Secret to Nowruz’s endurance lies in respect for all humanity: Researcher

Nowruz belongs to whole world

By Sadeq Dehqan
Staff writer

Nowruz, the festival marking the beginning of the Iranian New Year, stands as one of the oldest celebrations in Iranian history, with roots stretching back to ancient Iran and even prehistory.

The origins of Nowruz lie in Greater Iran and the broader cultural sphere of the Iranian Plateau—an expanse that, during the Achaemenid Empire, encompassed vast parts of the Caucasus, Central Asia, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, as well as regions of present-day India, China, and even parts of Europe.
Given this extensive historical reach, it’s no surprise that Nowruz is still celebrated across many of these nations and has even been enshrined as an official holiday in their national calendars.

One of the most thought-provoking aspects of Nowruz is its remarkable staying power. Despite the geopolitical reshuffling that has carved Greater Iran into numerous independent nations, this ancient festival continues to hold sway, honored across borders with traditions that remain strikingly similar.
Recognizing its cultural significance, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution designating March 21 as “International Nowruz Day” under Article 49, linking it to the broader framework of a culture of peace. Today, Nowruz has been cemented as an international occasion.

To explore the history, customs, and enduring legacy of Nowruz, Iran Daily reporter conducted an exclusive interview with Ardeshir Khorshidian, a Zoroastrian priest and scholar of ancient Iran.
Below is the full interview.

IRAN DAILY: What sets Nowruz apart from similar festivals?

ARDESHIR KHORSHIDIAN:Nowruz is a springtime celebration, but what makes it unique is the incredible precision with which its timing has been calculated since ancient times. Given that Iranians were pioneers in wisdom and astronomy, their expertise played a crucial role in ensuring Nowruz was observed at a precise moment. In fact, Nowruz is likely the only festival in the world that takes place at an exact second.
Each year, Iranians across the globe gather around their Haft Seen table at the very instant Nowruz begins, praying for global peace, harmony, and the well-being of all humanity. The calculations behind this moment date back to antiquity, ensuring that at the precise second Nowruz arrives, the Earth’s axis aligns with the Sun, and day and night are exactly twelve hours long everywhere on the planet.
What’s truly remarkable is that thousands of years ago, Iranians managed to nail down this astronomical calculation with such accuracy.

Is Nowruz a religious occasion? Is it exclusively tied to Zoroastrianism?

There is much debate about when exactly Nowruz originated, as it traces back to prehistoric times. However, one important fact stands out: the birthday of Zoroaster, the prophet of Zoroastrianism, falls on March 26. Despite the fact that major Iranian empires—including the Medes, Achaemenids, and Parthians—were all Zoroastrian, none of them went so far as to declare Zoroaster’s birthday as the start of Nowruz. Had they done so, the festival would have been reduced to a purely religious event, limited to Zoroastrians. But as we see today, Nowruz transcends religion—it belongs to everyone.
This highlights yet again the spirit of unity among Iranians. Nowruz does not hinge on one’s religious background; it is a celebration that brings people together, regardless of their faith. Throughout history, whenever Iran’s identity, culture, or borders have been at stake, Iranians from all walks of life have stood shoulder to shoulder—as seen during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988), when people of all ethnicities and backgrounds stepped up to defend their homeland with everything they had.

Given that thousands of years have passed, why has Nowruz stood the test of time? What, in fact, is the secret behind its longevity?

As I mentioned earlier, one key reason Nowruz has endured is that it has never been tied to any particular religious affiliation. This allows people of all faiths and beliefs to feel a sense of ownership over the tradition. Today, we see that diverse nations—regardless of religion, race, language, or ideology—come together to celebrate Nowruz, making it, in a sense, a festival for the entire world.
Another crucial factor is Iran’s well-documented mythical, heroic, and historical periods, which date back to the era of the Medes. A defining characteristic of Iran’s various historical phases has been the culture of mutual respect among different religious groups, ethnicities, and linguistic communities. This spirit of reverence and coexistence extends to Nowruz as well. That’s why the festival has remained deeply ingrained in our cultural fabric—because all Iranians, along with the 18 nations that were once part of pre-Islamic Iran, have been profoundly mindful of its significance.

Could you elaborate on Nowruz customs, particularly the Haft Seen table, which is one of its most iconic symbols?

A long-standing tradition leading up to Nowruz is spring cleaning, which typically kicks off about ten days before the new year. The first five days are dedicated to tidying up the home, but the latter five are meant for cleansing the heart, soul, and mind.
Another key element of the celebrations is the Haft Seen table, which is carefully set with seven symbolic items, all beginning with the Persian letter “S.” Some of these include sumac, samanu (a sweet wheat pudding), and senjed (dried oleaster fruit). Senjed, for instance, represents wisdom, diligence, and perseverance. Sib (apples) and sabze (greens) symbolize solidarity and renewal. Meanwhile, serkeh (vinegar) serves as a reminder that life is a blend of both bitter and sweet experiences, teaching us to take life’s hardships in stride.
Another item found on the Haft Seen table is sekkeh (coins), which symbolizes stability and self-discipline—reminding people to remain steadfast in their character, much like a coin retains its value over time.