the Iranian New Year spread called Sofreh Haft Sin. Noruz is celebrated for 13 days after the mark of spring equinox.

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Sal Tahvil - New Year's Times

The Sal Tahvil or the Sa'at-e Tahvil is New Year's Eve, which is the official time for the Spring Equinox. Every year the equinox occurs at a different point in time, so the date, although accurately measured (to the date and time) is different each year, but close to March 20th.

Sa'at- tahvil is an important moment, as it is a time for forgiving each other, putting away petty differences and looking forward to building more constructive relationships. The countdown is often followed carefully on the radio or television, as the family gathers around the haft sin, in their new clothes, carefully watching the egg or preparing to take a picture of the Sal Tahvil. Legend says that there is a bullfish in the ocean of time carrying the world on one of its horns. When the Sal-e Tahvil arrives, the bullfish tosses the world over to the other horn, resulting in a tremor that will dislodge the egg and send it rolling to the side of the mirror.

As the countdown ushers in the new year, everyone rejoices, kiss each other, exchanging Noruz greetings such as “Eid-i shoma mobarak!”or “Sal-e No Mobarak!” which means Happy New Year. Gifts, usually money called Eidi, placed inside the Koran are exchanged, given by older members to the younger members of the family. Members of the family then celebrate by singing, eating, drinking and taking pictures.

It is also believed that the next visitor to the home will set the tone for luck in the new year, so generally the family will send out the youngest or most innocent member of the family to go outside with some sweets and knock on the door, come in and pretend to be a visitor. After the family has celebrated, the next 13 days are spent visiting the families.

Families gather to take pictures and share sweets and celebrate.

This year 1383, Noruz is celebrated at the following time:

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Haji Firuz & Amu Noruz- The Persian Troubadour & Santa Claus

The old Haji, named Firuz or Firooz, is the troubadour who ushers in the new year with his song, dance and merriment. Haji Firooz symbolizes the rebirth of the Sumerian god of sacrifice, Domuzi, who was killed at the end of each year and reborn at the beginning of the New Year. Wearing an elaborate red costume which is a cross between a court jester, santa claus and perhaps a venician at carnival, the herald uses his tambourine and enlists a few fellow comedians to make the world laugh. Traditionally, Haji Firooz wears black make up and this is thought to have come from ancient times when the entertainment was provided by black slaves who, with their rather 'strange accents' for the Persians brought laughter to the people. Today’s modern Haji Firooz sings and dances through the streets with tambourines and trumpets spreading joy for Noruz. He often appears at gatherings and entertains by singing, dancing, telling stories and also a few good jokes. Children and adults all love Haji Firooz who, if you are lucky, will tell a few good tales like that of Amu Noruz (Amoo Norouz) and other old Persian tales. Amu Noruz, a distant relative of Haji Firooz is responsible for giving gifts to the children much like Santa Claus. He makes their wishes come true and ensures that they are happy and healthy for many years to come.

Sofreh Preparation - Growing Sabzeh & Egg painting

You can start growing your sabzeh which is the first S on the sofreh and consists of green sprouts, about 2 or 3 weeks before Noruz. This also depends on how tall you want your Sabzeh. You will need whole lentils (adas) or whole-wheat seeds sold at Iranian stores. We recommend you use these as grocery store seeds do not always yield the best results.

Place a good amount of seed on a nice plate or dish, about 1 cm thick, Soak the seeds in water for two days and then put them on a shallow plate and cover it with a cotton cloth or thin towel. With the cloth over the seeds, place plate in a sunny location or under a light if you do not have access to the sun. Squirt water over the shoots several times a day, and keep them covered with the cloth. Ensure that the seeds do not get too dry or over-soaked. In about 2 or 3 days, small sprouts appear. Remove the cloth and let the sabzeh grow (increased exposure to the sun will increase the speed of its growth). You can grow several dishes in case they rot or go moldy which they often do. Some ladies have a reputation for having green hands and growing great Sabzeh. They might be asked to grow some for friends and relatives. If your hands are far from "green" on your first attempts, do not worry, most Iranian stores sell pre-grown Sabzeh and many people simply buy them.

Another fun tradition for the children is the painting of the eggs for Noruz. This is much like the Easter tradition of painting eggs and can be a great way to teach children about the significance of Haft Sin. The best time to do this is the day before Noruz. That way your eggs will be ready for the sofreh and they will last for the next 13 days of the New Year.

