Navruz is a holiday of the spring equinox and the beginning of a new agricultural year among the Persian-speaking and a number of Turkic-speaking peoples of Kazakhstan, Central and Asia Minor, Iran, as well as among the Bashkirs and Tatars.

In September 2009, Nowruz was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and at the end of February 2010, the 64th session of the UN General Assembly declared March 21 "International Day of Nowruz".

History of Navruz

The Navruz holiday is one of the most ancient on Earth. It was celebrated even before Zoroastrianism. In the state of the Achaemenids (VI-IV centuries BC) and Sassanids (III-VII century AD), Navruz was considered the main holiday.

It is believed that the origin of the holiday is ancient Iranian, associated with the cult of the Sun and the name of the legendary prophet Zarathushtra.

There is a legend that several events happened on this day: Zarathushtra was chosen by God to bring happiness to people", the mythical king Tahmuras "sent evil divas and ruthless people to prison", and "Goshtosp, Princess Kaetun and Jomosp adopted the Mazdayasna faith", then eat Zoroastrianism

The origin of Navruz is also associated with the mythical king Jamshid, on whom the rays of the sun fell that day.

The oldest source that mentions the celebration of Navruz is the sacred book of Zoroastrianism "Avesta". According to the teachings of the Avesta, every spring people should celebrate the appearance of life on earth, which originated "in six forms" (sky, water, earth, plants, animals and man).

Cultural value of Nowruz 2019

In February 2010, this holiday was recognized by the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day of Navruz and was included by UNESCO in the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Over its thousand-year history, the Navruz holiday has become a symbol of the revival and renewal of nature and society, spiritual purification and self-improvement of man. This bright, blessed holiday personifies prosperity, unity, brotherhood and mutual support, all those enduring cultural and historical values ​​that unite peoples. This is a great heritage inherited from our common ancestors, we must protect and develop it.

The period of celebration of Navruz at all times was accompanied by the strengthening of human and family relations, bonds of friendship and good neighborliness, a manifestation of special hospitality between neighbors.

Why Nowruz is celebrated on March 21

The celebration of Navruz on the day of the vernal equinox is associated with the emergence of the solar chronology calendar; it appeared among the peoples of Central Asia and Iran seven thousand years ago, long before the rise of Islam.

According to him, the year began in the spring on March 20 or 21, when the length of the day is equal to the night and spring finally comes into its own. The time is coming for a new field suffering, the time of worries and hopes of the farmer.

In ancient times, the date of Navruz was determined by astrologers. Now they have been replaced by astronomers who calculate the date of the arrival of Navruz with an accuracy of up to a minute.

How many days celebrate Nowruz 2019

In ancient times Navruz was celebrated for 13 days. At the end of the celebrations, people went out into the field, where they celebrated the New Year. That was the omen. It was believed that those who went out into the field these days to enjoy nature would be accompanied by happiness and prosperity throughout the coming year.

This tradition has been preserved in Iran, where the celebration of Navruz usually lasts for 13 days, of which the first 5 are dedicated to the meeting of Navruz and visiting relatives and friends. The ninth is known as Shahryaran Nowruz (Shah's Navruz), and the thirteenth is known as Sizda bedar ("The thirteenth is away from home").

In Tajikistan, residents officially rest on Navruz for four days, that is, on March 21, 22, 23 and 24.

Navruz in Farsi means "new day", and "bairam" is a Turkic word and means "holiday". This is one of the most ancient holidays on Earth, symbolizing the beginning of a new life.

Navruz acquired official status in the Persian Empire of the Achaemenids (VI-IV centuries BC). It continued to be celebrated after the Islamic conquests, right up to the present.

And although the celebration of Navruz is common among Muslim peoples, it is not religious, but rather folk holiday, which is associated with spring, the beginning of agricultural work, the awakening of nature and the onset of warm days.

Celebration

The origin of the holiday is associated with the cult of the Sun and the name of the ancient Persian prophet Zarathushtra. The sacred book of the Zoroastrians "Avesta" is the oldest source, where the celebration of Navruz is mentioned.

According to the teachings of the Avesta, every spring people should celebrate the appearance of life on earth, which was born "in six forms" (sky, water, earth, plants, animals and man).

According to legend, many legendary events took place on this day, including Zoroaster was chosen by God to bring happiness to people, and the mythical king Tahmuras sent evil divas and ruthless people to prison. The origin of Navruz is also associated with the mythical king Jamshid, on whom the rays of the sun fell that day.

According to Turkic legends, on this day the Turks escaped from the encirclement by leaving Ergenekon (a territory surrounded by mountains). Therefore, Navruz was accepted by the Turkic peoples as the beginning of the New Year and is celebrated to this day.

The holiday, for many years of its existence, was either canceled or reintroduced. And today it is celebrated not in all Muslim countries. In the Middle East, the holiday is celebrated only by those peoples who lived there even before the arrival of the Arabs and the widespread spread of Islam.

The Arabs themselves do not celebrate this holiday. Moreover, Navruz is officially banned in Syria, and in Turkey the ban on its celebration was lifted only in 1991.

Navruz as the official beginning of the new year according to the astronomical solar calendar is celebrated on March 21 in Iran and Afghanistan, as well as in Iraqi Kurdistan, India, Macedonia and so on. Nowruz is also the beginning of the year according to the Baha'i calendar.

In the CIS countries, Navruz is celebrated as a national holiday by Tatars, Bashkirs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Tajiks, Uzbeks and many other peoples. Depending on the country or region, the name of the holiday is pronounced differently - Novruz, Nauruz, Nuruz, Nevruz, Nauryz, Nouruz and so on.

