Philosophy of Nowruz Festival in Ancient Persia (Part 3)
Nowruz is the most ancient national custom in the world that has remained to the day and it is one of the best factors for continuation of the culture originally established by the Iranians (southern Aryans).
The glory of Nowruz can be grasped from many signs, from the stone inscriptions of Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid) to the literary works in Persian and Arabic languages. One of the most ancient and comprehensive sources of ancient festivals, myths, rites and rituals is Kitab al-Athar al-Baqiyah `an al-Qurun al-Khaliyah (Chronology of Ancient Nations, also known as Vestiges of the Past) written by Abu Rayhan Al-Biruni’s (d. 1048).
Biruni in his definition of Nowruz says: “It is the first day of the month of Farvardin. It is called new day because it is the forehead of the New Year and what follows for five days after this day are all celebrations.”
In fact, Nowruz is a combined word of two parts in Persian Language: “Now” meaning new and “Ruz” meaning day. It refers to the first day of the first month of the solar year, when the sun is fixed on Aries the Ram.
There is little consensus of opinion on Nowruz between the historians and researchers. Apparently Aryan emigrants in their migration to the Iranian plateau and sharing borders with Mesopotamian Civilization divided the year into two halves each beginning with a great change. The two festivals of Nowruz and Mehregan marked the beginning of each half of the year, i.e. Nowruz festival was observed during summer change and Mehregan festival was observed during winter change.
Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi
Other links:
Philosophy of Nowruz Festival in Ancient Persia (Part 1)
Philosophy of Nowruz Festival in Ancient Persia (Part 2)
Philosophy of Nowruz Festival in Ancient Persia (Part 4)