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Sofreh Haft Sin - The Seven S's of the New Year

The Sofreh Haft Sin (Haft Seen) is the spread, which the family gathers around to celebrate the New Year. It is the focal point of the celebration and ensuing visits and as such Iranians take great care and pride in putting together a lavish and elaborate spread to signify all that they want in the new year. The word Haft means seven and Sin stands for the “S” in the alphabet. Sofreh means spread, the floor of which is usually a nice rich material or embroidered fabric. The spread contains the seven specific things that start with “s”. The sofreh is prepared a day or two before Noruz and placed either on the floor or on the table for about two weeks after Noruz. In addition to the seven items, you may place additional items on the sofreh that will signify renewal, happiness, wealth, good health or any thing that you desire for the New Year. You will find additional items that start with S and other items that represent life in our list. Remember that this celebration is one of hope, promise and good fortune, so have fun with it and share the joy with all your friends and family.

Here is a list of suggested items for your sofreh:

Other optional items: rose water (gol ab), various spices, tray of dry beans, wheat and grain products, various fruit baskets, flowers, vegetables, sweets, nuts and snacks are all weclome. Some familites also add a Jaa Namaaz (prayer mat). You can also include a termeh, which is a traditional Perisan silk or gold embroidered cloth, handed down from generations to symbolize family and tradition. Visit our real sofreh pictures.

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Deed-o Bazdeed - New Years Visits

The Sal Tahvil, and the eve of the New Year are spent at home with immediate family. After that the tradition of Deed-o Bazdeed starts. This expression means to visit (see) and to visit back or again signifying the next 13 days of the New Year, which bring visits to and from family, friends and neighbors. On the first day of these visits, the families gather at the house of the head of the family, usually the oldest person such as a grandfather or grandmother of the family. This order is kept then from oldest to youngest and serves as a way of paying respect to the family. During these visits, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, neighbors and distant relatives gather to celebrate and enjoy the reunion, which may not otherwise occur during the busy year. Iranian sweets, shirini, ajil, tea and various fruits, or entire meals are served at these functions. Children get presents called Eidi from the older relatives, which range from toys to cash. The visits continue going from grandparents to the aunts, uncles, family friends and so on. At the end of thirteen days, the families go on the wonderful and fun family outing called Seezah Bedar.

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Sizdah Bedar - The Day 13 Outing

Seezdah Bedar is the last holiday of the long Noruz break and is a day filled with relaxation and fun outdoors. Seezdah means 13 and Bedar means away or out. Iranians consider 13 to be an unlucky number and so for this reason, they spend the 13th day of the New Year outside the home. Seezdah-Bedar is in essence a national picnic that is celebrated with everyone going to parks, hills and mountainsides to spend the day with nature, wishing the evil spirits away. This way one hopes to avoid any bad incidents that may occur.

Family members rise early in the morning and prepare for the day long picnic. Iranians take their picnics very seriously and pack all the necessary items, leaving maybe the refrigerators behind. Supplies may include sandwiches, traditional polos, drinks, sweets, snacks such as ajil, carpets or rugs, the samavar, a ghalyan (water-pipe), backgammon, chess, cards, balls and other games for the children. Usually areas filled with nature, greenery and streams are chosen to commemorate this cultural holiday. More importantly, the sabzeh (sprouted wheat or lentils) is brought from the sofreh Haft-Sin to be thrown in a flowing stream or creek. It is believed that the sabzeh, which has by this time turned a little yellow, symbolizes sickness and problems. Therefore, it is thrown and carried away by the stream. The day is spent playing games, going for long walks in the fields, eating, drinking and enjoying each other’s company. In addition, Seezdah Bedar is a big day of hope, and people who wish for things follow the tradition of tying grass togther. For example if a young girl wishes to find a husband in the coming year she will tie grass and chant “Seezdah Bedar Sale degar, khune-ye shuhar”. This rhyme literally means, “Next seezdah bedar, I will be at my husband’s home”. There are various chants for people who wish to get a job or be healthy or wealthy and so on. At the end of this day, the haft sin may be cleared away and families return to work.