© photo: Sputnik / Taras Litvinenko

Muslims during the celebration of the holiday "Navruz" in the Khan's Palace in Bakhchisaray

The duration of the holiday also varies. In some states it is celebrated for three days, while in others five or more. In ancient times Navruz was celebrated for 13 days. At the end of the celebrations, people went out into the field, where they celebrated the New Year. In the old days, it was believed that those who enjoy nature these days in the field will be accompanied by happiness and prosperity throughout the coming year. this tradition has been preserved.

This tradition has been preserved in some countries, including Iran, where people spend the 13th day of spring in nature with their relatives.

In ancient times, the date of Navruz was determined by astrologers. Now astronomers are calculating the date of the arrival of Navruz with an accuracy of up to a minute. In 2018, the Spring Equinox Day will come on March 20 at 16:15 UTC (Universal Coordinated Time), or 20:15 Tbilisi time.

The celebration of Navruz on the day of the vernal equinox is associated with the emergence of the solar chronology calendar, which appeared among the peoples of Central Asia and Iran seven thousand years ago, long before the rise of Islam.

This Navruz differs from the Muslim New Year, since the Muslim calendar is based on the lunar annual cycle. The Muslim lunar year begins with the month of Muharram, that is, the New Year begins on the 1st of the month of Muharram, which is the first month of the Muslim calendar.

Traditions

Since ancient times, the importance of this period of the year for people's lives has given rise to many traditions, customs and rituals that are associated with magical actions, the cult of nature and fertility.

Muslims begin preparing for Navruz a month before the holiday - Tuesdays are considered especially pre-holiday. Each of the four Tuesdays (chershenbe) has its own name in accordance with the natural element (water, fire, earth and wind), to the "awakening" of which it is dedicated.

Sputnik

Baku celebrates "Earth Tuesday" before Novruz holiday

The awakening of these elements of nature portends the arrival of the fifth, main element, a new bright day - Navruz, the beginning of the revival and complete revival of the earth. Accordingly, every Tuesday has its own ancient traditions and rituals, many of which have survived to this day.

On the first Tuesday, they begin to plant "syamyan" - sprouted seeds of wheat, an integral symbol of Navruz. It is a symbol of life, wealth, health and well-being of the family.

Despite the fact that the name of the Muslim New Year in languages different peoples sounds with different intonations, the traditions of its celebration in all countries are approximately the same. So, in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, there is a tradition to fumigate dwellings on the night before the holiday with smoking twigs of juniper in order to expel evil spirits.

Before the holiday, you need to repent of sins, reconcile with enemies, forgive debts. According to legend, on the days of Navruz, good farishta angels bring abundance and prosperity to those who have pure thoughts, who have a bright soul, who have a clean house. Therefore, before Navruz, the owners try to put the house in order, whitewash and repair it.

© photo: Sputnik / Evgeny Kostin

All household work related to the celebration of Navruz must be completed the day before, including cleaning, preparing festive dishes, decorating the home with green branches of an apple tree and a pomegranate.

Be sure to wash clothes, especially children's, as it was believed that water would wash away all the negativity. Even before Islam, the week before Navruz was considered dedicated to the souls of ancestors. Ancestors were commemorated, making offerings to them and asking them for help in the coming year, protection from troubles.

Customs and rituals

The custom to kindle ritual bonfires, light torches and candles has survived to this day, since the Zoroastrians were fire worshipers and considered fire to be a life force.

Therefore, before the New Year, symbolic rites of purification are carried out. Fires are lit on the streets of towns and villages, and people must jump over one fire seven times or seven fires once each. On the last night of the old year, it is customary to splash each other with water and jump over running water to cleanse oneself of last year's sins.

Navruz is the time of divination. Girls of marriageable age are especially fond of this. That evening, they throw a shoe over their heads and determine by the direction of its toe whether they will stay in their parents' house for another year or move to the house of their betrothed.

According to the old custom, festive evening with the onset of Navruz, it is customary to eavesdrop on the conversations of neighbors through windows or doors, and, depending on the pleasant or unpleasant conversation heard, determine how successful or unsuccessful the coming year will be for both the eavesdroppers and the owners.

According to popular beliefs, a lot on this holiday depends on the arrival of the first person in the house. The first guest of the new year should have a quiet and kind character, be with a good sense of humor, have a good name and reputation, and most importantly, have a "happy leg", that is, bring good luck to the house.

In Uzbekistan, they believe that the deeds done by a person during the thirteen days of Navruz will be done by him all year. Therefore, it is customary to forgive each other's debts, to live with everyone in peace.

Festive feast

On this day, all family members gather at the New Year's festive table, which is called "haft-sin". Depending on the region, the assortment of festive dishes is different, but magical items and products that symbolize purity, light, abundance, happiness and fertility in the New Year must be present.

According to tradition, there should be seven dishes on the table, the name of which begins with the letter "sin" (s): samyan (sprouted grains), seb (apple), sir (garlic), sumac (barberry), sirko (vinegar), sipand ( spinach), sonjit (olive).

© photo: Sputnik /

Various dishes of lamb, fish, chicken and eggs are prepared for the holiday, richly seasoned with various spices and decorated with herbs.

On a festively served table, there must be a ritual delicacy sumalak (malt halva), boiled from the juice of germinated wheat grains with the addition of sugar and flour.

A mirror and candles according to the number of family members must be placed on the table. These candles cannot be extinguished until they burn out to the end. Be sure to serve homemade bread, nuts, almonds, milk, cheese, fish, eggs, dyed in green color, a vessel with rose water, a bowl of water in which a green leaf floats. And, of course, the Koran should be on the table.

Traditional sweets are served on the festive table - shekerbura, baklava, badambura, gogal and so on, as well as sweet pilaf seasoned with sultanas and dried fruits and other goodies.

For guests who have come to the holiday, the host holds out a dish with barely sprouted grain, the eating of which symbolizes participation in the revival of all living things.

The festive ritual is not limited to a feast. On this day, children go from house to house and sing songs about Navruz, and they are presented with sweets. Artists perform on the streets, wits compete, songs and jokes sound.

