Holidays and Holy Days Archives - Dean of Student Life

This blogpost series is called Holidays and Holy Days to inform our OSU community about significant religious and spiritual observances. If you know of a significant holiday or holy day coming up, please communicate the information to Hannah Pynn hannah.pynn@oregonstate.edu in the Dean of Student Life office.

May 23rd, 2013 is the Bahá’í holiday of Declaration of the Báb.

Historical Context

The Declaration of the Báb happened in May 1844 when a Shi’a Muslim, Mullá Husayn, was on a journey looking for the Promised One. The Promised One, also called Al-Qāʾim in the Shi’a tradition, is a messiah figure told about in holy scriptures.

Mullá Husayn traveled to Shiraz, Iran where he was approached by a young stranger who invited Mullá Husayn to his home. This young man’s name was Siyyid Ali Muhammad and was a direct descendent of the Prophet Muhammad through the lineage of both of his parents. Mullá Husayn told Siyyid Ali Muhammad that he was searching for the possible successor to Siyyid Kázim, the Promised One.

This young man who was only 24 years old, told Mullá Husayn that he was Siyyid Kázim’s successor and the bearer of divine knowledge. When Mullá Husayn described the prophesies of The Promised One, Ali Muhammad declared, “Behold, all of these signs are manifest in me.”

Ali Muhammad then proceeded to explain the meanings of difficult holy teachings to Mullá Husayn and convinced him that he was the Promised One that Mullá Husayn had been searching for. Ali Muhammad said, “O Thou who art the first to believe in Me! Verily, I say, I am the Báb, the Gate of God.” Siyyid Ali Muhammad took the title of “The Báb,” which in Arabic means “the Gate.” He was the first of two prophetic figures who founded the Baha’i Faith, the other being Baha’u’llah, which in Arabic means “The Glory of God.”

This is the room where the Declaration of the Bab happened.

Mood and Common Greetings

Mood – Festive, remembering the influence and significance of the Báb’s words

Common Greeting – Allah-u-Abha – an Arabic phrase that means “God is the Most Glorious”

Words of the Bab, handwritten by Mullá Husayn.

Modern Significance

The Bahá’í faith quickly spread from that small room in Shiraz to more than 200 countries and territories around the world, representing diversity from all over the world. The writings of the Báb quickly became the foundations for the new Bahá’í belief system which became an official religion later through the Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, who was a follower of the Báb’s teachings.

Bahá’ís claim that the Báb was also the spiritual return of Elijah and John the Baptist, that he was the “Ushídar-Máh” referred to in the Zoroastrian scriptures, and that he was the forerunner of their own religion.

The declaration of the Báb is one of the nine holy days in the Bahá’í calendar.

Rituals/Traditions

Praying
Programs that tell the story of His declaration
No work or school
A special prayer read two hours and 11 minutes after sunset, which is the moment when the Báb informed Mulla Husayn of his mission
Reflect on the process of searching for spiritual answers

Additional Resources

http://thebabhistory.blogspot.com/2010/01/bahai-greeting-of-allah-u-abha.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LM-ZQ29WDdo#!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shastri-purushotma/declaration-of-the-bab-enter-the-gate_b_1522736.html

http://portlandbahai.org/2012/05/the-declaration-of-the-bab/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A1b#Declaration_to_Mull.C3.A1_Husayn

OSU Religious Accommodation Policy

It is the policy of the Oregon University System and Oregon State University that no one shall be subject to discrimination based on age, disability, national origin, race, color, veteran status, marital status, religion, sex or sexual orientation.

With regards to religion, this policy prohibits the University, and its employees while at work or representing OSU, from taking action that promotes religion or promotes one particular religion over another. The University may not create an atmosphere which in anyway suggests it favors one religion over another, or religion over non-religion. As a public university, it is equally important not to inhibit voluntary religious expression. The University’s obligation is to balance these two elements — to refrain from promoting and at the same time to refrain from inhibiting. This policy is premised on respect for each individual’s right to make personal choices regarding the nature, if any, of his or her religious beliefs and practices.

This policy does not preclude a faculty member or employee from being an advisor to a recognized student organization which may have a religious affiliation.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 7, 1997

WHO TO CONTACT

Any student or employee who feels he or she is being treated inappropriately based on religion is encouraged to contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion, 526 Kerr Administration Building, (541-737-3556).

May 14-16th, 2013 is the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.

