Nowruz, which means “new day,” in Persian, is a festival that commences with the spring equinox as the sun crosses the equator heading northward. This year, in 2024, in Tehran, it begins on March 20th at 6:36 a.m., in London at 3:06 a.m., in New York on March 19th at 23:06 p.m., and in India on March 20th, 8:36 a.m.
The festival is usually celebrated in countries connected by the Silk Roads, like Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
The festival focuses on peace, unity, and respecting diverse cultures to unite people. In 2010, the United Nations made the International Day of Nowruz official, strengthening its mission of fostering global harmony and sharing cultures.
The Science Behind Nowruz
This celebration aligns with the vernal equinox, marking a period when daylight and darkness are nearly equal. It denotes the onset of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, representing rejuvenation and new beginnings.
At the vernal equinox, Earth’s axis does not tilt towards or away from the sun, resulting in a equal distribution of daylight and darkness across all latitudes. This heralds the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, symbolizing the cycle of rejuvenation and new life.
The Customs of the Festival
The traditions of this festival vary in different parts of the world. Essentially, Nowruz is about starting anew. Even though Nowruz officially starts at the equinox, people start getting ready for it weeks earlier.
To start the new year positively, having a clean home and peace of mind is crucial. Nowruz participants cherish the uplifting nature of the holiday amidst concerns about climate change, global politics, and loneliness. Nowruz offers a chance to pause, appreciate life, and connect with nature on the first day of spring.
The yearly celebration has a history spanning more than 3,000 years. Its roots can be traced back to ancient Iran, known as Persia at that time, where it was observed on the spring equinox to signify the beginning of spring. Over time, various nations and cultural communities along the Silk Roads embraced this tradition.
Nowruz in India
In India, the festival in 2024 will be observed on two separate dates owing to diverse calendar customs. The initial celebration is scheduled for March 20, 2024, coinciding with the worldwide observance of Nowruz during the spring equinox, in accordance with the Solar Hijri calendar.
Google’s Doodle about Nowruz 2024
Google’s homepage showcased a lively and celebratory Doodle in honor of Nowruz, the Persian New Year.
The detailed design of the Doodle highlighted aspects of Persian culture, featuring vibrant floral motifs, classic calligraphy, and symbolic objects like the Haft-sin table. This table is decorated with seven items, each beginning with the Persian letter “sin,” symbolizing ideas like renewal, well-being, and wealth.
This festival symbolizes rejuvenation, optimism, and solidarity, crossing religious and cultural barriers. As the global community embraces the new year, Google’s Doodle serves as a joyful tribute to the lasting impact of this age-old observance.
