Out with the old, In with the new

`tis spring, flowers full and happiness in the green grass vine
All the blossoms are blooming except mine
Lose not heart free spirit on New Year’s Day
I heard from the lips of a lily today
Do not sing the seven shams this New Year’s Eve I beg thee
Complaint, curse, corruption, cacophony, clumsiness, chaos, and cruelty
The seven symbols, serene greenery, scented hyacinth and sweet apple
Senged, samanu, salway and song spell.
Send the seven symbols to the table of a lover
Throw the seven shams to the door of an ill wisher
`tis new year’s eve, rid the heart of darkness
Eventually this black night will turn to light
Carry out the New Year tradition and God willing
Bring back the feeling to that of the excellent beginning
In harmony with the rebirth of nature, the Iranian New Year celebration, or Nowruz, always begin on the first day of spring. The year changes on the vernal equinox, which may occur on March 20, 21.or22. Nowruz ceremonies are symbolic representations of two ancient concepts- The end and the rebirth, and Good and Evil.
What we have today as Nowruz with its’ uniquely Iranian characteristics has been celebrated for at least 3000 years and is deeply rooted in the traditions of Zoroastrian belief system.
A few weeks before the New Year, we "the Iranians" clean and rearrange our homes, as the ancient belief that the livings were visited by the soul of their dead ancestor. The ceremonial clothes are set up on Persian carpet or on a table in each household with seven items which each symbolizes a wish or theme and the triumph of good over evil. All seven items in this ceremonial table starts with the Persian letter Seen or S in English. Number seven has been regarded as magical by Iranians since ancient times and is symbolic of heaven's highest angels. The seven items are Sabzeh (grown wheat or lentil) for rebirth, Samanu (flour and sugar) for sweetness of life, Sekeh (coin ) for prosperity and wealth, Senjed ( dried fruit of Lotus tree) for love, Seer (garlic) for health, Somaq ( sumac berries) for warmth and Serkeh ( vinegar) for patience. The other items are painted eggs, which represent fertility, a mirror that represents image and reflection of life, and a goldfish in a bowl that represents life. Along with the seven articles, Muslims place the Holy Quran and Zoroastrians put the Avesta in their New Year table to implore God's blessings. On the same table some special sweets are placed either, according to a 3000 old legend, king Jamshid discovered sugar on NOWRUZ (the word candy comes from the Persian word, sugar,qand). Troubadours(hadji firuz) while disguising themselves with make up and red colored outfits of satin, sing, dance and parade as a carnival through the streets with tambourines, kettle drums, and trumpets to spread good cheer and the news of coming the New Year. He is usually accompanied by one or two other persons. They inform people that spring had come and that winter has gone. In return, people give them gifts or money for the good news that they brought. We have another celebration held on the eve of the last Tuesday night of the year called chahar shanbe sury. Shortly after the sunset of the last Tuesday, bonfires are lit in public places and the families gathering, leaping over the flames, shouting "sorkhiye to az man, zardie man az to!" (Literally, "give me your beautiful red color and take back my sickly pallor.") With the help of fire and light, symbols of good, we hope to see our ways through this unlucky night-the end of the year- to the arrival of spring’s longer days. In the evening, children run through the streets, banging on pots and pans with spoons (qashogh zani), to beat out the last unlucky Wednesday of the year while they knock on doors to ask for treats just like Halloween. To this way, we buy new clothes, and bake pastries.
When the clock strikes New Year, all the members of the family in their clean and new clothes, gather around the Norouz table and Haftseen. The family begins the New Year with a prayer for health, happiness and prosperity, with lots of hugs and new unused money passed around the family by the elders and usually with recitation of some verses of Hafez & Quran:"O Reformer of hearts and minds, Director of day and night and Transformer of conditions, change ours to the best in accordance with Your will."
Modern Iranians celebrate New Year for 13 days only. The first few days are spent visiting older members of the family other relatives and friends. Gifts are exchanged; sweets and feasts will be consumed. At the last day, the 13th of the first month called sizdeh- bedar, literally outdoor thirteen, Persians to overcome the bad luck they spend the entire day out of the house with families and friends in the parks having a picnic. Far from home, they throw the sprouts into the water & complete the process of the end of 1 year & rebirth of another. Wishing to get married by the next year, unmarried girls tie blades of grass together. There is much singing, dancing, eating, drinking on this joyful day that marks the end of the Nowruz celebration.
source: Book named "New Food of Life"