© photo: Sputnik / Vladimir Pirogov

In Uzbekistan, folk festivals take place on this day, for example, the game of Kopkari, fights and horse races. There are similar traditions in Kyrgyzstan - during the festivities, the art of riding is demonstrated with the participation of local communities in such horse races as Kyz kuumai (competition in which the rider must catch up with the girl on horseback), Enish (rider wrestling) and Zhamby Atuu (shooting from an onion).

Other Novruz traditions include local street performances, a circus in Iran called Band Bazi, and sport's event Buz Kashi in Afghanistan, which consists in the fact that the riders use the headless carcass of a goat to play.

The Navruz holiday in September 2009 was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, and in February 2010 the UN General Assembly declared March 21 the International Day of Navruz.

The material was prepared on the basis of open sources.

This material does not contain a description of Navruz in the form in which we are accustomed to seeing it today. As a result of a little research, here we bring to your attention seven facts about Nowruz, which most of those who celebrate it were not even aware of.

Navruz in literal translation from Tajik (Farsi-Dari) means a new day (nav - new, ruz - day) or, as they used to call it, the holiday of the Equinox.

Speaking about the ancient roots of the holiday, most scholars refer to the “Shahnameh” (Book of Kings) by Abulkasim Firdousi (X-XI centuries), who in his epic tells about the Persians / Aryans from the time of the creation of the world until the capture of the empire by the Arab conquerors (VII century). However, the first mention of Navruz contains an even older book "Avesta" - Holy Bible one of the oldest religions in the world, Zoroastrianism, which was widespread in the territory of modern Central Asia, Transcaucasia, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan before Islam. The history of Navruz is also mentioned in their later works by Biruni, at-Tabari, the ancient Greek historian Strabo and many others.

Based on all these historical documents, the editors of the Internet portal "Russia for All" tried to understand the history of Navruz,sense of its traditions and symbols , as well as to understand how blurred those concepts that were originally laid down in the holiday itself and its rites, in isolation from today's idea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe holiday.

Jamshed, who owns Nowruz

During the celebration of Navruz, you can always hear the wishes “Navruzi Jamshedi Muborak Bod”, which can literally be translated as “Congratulations on Jamshed Navruz”.Most researchers and historians It is believed that Navruz began to be celebrated under King Jamshed, the great-great-grandson of King Kayumars. This is evidenced by the works of Khayyam Nishapuri, Abu Reyhan Biruni and Abulkasim Firdousi, which have survived to this day.

According to Ferdowsi's Shahnameh epic, Jamshed established the holiday in the third period (each of which consisted of 50 years) of his 700-year reign, and for the next 300 years, people under his rule lived in peace and tranquility. Hence the combination of "Navruz Jamshed", or "Jamshed Navruz":

Like the sun of heavenly heights,
That glorified ruler shone.
The people gathered for his celebration,
He marveled at the greatness of his king.
Jamshid, showering with diamond rain,
They called that joyful day New Day.
That day was Ormazd, the month was Farvardin.
Forgetting about worries, not remembering the grief,
To the sound of the string, for buckets of wine,
All the nobility feasted, full of fun.
And people saved that holy holiday,
As a memory of the ancient rulers of the earth.

The date of the holiday was the day of hormoz of the month of farvardin - the first day of the new year according to the astronomical solar calendar, which falls on March 21 according to today's calendar.

Photo: © Peretz Partensky, Flickr.com

How is Nowruz connected with the spirits of the dead?

In ancient times (in Zoroastrianism) it was believed that 10 days before the onset of the month Farvardin, that is, the end of the year and the onset of Navruz, the souls of dead ancestors begin to descend from heaven to visit their descendants and see them.

Therefore, the practice of preparing for this holiday began in advance even then: they clean houses and quarters, put on new clothes, light a fire and incense, spreading a pleasant smell throughout the dwelling - all so that with the dawn of the first day of the month of Farvardin (the beginning of Navruz), the fravahars (spirits) of the dead can return to their spiritual abode joyful and satisfied, knowing that their descendants are in harmony with nature.

The “Avesta” says on this occasion: “We honor the good, mighty, righteous, holy fravahars, who, before the holiday of Hamas-pat-Maidyom (that is, Navruz), descend from their monastery and for 10 days and nights they walk there, inquiring ".

From this custom, in our day, the habit of acquiring and wearing new outfits has remained.

Why is fire so important

In addition to the fact that Navruz was a harbinger of summer (and the annual victory of a good spirit over an evil one), in Zoroastrianism this holiday was also dedicated directly to fire, which was considered a life force and one of the main objects of worship.

Its main purpose in ancient times was seeing off the spirits: on the night before Navruz at dawn, people saw off the Fravahars, lighting fires on the tops of hills or on the roofs of houses, and prayed for their satisfaction, asking them to return again next year.

During the reign of the Achaemenids (VI-IV centuries BC) and Sassanids (III-VII centuries), every year fire worship took place in the temples, it was kindled both on the roofs of houses and on festive tables (candles).

Strabo wrote that “in the most ancient, ancient times and to this day, the inhabitants of Mesopotamia gather on this day in the Temple of Fire. This is the most revered holiday, when merchants close their shops, artisans stop working, everyone is having fun, treating each other with those drinks and foods that the fire has touched.

Nowadays, on the territory of Tajikistan and in other regions of compact residence of Tajiks, only candles on the tables remain from this practice. Although relatively recently, 100-150 years ago, in Samarkand, on the eve of the holiday, they kindled large fires, jumped over them, thereby asking for a plentiful harvest from nature and protection from evil spirits and genies (in some remote areas of the country this custom has been preserved, but has become only symbolic). Even women with babies jumped, thinking that thanks to this, throughout the year they would be spared from misfortunes and misfortunes.