Historical Context

Shavuot is the Jewish holiday that commemorates the day when God gave Moses the Torah, a summary of God’s laws, on Mount Sinai. The word “Shavuot” means weeks. The festival of Shavuot marks the completion of a 7-week period between Passover and Shavuot. The Torah commands that Jews count forty-nine days between Passover and Shavuot. The last day of Passover, a sacrifice containing an “omer”-measure of barley, was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem. The day before Shavuot, an offering of wheat is to be brought to the Temple. An “omer” is equal to about 3.64 litres. In antiquity, grain harvest lasted seven weeks. Barley was harvested during Passover and the harvesting of wheat began during Shavuot.

Shavuot is celebrated in Israel for one day, but is celebrated for disapora (Jews not living in Israel) for two days.

Mood and Common Greetings

Mood – Festive, merriment that celebrates the harvest and God’s provision

Common Greeting – “Chag Sameach!” which means Happy Holiday!

Modern Significance

Shavuot, unlike other Jewish holidays, does not have commandments in the Torah. The traditions of Shavuot highlight the importance of tradition for the preservation of Jewish religious observance. Shavuot remembers that is a connection between Judaism, agriculture, and healthy communities.

Dairy foods are popular during Shavuot, which are symbolic for several reasons:

When they received the law of the Torah and had to follow kosher, Jews chose to eat dairy foods as they transitioned into the new laws
The Torah is compared to milk by King Solomon, “Like honey and milk, it lies under your tongue” (Song of Songs 4:11)
The Hebrew name of Mount Sinai is etymologically similar to the Hebrew word for cheese

Rituals/Traditions

Eating dairy foods – blintz, cheesecake, cheese-filled pancakes, basically any kind of amazing cheesy, dairy food you can think of
One night meal and day meal
Public readings of the book of Ruth – because the events of Ruth happen during harvest time
Greenery decorates homes and synagogues
All-night Torah study, called Tikkun Leil Shavuot (Hebrew: תקון ליל שבועות – this represents the night the Torah was given to Moses, Israelites overslept and Moses had to wake them because God was waiting on the mountaintop
Confirmation ceremonies for students aged 16-18 who are completing their religious studies

Additional Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shavuot

http://theshiksa.com/what-is-shavuot/

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/shavuot

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/shavuot

OSU Religious Accommodation Policy

It is the policy of the Oregon University System and Oregon State University that no one shall be subject to discrimination based on age, disability, national origin, race, color, veteran status, marital status, religion, sex or sexual orientation.

This policy does not preclude a faculty member or employee from being an advisor to a recognized student organization which may have a religious affiliation.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 7, 1997

WHO TO CONTACT

I write the Holidays and Holy Days blog to educate the OSU community about significant religious and spiritual observances. Tuesday was Yom Haatzma’ut, Israel’s Independence Day that celebrates the establishment of the State of Israel on May 14^th, 1948. I hesitated to write the Holidays and Holy Days blog post to honor this Israeli holiday when religious turmoil was making front-page news after the Boston Marathon Bombing.

In the hours following the blast, a Saudi man was arrested because he was seen running away from the blast. Meanwhile my Muslim friends flooded social media with the plea, “Please don’t let the attacker be a Muslim.” The Westboro Baptist Church announced their plan to shout at victim’s funerals because they think the bombing was a result God’s wrath for legalizing gay marriage in Massachusetts. One terrible act of violence was followed by more acts of hate and violence.

The Israel and Palestine region is an international symbol of religious conflict. When the United Nations General Assembly declared the Establishment of State for Israel in 1948, diaspora Jews around the world celebrated but the surrounding Arab states marched their troops into the area in protest of western politics determining the geographic and political structure of Palestine.

For other citizens of Israel, Yom Haatzm’ut is regarded as “al-Nakba,” meaning the “Day of Catastrophe.” Nakba recognizes the Palestinian bloodshed that occurred during the decision to make Israel and independent state. Currently, legal action can be taken against Palestinian communities holding Nakba events in Israel.

Muslims, Jews, and Christians are all descended from the historical figure of Abraham, and each of these religious communities regard the geographical location of Israel and Palestine as a holy land for their spiritual traditions. Claims on this strip of desert land have historical centuries of religious turmoil. Today, many who are invested in the conflict believe that the only solution is to divide the property into two independent states. Many Jewish, Muslim, and Christian residents of Israel are convinced that peace and resolution cannot be accomplished under the current political framework.

