After passing through an unusually cold and long winter, Iranians are gearing up to celebrate Nowruz, the country's traditional New Year holiday, on March 20, the first day of spring in the Iranian solar calendar.
Nowruz and the Nowruz celebrations, are ancient customs originating from thousands of years ago. Nowruz literally means "new day," and is associated with the renewing and rejuvenation of nature.
In ancient times, many different ceremonies were held during the Nowruz celebrations, and some continue to this day. An important activity in the lead-up to Nowruz which engages all family members is "Khane Tekani," the equivalent of spring cleaning.
Before Nowruz, on the night before the last Wednesday of the year, many people go out into the streets after the dark to mark "Chaharshanbe Suri," a celebration of the triumph of "light" over "darkness" which has become characterized with jumping over bonfires.
At Norwruz, people usually gather around the "Haft Seen" table—a table consisting of seven items starting with the initial 'S' along with a few other items, each symbolizing different concepts—and await the exact time of the arrival of the New Year.
After the arrival of spring, the elders present gifts to the younger ones. During the Nowruz holidays, people usually visit the houses of family and friends.
The 13th day of the new month, the last day of Nowruz, is "Sizdah Bedar," a ritual marked by going out into nature to avoid the bad luck associated with the number 13.
 Iranians woman buy sweets from a pastry shop in Tehran, Iran ahead of the arrival of the Persian new year, or Nowruz. (The Epoch Times)
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 A street vendor sells "Haft Sin" table decorations in Tehran ahead of the arrival of the Persian New Year, Nowruz. (The Epoch Times)
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 An Iranian woman buys sweets from a pastry shop in Tehran, Iran ahead of the arrival of the Persian new year, or Nowruz. (The Epoch Times)
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 "Haft Sin" table decorations on display in a shop in Tehran ahead of the arrival of the Persian New Year, Nowruz. (The Epoch Times)
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 Iranians shop for nuts and dried fruit in Tehran a few days before the Persian new year, or Nowruz. (The Epoch Times)
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 Iranians line up to buy nuts and dried fruit in Tehran a few days before the Persian new year, or Nowruz. (The Epoch Times)
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 Nuts and dried fruit on display in a shop in the northern city of Rasht a few days before the Persian new year, or Nowruz. (The Epoch Times)
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 "Haft Sin" table decorations on display in a shop in the northern city of Rasht ahead of the arrival of the Persian New Year, Nowruz. (The Epoch Times)
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 An Iranian girl shows the gold fish she just bought for the "Haft Sin" table from a street vendor ahead of the Persian New Year, or Nowruz. (The Epoch Times)
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 "Haft Sin" table decorations on display in a shop in Tehran ahead of the arrival of the Persian New Year, Nowruz. (The Epoch Times)
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