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Shab-e Yalda - The Winter Feast

This winter celebration has to do with the longest night of the year. Yalda, a Syriac word imported by the Syriac Christians means birth and is related to the birth of Jesus. It is also interchangable with “Shab-e Cheleh”, the Zoroastrian celebration of Winter Solstice, the longest night of winter, around December 21st and forty days before the next Persian festival ‘Jashn e Sadeh’. Cheleh is the word for forty and Shab means night.

Traditionally on this night the forces of Ahriman are at the peak of their strength. The next day, the first day of the month of ‘Dey’ known as ‘khoram rooz’ or ‘khore rooz’ (the day of sun) belongs to Ahura Mazda, the Lord of Wisdom. Since the days are getting longer and the nights shorter, this day marks the victory of Sun over darkness.

On this night, family and friends gather for a large feast. Various dried fruits, nuts, seeds and fresh winter fruits are provided at these events to celebrate and pray to the deities to ensure the protection of the winter crops. The traditional feast for the night is eggplant stew with saffron rice, rice with chicken and yoghurt. Medieval poetry from Hafez can be read and fortunes are told in the famous “Fal-e Hafez” tradition. Children and parents gather around a warm korsi, which is an older Persian oven (wooden box filled with coal), and hear tales of Rostam and Sohrab or other great stories from the Shahnahmeh. Candles are lit and fireplaces, ovens and heaters are all turned on to get through the cold night together. Families cuddle under the korsi and pass snacks around, tell jokes and stay up all night to share in the fun.

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Jashn-e Mehregan - The Autumn Festival

Zoroastrians divided the Iranian year into two equal seasons: summer and winter. The beginning of each season would then be celebrated through a big feast, one called Noru and the other Mehregan. The coming of autumn is celebrated usually on the 9th or 10th of October (the Mehr Month of the Persian calendar) and is dedicated to the God of Light Mitra or Mehr. After Noruz, this is the second most elaborate celebration and marks the harvesting season and coming of winter.

Historically and still today in some parts of Yazd, sheep are sacrificed for this occasion by Zoroastrians on the day of Mehregan. Sometimes they continue this tradition for three days. The sheep is grilled on a three-stone oven, to represent the good words, good deeds and good thoughts which is the cornerstone of the religion. At the end, the sheep is given to the fire temple. The fat of the sheep is strewed on the flames and prayers are held. Mehergan can last up to five days.

In modern days, families gather to celebrate and welcome the new season much like they do with Noruz and the coming of spring. Preparations are made to get ready for winter and thanks is given to the harvest. For this celebration old and young gather to reconnect and prepare foods to share with the poor and those in need. Ajil is made and handed out to friends and relatives. Traditional Persian Aash dishes are cooked along with lamb, rice dishes, dessets, and the like. Celebrations can end with bonfires and fireworks preparing the children for the new school year and rejoicing on this merry occasion.

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Jashn-e Tirgan - The Rain Festival

This event is celebrated in July (the Tir Month of the Persian calendar) and refers to the archangel Tir (arrow) or Tishtar (lightning bolt) who appeared in the sky to generate thunder and lightning for much needed rain. Legend says that Arash-e Kamangir was a man chosen to settle a land dispute between two leaders, Iran and Turan. Arash was to shoot his arrow on the 13th day of Tir and where the arrow landed, there would lie the border between the two kingdoms. Turan, who had suffered from the lack of rain, and Iran rejoiced the settlement of the borders, the peace and rain poured onto the two countries. Today, some Iranians celebrate this occasion with dancing, singing, reciting poetry and serving spinach soup and sholeh zarid. It hasalso been observed that during this celebration children rejoice by swimming in streams and splashing water around. The custom of tying rainbow-colored bands on their wrists, which are worn for ten days and then thrown into a stream, is also a great way to rejoice for kids.

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Jashn-e Sadeh - The Fire Festival

This event, which pays homage to fire and light, is celebrated on January 31st of the year. It marks a hundred days of the great winter, which started on the first of the Persian month Aban. Sad means one hundred. Some say the event comes from the legend of Hushang Shah, who encountered a black snake one day on his ride. In his defense, Hushang threw a rock at the snake and missed. Instead, the rock hit another large rock and started a spark starting a fire. The fire spread and engulfed the snake saving Hushang’s life. To celebrate, friends and family gather firewood and build a huge bonfire. Candles, lite and fire are respected and celebrated. Chestnuts, potatoes and nuts are roasted in fires and enjoyed by all. Traditional drinks, sweets and meals are served as people sing and dance.

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