Photo: © Jean-Pierre Dalbera, Flickr.com

The main role on Navruz is female

Few people now know, but mothers on this holiday were assigned a very significant and, one might say, the main role. Two months before the holiday, the hostess began to sew new clothes and shoes for the whole family and tried to ensure that no one was left in old clothes during Navruz, especially children. On the eve of the holiday, under her leadership, the whole house was cleaned, dust was wiped off and, of course, traditional and festive dishes were prepared. By the way, it was the woman who prepared everything needed on the roof of the house for a fire - brushwood, an oil or kerosene lamp brought in advance, a vessel with water, and so on. She also took hearth a little fire in the form of a flame, placed it in a small ateshdan (device for carrying fire) and raised it to the roof, and all the other members of the family followed her.

Previously, relatives and neighbors (the female part), in order to prepare for the ceremonies and prepare traditional bread and dishes, alternately for five days began to go from house to house and help each other in preparation for the holiday. This was especially practiced in the villages.

Where did "haft sin" come from?

The most common explanation for "Haft Sin" is seven dishes/fruits whose names begin with ﺱ (in the Iranian alphabet, the letter is called "Sin"). According to the tradition that has survived today, almost everywhere where Navruz is celebrated, as one of its main and integral attributes, during the New Year, “Haft sin” was laid out on the festive table, each of which had its own meaning: sir (garlic is a symbol medicine), sib (apples - a symbol of beauty and health), sabzi (greens (cereals) - a symbol of the rebirth of nature), senҷed (fruits of a sucker - a symbol of love), serke (vinegar - a symbol of wisdom and patience), samanu (bread cake - a symbol of prosperity), somag (sumah (type of spice) - a symbol of dawn).

However, some historians suggest that initially it was “haft shin”, and milk (shir), sugar (shakar), sweets (shirini), sherbet, etc. were laid out on the table, and “haft shin” gradually transformed into “haft sin”. And only after that both “Haft Sin” and “Haft Shin” became obligatory.

Others believe that at first there was a “haft chin”, i.e. seven types of collection (from the verb "chidan" - to collect) from trees, which eventually changed into "haft sin".

There is also a widespread theory among scientists that during the reign of the Sassanids (III-VII centuries), painted large plates began to be brought from China, which they began to call “chini” (Chinese - China in Persian “Chin”) and on which fruits and sweets were laid out for Navruz and other dishes - a total of seven items - and put these trays on the festive tables. That is, scientists do not exclude the version that today's "haft sin" was formed from the phrase "haft chini" (seven Chinese).

Photo: © Mohammadali Fakheri, Flickr.com

Anti-Navruz

Today, few people do not know, but there was also a certain “counterweight” to Navruz. According to the ancient calendar, the year was divided into two seasons, one of which, summer, opened Navruz, which lasted seven months, and the second, winter, which lasted five months, opened with the Mehrgan holiday - on the first day of the month mehr (which means love, friendship) solar calendar corresponding to September 23rd. This day also falls on the equinox, after which the night begins to become longer.

Mehrgan holiday was the second most important after Navruz and was celebrated for six days. Ferdowsi in Shahnameh writes that the origin of this holiday is associated with the victory of the blacksmith Kaveh over the tyrant Zahhak, who, after long efforts, with the support of the whole people, was chained, and then chosen as the king of Faridun.

Where do they celebrate?

Navruz announced public holiday in Azerbaijan, Albania, Afghanistan, Georgia, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, the Mongolian province of Bayan-Ogli, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, as well as in such Russian regions as Bashkortostan and Tatarstan. During the celebration period, citizens rest from three to seven days, depending on the country.

In addition, it is celebrated in India, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Pakistan, Turkey and parts of Dagestan and Chechnya in Russia.

Khurshed Khalilbekov

And the books of A. Novykh. The program “Consciousness and Personality” and articles from the series “Interesting places. We have a lot to learn from the ancients” made it possible to take a fresh look at the most beloved holiday since childhood, Easter, to understand its spiritual essence.

“For example, in the countries of Central Asia, where Islam is traditionally practiced, a holiday is celebrated - Navruz Bayram, that is, the New Year. This is one of the oldest holidays. It is celebrated on the night before the spring equinox. And it is interesting that this holiday is celebrated annually in honor of the celebration of the resurrection from the ground of the Good Spirit, which brings light, and the defeat of the Evil Spirit. Almost like a modern Easter (from the program "Consciousness and Personality")

And upon further acquaintance with the traditions of the Navruz holiday, I was simply surprised how many echoes of spiritual knowledge were preserved in them.

When is it celebrated? According to the Gregorian calendar, Nauryz was celebrated on March 9, and according to the new one, it falls from March 21 to March 22, less often on March 23. There is a belief that from 3 am on March 22 bypasses the Kyzyr-Ata steppe - the bearer of Good. It was believed that he appears in the form of an aksakal and bestows happiness, prosperity, well-being on anyone who sees him. He plants trees, under his gaze the earth becomes fertile, and stones can melt, turning into life-giving moisture. Even Kok tas (mountain stone in Samarkand) is melting. This night is called "kyzyr tuni" ("night of happiness"). It is also “The day of the arrival of good on earth”, “the day of the arrival of rooks”, “the beginning of the year”, “the day when green happiness (i.e. grass) opens its eyes”, “the day of the descent to the Earth of the Year”, “the day when stone Mother Earth's breasts soften and give milk. On the night of the arrival of Kyzyr-Ata, in order for abundant rains and a high harvest, the Kazakhs filled all the available dishes with wheat, millet, barley, oats, milk, spring water, believing that if it was plentiful in the house on New Year's Eve, so it would be. until next year.

Easter is considered the day of the magnetic equinox and is specially calculated astronomically.

"Darysyn" - translated from Kyrgyz "to take medicine." Then it turns out that the women sprinkled the earth with milk, saying “Person, take your medicine!”. Milk may mean the creative energy of the feminine Allat.

