Norouz- which is Farsi for New Day- is the national and formal New Year festivity in Iran and Afghanistan, and It is celebrated in the Kurdish regions of Iraq, Turkey and Syria, and throughout Central Asia. This happens between 19-21 March, depending on astronomical calculations. This year, it is due to begin on 20 March 13:07 ,2021 Tehran local time.

Norouz is a springtime celebration whose activities symbolise rebirth and the link between humans and nature. It begins at the spring equinox - the moment when the sun crosses the equator and day and night are of equal length. While in Modern Iran it is a National holiday of 5 days for government employees and two weeks for students , It is rooted in ancient myths and fiction, as well as traditions and symbols.It is not known exactly how far back Norouz goes, but current estimates are that it is at least 3,000 years old, when the Persian Empire extended beyond the borders of modern Iran.

Preparations for Norouz celebrations in Iran begin weeks before the start of spring, including house-cleaning (khaneh takani). Families also grow sabzeh (wheat, barley, mung bean or lentils) in a dish. When the greens sprout after a couple of weeks, the dish is placed on the Haft-seen table, which is the focus of Norouz observance. It is joined by six other symbolic items which start with the Persian letter "seen" or S. That makes seven, an important number in tradition.

• seeb (apples) - symbol of health and beauty
• senjed (dried oleaster berries) - wisdom and rebirth
• samanu (wheat pudding) - strength/justice
• somaq (sumac) – patience
• serkeh (vinegar) - age/patience
• seer (garlic) - cleansing of body and environment

The Haft-seen spread also includes other items such as a mirror, symbolising reflection; coloured eggs, for fertility; and goldfish in a bowl, which represent life.

Another part of the Haft Seen table is the Quran, new notes are placed between pages of Quran, before giving to children and young people as Eidi( Norouz gift).

Norouz two-week celebrations centre on seeing relatives, picnicking, travelling, and eating traditional food. Though, in the pre-Islamic period of Iranian history, Norouz, had a religious connotation related to Zoroastrianism and before ; for the time being it is just a National custom signifying respect for national unity and nature.

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