For some of our OSU community, Israel’s Independence Day is a time of celebration. For some, it is a day of mourning and sorrow. For others, it is a symbol of the need for interfaith dialogue, relationship, and conversation. I am not claiming that simple conversations can solve this ancient conflict, or that one conversation can prevent future violent acts like what happened in Boston this week. But I do believe that violent acts only invite more violence.

I believe that the only way to combat violence is through peaceful relationships that prioritize intentional interfaith literacy between friends. I have experienced that once friendships are formed between Muslims and Jews, Christians and LGBTQ individuals, the bond of friendship permits people to understand the other’s perspective. Friends join alongside one another to fight injustice and violence.

Traditions and Rituals of Yom Haatzma’ut:

Music

Dancing

Feasting at picnics or barbecues

Official ceremony held on Mount Herzl

Lighting twelve torches that signify the Tribes of Israel

Outdoor performances

International Bible Contest in Jerusalem

Israel Defense forces open some of its bases to the public

Israeli flags for decorations

Reading scripture

Reciting Hallel

Traditions and Rituals of Nakba:

Visiting sites of destroyed Palestinian villages

Speeches and rallies on the West Bank, Gaza, and Palestinian refugee camps

Additional Resources:

Yom Haatzma’ut

http://www.hillel.org/jewish/holidays/yomhaatzmaut/default

Nakba

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/some-10-000-arabs-mark-nakba-day-in-israel-s-north.premium-1.515818

Israel-Palestine Conflict

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli%E2%80%93Palestinian_conflict

Interfaith work

http://www.ifyc.org/the-interfaith-story

April 13th, 2013 is the Sikh holiday of Vaisakhi.

Context

The celebration of Vaisakhi, also called Baisakhi, is the Sikh New Year harvest festival and commemorates the founding of the Sikh community. Baisakhi began as a harvest festival in the India region of Punjab but became a significant Sikh holiday in 1699. Sikh’s have a long history of standing up against tyranny and oppression against humankind, to defend the defenseless.

While celebrating the Vaisakhi harvest festival in 1699 Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, asked if five people would be willing to die for the sake of their religion, to defend humanity by becoming a Saint-Soldier. Guru Gobind Singh Sahib asked this question while holding a sword in his hand and five men stepped forward, expecting to give their lives on the spot. Guru Gobind Singh Sahid baptized these men and began the group of Khalsa.

The Sikh religion commemorates the first five men who comprised the Khalsa with five symbols called five Ks. The five Ks include the Kesh(uncut hair), the Kangha (comb), the Katchera (underwear), the Kara (steel ring), and the Kirpan (sword).

Significance

Baisakhi is also celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists since the harvest festival began as a Punjab regional holiday and New Year. Hindus celebrate this New Year by bathing in the Ganges River for ritual baths that honor the Goddess Ganga who descended to earth thousands of years ago.

In Kerala, another region in India, the festival is called “Vishu” which means “equal” in Sanskrit and commemorates the vernal equinox. In Assam, another part of India, the festivalis called Bohag Bihu, where the first crops of the season are offered in hopes of peace and prosperity in the coming year.

Buddhists celebrate Vaisakha as a remembrance of the Awakening and Enlightened Passing Away of Buddha Bautama, who was born as the Indian Prince Siddharta.

Rituals/Traditions

Dancing the traditional Bhangra, a strenuous dance that tells the story of the agricultural process
Sikh devotees generally attend the Gurdwara (place of worship) before dawn with flowers and offerings
Processionals through town
Sikh baptisms
New clothes
Fireworks
Feasting and gift-giving

Additional Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaisakhi

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/12/vaisakhi-sikh-holiday_n_848191.html#s264306&title=Bhangra_Dance

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/satpal-singh/vaisakhi-of-the-sikhs-lif_b_848850.html

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/india/vaisakhi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishu

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bihu

March 31st, 2013 is the Christian and Catholic holiday of Easter.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity celebrates Easter on May 5th, 2013.

Context

The celebration of Easter is a time for Christians to remember the resurrection of Jesus, who Christians believe to be fully God and fully human. According to the New Testament in the Bible, Jesus was put to death and physically raised from the dead three days later. Christians believe this action to be the defining moment in history, that all time had pointed to this moment, and that Jesus’ defeat of death represents new life for all who believe in His divinity. Jesus self-identified as being the Son of the Abrahamic God and claimed that His death reconciled man’s division from God.