The celebration of Nauryz begins with the ancient ritual “Bulak korsen kozin ash” (“If you see a spring, clear its source”). Meeting the dawn, men and youth, taking the hands of ketmen, shovels, gathered in a designated place, near a spring, ditch or any other water intake and planted trees, then repaired the dwelling.

Both old and young held out their open palms to the sun, then reverently stroked their faces. Hence this gesture among the Kazakhs when they say "Bismillah!"

On the day of Nauryz, they cooked Nauryz-kozhe (milk soup) - the main ritual dish from the head of a ram, smoked meat and colostrum (uyzdan). In the old days, women competed in whose Nauryz skin would be tastier. This is also a kind of competition, because there is a belief that if you taste Nauryz kozhe in seven houses, then the year will be lucky for you. Therefore, every wealthy family tried to take out their cauldron from Nauryz kozhe. The best hostess was awarded with heartfelt wishes and good fame. And this was the most valued in the old days.

According to the ancient belief of the Iranians, all family members at the time of the arrival of the new year, when the sun enters the constellation Aries, should all gather together at home, at the table "Haft sin" alphabet - 12, day of the week - Thursday, color - blue, this is the last letter in the Qur'an. The relation of the Universe to its structure /, that is, a table with seven objects whose names begin with the letter "sin", that is, "s". On white the tablecloths of the “Haft sin” table place seven types of plant foods, which symbolically and carry a good sign of the abundance of vegetation and agricultural products, including “sib” (apple), “sabze” (sprouted sprouts of wheat or other cereal crops), "sanjed" (loh), "somag" (sumac), "sir" (garlic), "serke" (vinegar), "samanu" (a kind of food made from malt), etc. In addition, the decoration of the table "Haft sin" is a mirror, candles, dishes with pollock, dishes with water with oranges placed in it, colored eggs ah, alive gold fish in a vessel with clean water, bread, herbs, rose water, flowers (hyacinths), coins and a religious book (Muslims have the Koran, and Zoroastrians have the Avesta). This table in many houses is kept covered until the thirteenth day of Navruz.

“It is interesting that one of the main attributes of the table are candles, a mirror and colored eggs. All of them have symbolic meaning, and this meaning is related to the spiritual interpretation of these symbols. For example, a candle is the inner fire of a person, his life force, and an egg symbolizes the birth of a person’s spiritual life. And now the Navruz holiday was celebrated back in the heyday of the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism, which preceded both Christianity and Islam. - (from the program "Consciousness and Personality")

Then it's time to prepare the festive dishes. Sweets in the East have always been held in high esteem. Each housewife will certainly prepare shekerbura (represents the Moon and is a sweet pie stuffed with nuts, sugar and cardamom), gogal (a puff bun with salty filling, personifying the Sun) and badambura (a very beautiful and intricately shaped nut pie). Baklava needs no introduction, as it has long gained popularity in Ukraine. But what it symbolizes, you most likely do not know. It turns out that baklava is the stars in the sky, and its 9-12 layers are the layers of the atmosphere. Not so simple is this puff pastry confection in syrup ...

On this day, many charitable deeds are carried out by the possessors. A luxurious yurt is placed in the center of the square. From it, seven well-dressed women carry out and place empty dishes around the house. The larger, more varied and richer the dishes, the better. This rite represents the well-being, taste and skill of the owner of the house. Then the woman with a benevolent smile treats kind people, filling all the bowls with ayran-kefir and pouring it into all the prepared dishes. And every sufferer can come and drink.

Elderly women in snow-white kimesheks scatter “shasha”: this rite can be compared with a mythological cornucopia from which sweets and treats pour into the crowd. All women on this day dye their hair with henna, do manicures. If there is mourning in any family, then relatives, relatives or neighbors invite women for a festive bath in the bath, make women manicure and dye their hair. This custom should mean that the family has washed away the mourning and misfortune that has befallen it in the past year, and already has the right to celebrate the New Year and have fun on an equal basis with everyone.

One of the rituals of Navruz that have come down to us, associated with farming and cattle breeding, is the tying of red cloth on the horns of a bull, a dairy cow, and rams allocated for a wedding. On Novruz, you cannot slaughter a horse, kill dogs, even snakes.

There are many holiday rituals aimed at unity and purity.

When the New Year entered the house on the “night of happiness”, the Kazakhs lit two candles in a place of honor, saying: "One torch will not become light" , "If the New Year enters the purest home, that home will be free from sickness and evil." Therefore, on the eve of the holiday, the Kazakhs brought perfect cleanliness and order in the house.

On this holiday, neither the king nor the slaves became, on this day the khan put a slave on his throne. This is the day of equality for all: men and women, children and the elderly, rich and poor, it is a celebration of respect for the elder, love for the younger.

At the same time, there is an unwritten custom - on days spring holiday give people a festive "share" (Novruz payi). Festive delicacies, syamyans, candles, khoncha are placed in a tray and sent to neighbors and friends. This tray is not supposed to be returned empty, because in this case, according to folk belief, the house will lose prosperity. Therefore, those who received khoncha return the dishes, but with other festive treats, in accordance with their taste and capabilities. It is important that new Year gifts it is desirable to offer not only to Azerbaijanis, but also to representatives of other nations and religions, so that they can share the joy of the Navruz holiday.

On Navruz, snowdrops, lilies of the valley, violets are harvested, wreaths of wildflowers are made, flowers are woven into hair, and holodyanka (wild mint) is harvested. At the same time, it is forbidden to bring daffodils into the house.

According to the existing tradition, on this day, wise elders - aksakals give the society a word - a blessing ("bata"). This good wishes ends with the ancient words: “Let the people be prosperous! May there be plenty of milk! May this day bring abundance! Let all evil and all black deeds fall through the ground! May the spirits of the ancestors always support us!”

