Nowruz 2025: Meaning, Date & How Is This Persian New Year Celebrated? Everything You Need to Know

Nowruz, meaning "new day," is the Persian New Year, which has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. It marks the arrival of spring and symbolises renewal and rebirth. In 2025, Nowruz falls on March 20, 2025, at 5:01 a.m. EST (2:31 p.m. IST), aligning with the vernal equinox

Approximately 300 million people worldwide observe this festival, including communities in Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Kurdish, Turkic Uyghur, and Parsi groups. 

Traditions include setting up a "Haft Sin" table adorned with seven symbolic items, each starting with the Persian letter 'S,' representing concepts like rebirth, health, and prosperity. Families gather to clean their homes, wear new clothes, visit loved ones, and enjoy festive meals. 

The celebration lasts for 13 days, culminating in "Sizdah Bedar," a day spent outdoors to embrace nature and ward off bad luck. Nowruz is a time of joy, reflection, and hope for the prosperous year ahead.

Nowruz 2025: What Does It Mean?

Nowruz, also known as the Persian New Year, is a significant cultural celebration that marks the arrival of spring and symbolises renewal and new beginnings. The term "Nowruz" translates to "new day" in Persian, reflecting its essence as a time for rejuvenation and hope.

Significance of Nowruz

• Cultural Heritage: Nowruz has been celebrated for over 3,000 years and is recognised as a cultural and spiritual heritage by UNESCO. It holds deep roots in Zoroastrianism, emphasising themes of rebirth and connection to nature.
• Celebration Timing: Nowruz occurs at the vernal equinox, typically around March 20 or 21. This moment marks the first day of the Persian calendar year and signifies equal lengths of day and night, heralding the start of spring.
• Global Observance: While primarily associated with Iran, Nowruz is celebrated by various ethnic groups across multiple countries, including Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, and parts of Central Asia. It is often recognised as an official holiday in these regions.

Traditions and Customs

• Preparation: Leading up to Nowruz, families engage in thorough cleaning of their homes (known as "khaneh tekani") to symbolise renewal.
• Haft-Seen Table: A central tradition involves setting up a Haft-Seen table, which includes seven symbolic items starting with the Persian letter "S," each representing different hopes for the new year (e.g., health, wealth, love).
• Festivities: Celebrations include family gatherings, feasting on traditional foods, music, dancing, and outdoor activities such as picnics. The thirteenth day after Nowruz, known as "Sizdah Bedar," is particularly focused on nature outings.
• Sports and Games: Traditional sports events are also integral to the festivities, fostering community spirit through friendly competitions like wrestling and tug-of-war.

When Does Nowruz Fall in 2025?

Nowruz in 2025 falls on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 12:31 PM Tehran time (UTC+3:30), coinciding with the spring equinox

Nowruz 2025: History, Traditions & Celebration Guide

The Iranian calendar begins on the March equinox, marking the first day of spring, typically around March 21. According to Iranian astronomer Tusi, Nowruz was defined as "the first day of the official New Year when the sun enters Aries before noon." 

Nowruz also marks the first day of Farvardin, the opening month of the Iranian solar calendar, which is currently the official calendar of Iran and was previously used in Afghanistan.

What is the History of Nowruz?

Ancient Origins: Nowruz likely originated as a Zoroastrian festival during the late second or early first millennium BCE. 

It was celebrated during the Achaemenian dynasty (c. 559–330 BCE), with references in texts from the Parthian and Sasanian empires. The festival is linked to the vernal equinox, symbolising rebirth and the triumph of light over darkness.

Modern Observance: Recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2010, Nowruz is celebrated by various ethnic groups across Iran, Central Asia, and beyond. It remains a significant cultural event that transcends religious boundaries, observed by Zoroastrians, Bahá'ís, and many Muslims.

Traditions and Customs

• Haft-Seen Table: A central aspect of Nowruz is the Haft-Seen table, which features seven symbolic items starting with the Persian letter "S." Each item represents values such as growth (Sabzeh - sprouts), health (Seer - garlic), and prosperity (Samanu - sweet wheat pudding).
• Chaharshanbe Suri: This fire-jumping festival occurs on the last Wednesday before Nowruz. Participants jump over bonfires to symbolise cleansing from negativity and welcoming health and warmth into their lives.
• Family Visits (Did-o-Bazdid): The first days of Nowruz are dedicated to visiting family and friends. Younger relatives typically visit elders first to receive blessings for the new year. Gift-giving, known as Eidi, is common during these visits.