Easter is celebrated by western Christianity and Catholicism according to the lunisolar patterns on the Gregorian calendar. The moveable date for Easter was established in 325CE by the First Council of Nicaea to be on the first Sunday after the full moon following the March equinox. Eastern Orthodox Christian traditions are set according to the Julian calendar, which has a 13-day difference from the Gregorian calendar. The precise date of when Jesus rose from the dead is not conclusive by scholars, therefore Easter is celebrated as a moveable feast.

Significance

Easter is recognized by Christians as the most important Christian holiday. The 40 days leading up to Easter are observed as Lent, a solemn time of remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice and love for all people. The week before Easter is called Holy Week that celebrates the last few events of Jesus’ life before He was unjustly killed and rose from the dead. Holy Week recognizes the events of Palm Sunday, Maundy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Each of these days reflects events recorded in the Christian Bible about the plots to kill Jesus, Jesus’ anticipation and willingness to sacrifice Himself, His betrayal, the trial of Jesus, the torture of Jesus, the unjust killing of Jesus as a common criminal, and the burial of Jesus.

Because of historical connections to the lunisolar calendar, many Easter traditions are derived from Pagan traditions that celebrate the changes during the spring equinox. Eggs and rabbits are fertility symbols that Christians adopted from the Germanic pagan goddess of the dawn, Ēostre. However, many symbols of new life also remind Christians of the open relationship they can have with God as a result of Jesus taking on the punishment that they deserve.

Rituals/Traditions

Attending midnight or sunrise church services
Symbols include: red or colored eggs, lilies, empty tombs, crosses, candles
Music, singing, and dancing to joyfully remember new life because of Jesus
Celebratory processionals
New clothes
Meals shared with family and friends
Lamb served as the main course representing Jesus as the sacrificed innocent lamb

Additional Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_customs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/31/easter-photos_n_2988649.html#slide=2285003

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/common/easter-sunday

March 27th, 2013 is the first day of Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors.

Context

Holi (pronounced HO-LEE) is the Hindu spring festival also called the “Festival of Colors” and is observed primarily in India and Nepal but is celebrated by Indians and Hindus worldwide. Holi is a time that celebrates the beginning of spring and commemorates the vibrant colors that come after winter. The highlight of Holi is when people throw colorful scented powder and perfumed water at each other. Depending on the geographical location, Holi is celebrated anywhere between 2-16 days.

Social boundaries of class, religion, gender, age, and caste are lowered during Holi and everyone enjoys an exciting and joyful atmosphere. The end of the festivities are marked by lighting bonfires to remember the mythological Hindu significance of the holiday. Although Holi has ties to Hindu mythology, it is generally regarded as the least religious festival and has developed as a seasonal holiday that prioritizes bridging social differences.

Significance

The celebration of Holi is recounted in Hindu sacred texts as a remembrance of several stories. The first is the miraculous story of Prahlada. Prahlada was the son of the king of the Demons, Hiranyakashipu, but Prahlada was a devoted follower of the Hindu god Lord Vishnu. Prahalada’s commitment to Vishnu angered Hiranyakashipu and he attempted to kill his son. In one attempt Prahlada was forced to sit in a fire with his sister Holika, but Holika burned to death and Prahlada survived and was unharmed.

The second story celebrated during Holi is the love play of the divine couple, Radha and Krishna. Radha’s mother suggested he smear any color he wanted on Krishna’s fair complexion to communicate his love for her in a playful manner. Today, young lovers communicate their affection to one another with the same lighthearted gesture during Holi.

The third mythological story of Holi is another deity love play of the Goddess Parvati who tries to win the heart of Lord Shiva. Parvati invoked the help of Kamadava, the Indian cupid-god, who shot a love-arrow on Shiva’s heart. Lord Shiva reacted to the love-arrow by opening his third eye in anger and incinerated Kamadeva. Upon realizing his mistake, Lord Shiva granted Kamadeva immortality for the sake of his sacrifice in dying for love. Today, Holi traditions acknowledge this story by offering sandalwood paste and mango blossoms to Kamadeva to soothe his burns.

Rituals/Traditions

Throwing colored powder and water at everyone
Water balloons or water guns full of scented or colored powder
Music, singing, and dancing outside
Sandalwood bonfires
Perform traditional love plays
Collecting firewood in weeks leading up to Holi
Food offerings to the gods
House cleaning for the coming spring

Additional Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/holi

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/india/holi

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/07/holi-2012-festival-of-colors-spring-songs-photos_n_1326812.html

March 26th, 2013 is the Zoroastrianism holiday Khordad Sal.