The celebration of the New Year ends in the afternoon on the 13th day of Navruz. Everyone should leave the house or leave the city or the outskirts of the village and spend the whole day in the bosom of nature and thereby be freed from the hardships of the number "13", which the Azerbaijanis consider "unlucky". People seem to be trying to leave in the field all sorts of hardships that can happen in a year, and in the evening they return home. The last, 13th day of the New Year, ends with ancient games - camel and horse races, various youth and children's games, competitions in which women and girls participate on an equal basis with men.

Thanks to the unique knowledge from the books of A. Novykh, from the programs with Igor Mikhailovich, today we have the opportunity to realize what spiritual significance the traditions of different peoples of the world carried, to reconstruct the spiritual side of society, and most importantly, this is the opportunity to find ourselves real.

Sources:

program "Consciousness and Personality"
book by A. Novykh "Birds and stone"
"Navruz is a holiday of the arrival of good on Earth."
._nam_est_chemu_pouchitsya_u_drevnih._svyatye_holmy__chast_i
._nam_est_chemu_pouchitsya_u_drevnih._svyatye_holmy._chast_iii._huzhalar-tavy
https://allatravesti.com/katary__nositeli_istinnogo_ucheniya_iisusa
A.L. Chizhevsky "Earth echo of solar storms"
https://www.trend.az/azerbaijan/society/2254700.html http://sayanskaya.com/%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0- %D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%87%D0%BD%D1%8B%D1%85-%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%B9-%D0%BF %D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B6%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5/

Prepared by: Lana

Nowruz Bayram. History and traditions of the holiday. Muslims, congratulations!

Nowruz in Persian means "new day". This is the holiday of the new year according to the astronomical solar calendar among the Iranian and Turkic peoples.

TRAVELING MUCH, I SAW THIS HOLIDAY IN UZBEKS, TAJIKS, TATARS.

SO BEAUTIFUL! DOES NOT REMINDER ANYTHING???

It is believed that this holiday is more than three thousand years old. It officially became international only in 2009, when UNESCO included it in the list of the intangible cultural heritage of mankind.

Navruz is the oldest agricultural holiday, its origin is associated with the emergence of the agricultural calendar.

The origin of this holiday is rooted in the pre-literate era of human history. It acquired official status in the Achaemenid Empire as a religious holiday of Zoroastrianism. It continues to be celebrated everywhere after the Islamic conquests, up to the present.

Many consider Nowruz an Islamic holiday, but it should be noted that in the Middle East, Navruz is celebrated only by representatives of those peoples who lived there before the arrival of the Arabs, the spread of Islam and the emergence of the Arab Caliphate.

Nowruz, for example, is not celebrated by Arabs in Iraq. In Turkey, from 1925 to 1991, its official celebration was prohibited. In Syria, the celebration of Navruz is still prohibited.

As with Christians, many rituals are associated with paganism, so Navruz cannot be called a purely Muslim holiday. On this day, it is customary to meet spring, set the table and make wishes.

According to an ancient custom, before the onset of Navruz, people must carefully clean their houses and around, fully pay off their debts.

Round cakes made from wheat, barley, millet, corn, beans, peas, lentils, rice, sesame and beans were laid out on the festive table.

In Navruz, dishes are prepared from seven, mainly vegetable, products, the most famous holiday dish is sumalak - a dish of germinated wheat germ.

Allah says in the Qur'an in the Purification of the Faith (al-Ikhlas):

Say: "He is Allah, the One,

Allah is eternal.

He did not give birth and was not born,

and there is none equal to Him.”

IN last years with particular zeal, many Muslims of Central Asia, the Caucasus, and even Russia, celebrate the "Persian New Year" - Navruz, rooted in Zoroastrian beliefs. Thus, the holiday, which is contrary to the norms of Islam, as mentioned in many fatwas, has become strongly associated with the revival of national traditions among those who, apparently, understand rooted superstitions and pre-Islamic survivals as such.

A Muslim solemnly celebrating the onset of spring, and then performing prayer, looks at least ridiculous in the eyes of an educated person. It is not surprising that in such celebrations, as a rule, those who do not observe the pillars of Islam, or even do not know about their existence, participate.

However, adherents of other confessions sometimes look at these amusements through the prism of the “national color of the East”, giving the feasts a “Muslim” coloring. Even some figures on behalf of Islam do not hesitate to praise this "national tradition", confusing the illiterate or overly compliant to pressure. public opinion of people.

Meanwhile, inspired by the desire to “join the roots”, the youth celebrates the renewal of nature with joy, jumping over seven fires, splashing each other with water, eating “ritual food”, making wishes. Perhaps she is unaware that there are other joys of life that accompany truly Muslim holidays.

With enviable solidarity, Azerbaijanis, Uzbeks, Tajiks and others again go to celebrate Navruz, while Ramadan remains for many of them a difficult duty, difficult to fulfill "in modern conditions."

At the heart of worship on this day - March 20-21-22 is the election of Zarathustra (Zoroaster) as a god, the struggle of a certain Tahmuraz like the Ramayana with the divas, the liberation of some Jamshid, on whom the rays of the sun fell.

In the evening, starting from Derbent and all the way to Iran and India, fire worshipers light ritual bonfires and worship Satan in the form of fire. Bonfires can also be seen on some streets of Makhachkala, where people from South Dagestan celebrate their national holiday.” Azerbaijanis and Persians gather in the Shiite mosque and “celebrate” Navruz in their circle.

Before the celebration of Navruz itself, Azerbaijanis usually celebrate a number of previous days, which are, as it were, preparations for large celebrations on the occasion of the end of the old and the onset of the new year. In the last week of the year, each family must light as many torches on the roof of their house as the number of people living in this family, bonfires are kindled. Everyone, young and old, must jump over a burning fire, while saying the following words: "All my hardships are for you, and your joy is for me." (Literally: "My yellowness to you, your crimson to me"). In this case, in no case should you fill the fire with water. After the fire goes out, the girls and boys collect the ashes and pour them out on the outskirts of the village or on the road.

