Nowrouz marks first day of spring and the beginning of the Iranian year .It is celebrated on March 21st on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox (start of spring).
A symbol of Nowrouz:a bowl with two goldfish (life, and the sign of Pisces which the sun is leaving)
A major tradition of Norouz is the setting of the Haft Sîn (هفت سین) - the seven 'S's, seven items starting with letter S or sîn (س) in Persian alphabet), which are seven specific items on a table symbolically corresponding to the seven creations and the seven holy immortals protecting them. Today they are changed and modified but some have kept their symbolism. Every family attempts to set as beautiful a Haft Sîn table as they can, as it is not only of special spiritual meaning to them, but also is noticed by visitors to their house during Norouzi visitations and is a reflection of their good taste.
Haft Sin bzw. Haft Chin, gesprochen [Haft Tschin] - im Iran gesprochen [Haft Sin], sind die sieben Sachen, mit denen die Sofra bzw. Sofreh ("Tafel") während des Nauroz(iranisch: Norouz)festes d.h. des persischen Neujahrsfestes zu Frühlingsbeginn (um den 21. März) im Iran , in Afghanistan, Tadschikistan und in Zentralasien dekoriert wird.
sabzeh a symbol for Nowrouz- wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish (symbolising rebirth)
Winter Fest (Chelle Night or Yaldā): is celebrated on the eve of the first day of the winter (December 21) in the Iranian calendar, which falls on the Winter Solstice. It celebrates the birth of Sun god Mithra.
Winter Fest: Some historians believe that the festival spread to Europe through contacts between the Roman and Persian empires and was eventually replaced by Christmas; a theory that accounts for the celebration of Christmas on 25 December, rather than the later date of January 6 that is believed to be the correct date of birth of Christ by eastern orthodox church.