Context

Khordad Sal is the Zoroastrian celebration of the birth of Zoroaster, the founder of the Zoroastrianism religion. The holiday is specifically celebrated in India and Iran, immediately following the Persian new year, Noruz. Zoroaster is credited as being the author of the Zoroastrian texts, the Gathas, which are religious liturgical hymns.

Significance

The Gathas contain references to Zoroaster’s triumphs over personal obstacles, family history details, and accounts of spreading his teachings. Zoroaster was born into a family of priests and experienced his first illumination from Ahura Mazda, the highest deity of Zoroastrianism, at the age of 30.

Zoroaster’s doctrine was based on human’s mental struggle between truth and lie, for the purpose of sustaining truth, creation, existence, and free will. The central ethics of the faith are based on “Good Words, Good Thoughts, and Good Deeds.”

Rituals/Traditions

Parties
Prayers at sacred Fire Temples (fire representing purity, God’s light, and wisdom)
Brightly colored folk art decorate homes called Rangoli
New clothes are worn by everyone
Flowers decorate homes
Sharing a grand feast with family and friends
Reflect on lives and actions
Make resolutions for the future

Additional Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroaster

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khordad_Sal

http://festivals.iloveindia.com/khordad-sal/Khordad-sal-date.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/zoroastrian/worship/worship.shtml

http://www.readthespirit.com/religious-holidays-festivals/zoroastrian-observe-greater-noruz-on-khordad-sal/

http://www.zoroastrian.org/articles/index.htm

March 26th, 2013 is the beginning of Passover/Pesach (beginning at sundown the night before).

Context

Passover is a seven day (8 days for Jews not in Israel) Jewish holiday that commemorates the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in ancient Egypt 3,300 years ago. The Bible tells the story of the Jewish people enslaved in Egypt for centuries who were then freed by God through the leadership of the prophet Moses. God inflicted 10 plagues on the Egyptians to demonstrate his holiness and power to the Pharaoh who did not believe in monotheism. The tenth plague was the death of all the first-borns (humans and animals) in Egypt. The Israelites were instructed to mark their homes with the blood of a slaughtered lamb and then to eat the lamb for their evening meal. This act demonstrated ultimate trust in God to pass over Hebrew families and not inflict this plague on their families. Overcome with grief for his own first-born son, the Pharaoh acknowledged God and released the Israelites from slavery.

Significance

Tradition states that the Israelites were in such a hurry to leave Egypt that they did not wait for bread dough to rise. To commemorate their flight, only unleavened bread is eaten during Passover, which is also called “The Festival of the Unleavened Bread.” Mazo bread is a symbol of the holiday. Biblical instructions for the original Passover meal are still followed by Jewish tradition today. Messianic Jews and some Christians also observe Passover.

Remembering God’s actions of saving his people is an important tenant of this holiday: “For seven days eat bread made without yeast and on the seventh day hold a festival to the Lord. 7 Eat unleavened bread during those seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders. 8 On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that this law of the Lord is to be on your lips. For the Lord brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand. 10 You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year.” (Exodus 13:6-10)

Rituals/Traditions

Passover Sedar meal (Click here to read more!)
Burning chametz (leavening ingredients) to remove all of it from the home
Cleaning the whole house, to make the house kosher
Eating lamb for Sedar, all meat of the lamb must be consumed before morning
Baking matzo in the weeks before Passover
Fast of the Firstborn
Sedar is celebrated in the home, rather than the synagogue
Inviting guests to the Sedar meal
Hallel and Nirtzah – songs of praise, thanksgiving, and re-dedication in remembrance of liberation
Sedar traditions are meant to peak the interest of children and engage them in the rituals

Additional Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/passover/

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/871715/jewish/What-Is-Passover.htm

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/first-day-of-passover

March 24th, 2013 is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week before Easter.

Context

Palm Sunday marks the Sunday before Easter and begins the week-long observance of Holy week in all Christian and Catholic traditions. Palm Sunday is also celebrated in Orthodox Christianity, but is celebrated on April 28th, 2013 in accordance with the Orthodox calendar.

Palm Sunday recognizes the day that Jesus entered into Jerusalem about a week before he was executed. Crowds waved palm branches and laid the branches on the ground to create a path for him into the city. Citizens of Jerusalem celebrated Jesus’ entry by saying, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John 12:13) These actions and words signified the belief that Jesus would rise to political power as a religious king sent by God.