The Lezgins call this "holiday" "Yaran Suvar". Ritual dishes, sweets are prepared, gifts are given. It is believed that on the day of the spring equinox comes " New Year».

In the morning, children and youth walk around, collecting sweets and sweets, adults go from house to house, arranging feasts. Someone, dressed in sheep's clothing, depicts the "Scythe". Drunken companies “sit” here and there, although according to popular belief, it is forbidden to drink and swear on this “holy day” (in the rest, apparently, you can).

Yaran Suvar (New Year) is named, according to ethnographers, after the ancient Lezgi spring god named "Yar". There was a belief that if appropriate measures were not taken, it could happen that “yar of poison” (i.e. “yar will hit, kill”). To avoid this, people tied red woolen threads hands, necks of children and pets. Be sure to put on something new in the "new year" or at least sew a new patch on old clothes. On kims (godekans), chanta (bags) were turned inside out, gifts were exchanged, and the collected decorated chicken eggs were spun: whoever spun the egg longer, he won.

In Akhty, there was a custom of “stealing fire”. For the owner of the house, it was considered a shame to "lose the fire", and for the "thief" - evidence of his courage and skill. Therefore, everyone took care of protecting the fires until they were completely extinguished, and if it happened that they caught the “thief” who stole the fire, then this usually ended in serious brawls and fights, sometimes turning into enmity between the youth of different mahals and tukhums. On the night of March 22, gunfire was heard in all parts of the village, huge boulders were blown up with the help of gunpowder in the channel of Akhty-chai, and some villagers, climbing the nearby mountain slopes, set fire to huge wheels and let "spinning lights" down towards the village. With the help of set fire to farfalags (spinning wooden propellers launched into the sky), young people staged a kind of salute. All these fiery exercises, combined with thunder explosions and rifle shots, created an extraordinary picture of shaitan fun.

On Navruz, to the delight of Shaitan, it is customary to conjure, engage in fortune-telling and indulge in superstitions.

Before dark on the day of “akhyr chershenbe”, girls and boys usually come to the doors of their neighbors and “eavesdrop” on their conversation, and then, based on the first words they hear, draw conclusions about the fulfillment of their wishes that they made. In the evening, if there is a sick person in the family, they take any dishes with a spoon and knock them on the dishes at the neighbors' doors. A neighbor, having heard the sounds, is obliged to give the knocker some kind of treat or money. If food was served, then it is then given to the patient, but if money was served, then they buy food and prepare food for the patient. It is believed that she should contribute to his healing. The fulfillment of this custom on the last Tuesday of the old year does not depend on the material condition of the patient's family and is symbolic.

On the same evening, many, for example, in South Azerbaijan, pour clean water into a jug, and each member of the family throws some object into the jug of water, after which the jug is put out from the side of the qibla, i.e. Mecca. On the morning of the next day, all family members gather, and, as a rule, opening the book of Hafiz (a collection of poems by the famous Persian poet, a native of Shiraz), they pull out one object from the jug and, accordingly, begin to guess with the help of Hafiz's gazelles (similar to divination from the Koran among the Sufis of Dagestan and the Shiites). If their content is good and corresponds to the dream or desire of the person who lowered this object into the jug, then his dream or desire will come true in the new year.

The celebration of the New Year ends on the afternoon of the 13th day of Novruz. Everyone should leave the house or leave the city or the outskirts of the village and spend the whole day in the bosom of nature and thereby free themselves from the hardships of the number "13", which is considered "unlucky". People seem to be trying to leave in the field all sorts of hardships that can happen in a year, and in the evening they return home.

Before Navruz, every Tuesday evening, “days of the elements” are celebrated: the day of water, fire, air, earth, in accordance with the teachings of the Avesta about the types of the origin of life.

Each of the upcoming four weeks - or rather, four Wednesdays - is dedicated to one of the four elements and is named accordingly, although the names sometimes differ depending on the region. The four Wednesdays preceding the holiday are called Su Chershenbe (Wednesday on the water), Odlu Chershenbe (Wednesday on the fire), Torpag Chershenbe (Wednesday on the ground) and Akhir Chershenbe (the last Wednesday).

The most important among these Wednesdays is considered the last - akhyr chershenbe akhshamy (the last Tuesday of the last week of the year), when the main events unfold. This day is full of various ritual actions and aims to ensure the well-being of oneself, one's family and in the coming new year, to get rid of all troubles and avert troubles and other hardships from oneself and the family. All this is in the hands of Allah, and not fire and stupid superstitious rites, with which Satan deceived, forcing him to worship himself.

Akhir chershenbe akhshamy (the last Tuesday of the last week of the year) was celebrated with special solemnity. According to legend, if it coincided with the day of Novruz, the year was expected to be especially successful.

Fire worshipers betray their prayers to the flame of the sacred fire. Pagans pray that the fire will protect them from enemies and spirits. Fire is in their eyes the personification of life. “Let your fire go out” was the strongest curse in these places.

In general, paganism (shirk) in all manifestations, which originates from antiquity. The inhabitants of Mesopotamia, according to the testimony of the ancient Greek chronicler Strabo, gathered for Navruz in the "Temple of Fire". This explains the widespread custom today to kindle bonfires in the streets on the days of the celebration of Navruz.

With the advent of Islam, this holiday of Shaitan was canceled.

Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) once made a gift on the occasion of Novruz day. He asked, "What is this?"

They answered him: "O Amir-ul-Mu'minin, this is the day of Novruz."

He said: “Then make every day Fairuz (instead of Novruz)!”

(Reported in the book of al-Bayhagi as-Sunan al-Kubra, 9/532). Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said about this: “Ali did not even want to use the name that they gave to their holiday. So what about doing what they do during their holidays?”

