#TruthSeekers N. 13 #TruthSeekers N. 13 | Page 14

Shahnameh has more Iranian identity values and spirits, and is much suitable for this ancient celebration. "Sizdah-Bedar" After the Saal Tahvil, people hug and kiss each other and wish each other a happy new year. Then they give presents to each other (traditionally cash, coins or gold coins), usually older ones to the younger ones. The first few days are spent visiting older members of the family, relatives and friends. Children receive presents and sweets, special meals and "Aajil" (a combination of different nuts with raisins and other sweet stuff) or fruits are consumed. Traditionally on the night before the New Year, most Iranians will have Sabzi Polo Mahi, a special dish of rice cooked with fresh herbs and served with smoked and freshly fried fish. Koukou Sabzi, a mixture of fresh herbs with eggs fried or baked, is also served. The next day rice and noodles (Reshteh Polo) is served. Regional variations exist and very colorful feasts are prepared. The 1 3th day of the new year is called "Sizdah Bedar" and spent mostly outdoors. People will leave their homes to go to the parks or local plains for a festive picnic. It is a must to spend Sizdah Bedar in nature. This is called Sizdah Bedar and is the most popular day of the holidays among children because they get to play a lot! Also in this day, people throw the Sabze away, they believe Sabze should not stay in the house after "Sizdah Bedar". Iranians regard 1 3th day as a bad omen and believe that by going into the fields and parks they avoid misfortunes. It is also believed that unwed girls can wish for a husband by going into the fields and tying a knot between green shoots, symbolizing a marital bond. Another tradition of the new year celebrations is "Chahar-Shanbeh Soori". It takes place before Saal Tahvil, at the last Wednesday of the old year, well actually Tuesday night! People set up bon fire, young and old leap over the fires with songs and gestures of merriment like: (Sorkhi-e to az man) Give me your beautiful red color (Zardi-e man az to) And take back my sickly pallor! It means: I will give you my yellow color (sign of sickness), and you give me your fiery red color (sign of healthiness). This is a purification rite and 'suri' itself means red and fiery. No-Rooz Greetings: No-Rooz Mobarak (Happy No-Rooz, Happy New Year); Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak (Happy New Year to you); No-Rooz Pirooz (Wishing you a Prosperous New Year); Sad Saal be in Saal-ha (Wishing you 1 00 more Happy New Years). After all No-Rooz is a fun time for all of the Iranians, old and young. Something more about this beautiful feast :) No-Rooz is considered as the biggest celebration of the year in Iran. Before the festival, they start cleaning their houses and purchase new clothes. But the main ritual of Persian New Year is setting the "Haft Seen" with 7 items, which in ancient times correlated to one of the seven creations and seven holy immortals that were protecting them. All these seven items start with the letter "S" - Seeb (apple), Serke (vinager), Sabze (green grass), Senjed (a special kind of berry), Samanoo (a meal made out of wheat), Sekke (coin), and Seer (garlic). At times Somagh (sumak, an Iranian