Significance

This holiday is often celebrated as solemn holiday, marking the days leading up to the betrayal of Jesus, and his execution at the end of the week. But there is hope in remembering that Jesus raised from the dead a week later on Easter. Some celebrate this holiday joyfully, remembering that Jesus was not a political leader, but has risen from the dead and defeated the effects of sin and death.

Although Jesus was expected to rise in political power, Jesus did not use force or political authority. Religious leaders and political powers feared the influence Jesus had on the masses. Jesus quietly rode on a humble donkey into the city still drew crowds of followers, but this marked the beginning of plots to kill Jesus to remove his influence by his radical ideas of God’s love and grace.

Rituals/Traditions

Palm Branches in church services
Donkey processionals
Holy water used as a blessing
Recounting the word “Hosanna”
Saving the palm branches to be burned for next year’s Ash Wednesday

Additional Resources

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/palm-sundayhttp://www.crystalinks.com/noruz.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Sunday

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/palm-sunday

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/24/palm-sunday-holy-week_n_2943824.html?utm_hp_ref=religion#slide=2257750

March 21st, 2013 is Nowrūz, the Iranian/Persian New Year and the most important Zoroastrian holiday.

Context

The word Nowrūz (pronounced NO-ROOZ) is a compound of two Persian words that mean “new” and “day”. Nowrūz marks the first day of spring and is celebrated on the spring equinox. Nowrūz (also spelled Noruz or Newroz) is a Zoroastrian festival that was invented by Zoroaster, the founder of the Zoroastrian religion. Nowrūz is a 13 day festival that begins on the night of the equinox when families gather to celebrate the sun crossing the equator.

While the Zoroastrian faith was founded in Iran, Nowrūz is also celebrated in parts of India, Central Asia, South Asia, Northwestern China, Crimea, and in the Balkans. Iranians and Parsis around the world celebrate Nowrūz, regardless of their religious backgrounds Nowrūz is also considered a non-religious national holiday in many countries. Baha’i’s also celebrate Nowrūz as the conclusion to their Nineteen Day Fast. It is unclear when this holiday was first celebrated, but records show that it began during the ancient Persian empire between 555-330 BC and the holiday persisted after the establishment of Islam in Iran.

Significance

Some believe that actions on Nowrūz affect the rest of the coming year, so if kindness and generosity is demonstrated on Nowrūz, the coming year will be good. Nowrūz also is a time for cleaning the house to make their lives fresh for the new year. Preparations for Nowrūz in Iran begin almost a month in advance, in anticipation of the most important holiday in Iran. Baha’i’s view the holiday as a time for internal spiritual cleansing in addition to physical cleansing. Shia Muslims celebrate Nowrūz as the day when Ali was declared the successor of the prophet.

Rituals/Traditions

The Haft-Sin (or the Seven S’s) is a table that displays 7 traditional items that begin with S
1. Sabza – wheat, barley or lentils that have been allowed to grow for 7 days, symbolizing renewal and are disposed of after the celebration to symbolize taking away the bad influences of the previous year
2. Sepand – seeds of wild rue burned as incense
3. Sib – apples (symbolizing beauty and health)
4. Sekka – newly minted coins (symbolizing wealth)
5. Sir – garlic cloves (symbolizing medicine)
6. Serka – vinegar (symbolizing age and patience)
7. Samanu – a thick, sweet paste made from wheat, oil, water, almonds and walnuts (symbolizing affluence)
8. Additional items often used to decorate the haft-sin table include:
  1. Candles (Fire)
  2. Mirrors (Sky)
  3. Colored eggs (Fertility)
  4. A holy book
  5. Hyacinth flowers
  6. Dried fruit
  7. Sumac berries
  8. Wine
  9. Sugar/honey/syrup/candy
Wearing new clothes and shoes, then donating the previous year’s clothing to the poor
Exchanging gifts between friends and family
Outdoor picnics to avoid bad luck on the 13th day of Nowrūz
Lighting fire (the holy element of Zoroastrianism) and holding celebrations around the fire, or jumping over bonfires!
Visiting elders of the family first, then making short visits to friends and family

Additional Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowruz#Nowruz_in_the_Zoroastrian_faith

http://www.crystalinks.com/noruz.html

http://www.zoroastrian.org/articles/nowruz.htm

http://altreligion.about.com/od/holidaysfestivalsevents/p/nawruz.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/nowruz