(Iqtida as-Syrat al-Mustagim, 1/954)

This “holiday” completely contradicts the foundations of Monotheism (Tawheed) and the one who celebrates it, prepares for it or in any way participates in this disgusting action of the times of Jahiliyyah - he commits a great sin, giving Allah a partner.

Some interpret this as a "holiday" of "spring and labor" (other peoples of Dagestan have a holiday of plowing or the first furrow). The onset of spring is celebrated as the birth (revival) of life. All these are remnants of the pagan past.

The British scientist M. Boyce notes that in addition to all this, in Zoroastrianism this holiday was dedicated directly to fire, which the ancient Zoroastrians considered a life force and worshiped it. Zoroaster dated this holiday to spring equinox, using, apparently, the ancient celebration of the onset of spring, which he dedicated to fire. According to Zoroastrian customs, at noon of the New Day, the return from under the earth of the noon spirit Rapitvin, bringing warmth and light, was welcomed. After that, the spirit of Rapitvin is worshiped daily at the midday time allotted to him, which is now called "Rapitva" and called in prayers to Asha-Vakhishta throughout the summer.

On the day before Navruz, it is customary to go to the cemetery, commemorating their dead and distributing sweets and laying flowers on the graves, because, according to Zoroastrianism, the spirit of the dead - Forohar, who ascended to heaven, returns to earth on the Navruz holiday and remains among relatives for several days and even examines his body. Such ideas are also very common among the Hindus and completely contradict the Islamic dogma, according to which the souls of the dead are in the grave until the Day of Judgment.

A special place in these festive rituals is occupied by the preparation of the so-called "ritual food". It is a symbol of the fertility of nature and man. The magical seven objects and products on the tray become a symbolic gift to Satan in the form of the sun.

In all houses, a festive table was laid - they cooked pilaf, baked sweets and prepared all kinds of delicacies. On the festive table, there must have been a festive khoncha (tray). Semeni (sprouted wheat) was usually placed in the middle of the tray, as well as a candle for each family member, colored eggs, and there must have been seven types of food on the table. On this day, everyone was supposed to be at home.

Fire worshipers pay much attention to the preparation holiday table. There were supposed to be seven types of dishes on the table on the table, the names of which begin with the letter “s”. on the table there should be sumakh, sud - milk, sirke - vinegar, semen, sabzi - greens, etc. In addition to the listed dishes, a mirror and candles are placed on the table, a painted egg is placed above the mirror. Everything has a symbolic meaning: a candle is a light or fire that protects a person from evil spirits; a mirror is a symbol of clarity.

According to tradition, on the first day of the holiday, all household members were supposed to be at home. People say: “If you are not at home on a holiday, you will wander for seven years.” As a rule, during the holidays, outdoor entrance doors didn't lock up. On the first day of the New Year, every family should have a light on all night. This is a sign of well-being, in no case can you put out the fire: an extinguished fire is a sign of misfortune.

Everyone complains about the high cost of food, that it is difficult to feed, but they do not skimp on treating Shaitan, spending the last and even getting into debt. For shaitan, there should be “traditional” dishes on the table, a mixture of dried fruits, walnuts and hazelnuts, as well as sweets. It is not customary to drink alcohol, but many please the shaitan by “violating” the customs of their fire-worshipping ancestors.

Thus, the horned shaitan in the form of the sun, "accepting" these gifts, is allegedly able to take care of a rich harvest, becoming another ruler of the universe, which clearly contradicts the very idea of ​​Monotheism.

“They are like Satan, who says to a person: “Do not believe!” When he becomes an unbeliever, he says: “I have no part in you! I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds." (Quran, 59/16)

Navruz (Yaran Suvar) are religious festivals of fire-worshippers (Khurramites) - vile pagans who did not bury their dead and left them like carrion to be eaten by vultures.

A normal person will not follow the religious rites of those who leave their dead to rot in stone sarcophagi or burn them, as do other idolaters - dirty Hindus, as well as practice incest and mass orgies, which, according to some scholars, was the custom among fire worshipers in pre-Islamic period and was also considered part of their rites.

Navruz is a pagan religious holiday and is haram (forbidden) for Muslims.

Judging by the following saying of the Prophet Muhammad - “Allah will curse anyone who supports those who introduce innovations into religion” (given by Muslim), it can be concluded that from the point of view of Islamic dogma, the introduction of rituals and holidays of non-Islamic origin into religion is not allowed, although such attempts, on the example of Novruz, have been and are being noted in history.

Narrated by Anas: “When the Prophet sallallahi alayhi wa sallam came to Medina, the people celebrated two holidays there. These days were days of fun and joy. The Prophet asked: “And what are these days (what is their essence)?”

They answered him: “During the days of jahiliyyah (paganism), we had fun in these days. The Prophet sallallahi alayhi wa sallam replied: “Allah has replaced those two holidays for you with two more useful holiday- this is Kurban and Uraza. (quoted by Abu Dawud).

Anyone who calls himself a Muslim and celebrates the holiday of the pagans - fire worshipers, and then performs prayer, violates the principle of worshiping Allah alone. Satan was created from fire and instructs to worship that from which he was created. The celebrant worships the shaitan, whether he is called Mithra, even Ahuramazda (Ormuzd) or Yar. It is not surprising that in such celebrations, as a rule, those who do not know Islam and do not adhere to the pillars of Islam, but who are only "ethnic Muslims", participate. And, of course, he does not know the basics of Tawhid. Allah is pure from every partner.

"He is Allah, and there is no god but Him, the Knower of the unseen and the manifest." (Quran, 59/22)

Whoever worships fire will be rewarded Eternal flame in hell:

“Do not be like those who have forgotten Allah and whom He has caused to forget themselves. They are wicked.

The end of both will be falling into the Fire, in which they will abide forever. Such is the recompense of the wicked!” (Quran, Sura "Gathering", verses 19 and 17)