LOS ALAMITOS, CA — Nowruz is a New Year celebration that follows the Iranian calendar. It occurs when the sun crosses the equator and the time between day and night are of equal length. On Western calendars, it is sometime between March 19 and 21.

The origins of Nowruz

Nowruz first originated from the Persian religion of Zoroastrianism. It predates Christianity and Islam, and is considered to be the oldest religion in the world. It shares many similarities with more modern religions with focuses on having a good mind, being righteous, and showing kindness. The holiday itself has been around for more than 3,000 years and has stood the test of time.

How is it celebrated?

Nowruz festivities usually last two weeks and consists of many fun activities like dancing, singing, and eating. It is also a way for family members to meet up and reunite. The Haft-Seen table is also an important part of the holiday. This is when family members place seven items that begin with the letter S, like Sikkeh which stands for coin, on the table. It can have other symbolic items that represent a new year and restarting. Some popular foods from the festivities are “ash-e resteh” or noodle soup, and faloodah, a Persian ice cream topped with noodles.

Its place in American society 

There are close to 700,000 Persian immigrants living in the United States, and a lot of them live in California. LA is a hot spot for Persian food and a great way to learn more about their culture. While Persians are mistakenly associated with Iranians, many of them prefer to be called Persians as it is their identity.

Conclusion

Nowruz is a vital part of not only much of Asia and the Middle East, but also to American society, namely in our home state of California. The food and culture contributed not only tastes and looks good, but leaves a mark on the legacy of immigration and the American dream.