Culinary Delights

Nowruz celebrations include special dishes that vary by region but often feature:

• Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi: Herbed rice served with fish, symbolising prosperity.
• Kuku Sabzi: An herb frittata representing health.
• Reshteh Polo: Noodle rice that symbolises good fortune.
• Sholeh Zard: A saffron rice pudding symbolizing happiness

In recognition of its cultural and historical significance, the United Nations designated March 21 as the "International Day of Nowruz." This was officially established through Resolution 64/253, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in February 2010.

Nowruz 2025: Who Celebrates This Persian New Year?

Nowruz is celebrated in numerous countries, including:

• Iran: The heart of Nowruz celebrations, where it is a public holiday and deeply ingrained in cultural traditions.
• Afghanistan: Known as "Nawruz," it features communal gatherings and festivities.
• Central Asia: Countries like Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan observe Nowruz as a public holiday with various local customs.
• Caucasus Region: Azerbaijan and Georgia celebrate with festivals that include music and dance.
• Middle East: In Iraq and Syria, particularly among Kurdish communities, Nowruz is celebrated with bonfires and communal feasts.
• South Asia: In India and Pakistan, Nowruz is observed mainly by the Parsi community, who are descendants of Zoroastrians from Persia.

Nowruz 2025: What is Chaharshanbe Suri?

Chaharshanbe Suri, also known as the Festival of Fire, is a traditional Persian celebration that occurs on the eve of the last Tuesday before Nowruz, marking the beginning of the Persian New Year. This festival has deep roots in Zoroastrianism and symbolises purification, renewal, and the welcoming of spring.

1. Etymology:

The name "Chaharshanbe Suri" translates to "Red Wednesday," where "Chaharshanbe" means Wednesday and "Suri" can mean festive or red, reflecting the significance of fire in the celebrations.

2. Historical Significance:

The festival dates back to ancient times and is associated with fire as a symbol of purity and energy. It represents the transition from darkness (winter) to light (spring) and is linked to various pre-Islamic rituals.

3. Main Traditions:

• Jumping Over Fire: The most notable tradition involves creating bonfires and jumping over them while chanting phrases that symbolise the transfer of one's ailments to the fire, such as “Zardi-ye man az to, sorkhi-ye to az man,” which means “Take my paleness and give me your redness.” This act is believed to bring health and good fortune for the new year.
• Spoon-Banging (Qashoq-Zani): In a playful tradition similar to trick-or-treating, children dress up and go door-to-door banging spoons against bowls or plates to collect treats.
• Fortune Telling (Fāl): Participants engage in fortune-telling by placing personal items into a jug along with slips of paper containing auguries. A child draws an item from the jug, and its corresponding slip reveals a fortune.

4. Celebratory Atmosphere:

The night is filled with fireworks, music, and dancing as communities come together to enjoy the festivities. It serves as a vibrant prelude to Nowruz, fostering a sense of community and joy.

Nowruz 2025: What Does Sizdah Be-dar Mean?

Sizdah Be-dar, also known as "Nature Day," is a significant celebration that takes place on the 13th day of Farvardin, the first month of the Iranian calendar, marking the end of the Nowruz festivities. 

This tradition is deeply rooted in ancient Persian culture and carries various meanings and customs. In 2025, Sizdah Be-dar will be celebrated on April 2, 2025.

1. Meaning and Significance

• Cultural Importance: Sizdah Be-dar symbolises the triumph of spring over winter and represents a time for renewal and connection with nature. It is believed to help ward off evil spirits and negativity accumulated over the past year.
• Historical Roots: The origins of Sizdah Be-dar can be traced back to ancient Zoroastrian practices. It is associated with the deity Tir, who represents rain and fertility, emphasizing the importance of nature in agricultural societies.

2. Celebration Practices

• Outdoor Picnics: Families and friends gather in parks, gardens, or natural settings to enjoy picnics. This communal activity fosters social bonds and allows participants to appreciate the beauty of nature.
• Throwing Away Sabzeh: A key ritual involves discarding the sprouted greens (sabzeh) that were part of the Haft-Seen table during Nowruz into running water. This act symbolizes letting go of misfortunes and negativity from the past year.
• Knotting Greens: Unmarried girls often knot blades of grass during this day, wishing for love and companionship. This custom reflects hopes for future relationships.
• Pranks and Jokes: Similar to April Fools' Day, Sizdah Be-dar includes light-hearted pranks among friends and family, adding an element of fun to the festivities.
• Celebration of Nature: The day emphasizes respect for nature, with many people engaging in activities that highlight environmental appreciation. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving natural resources.