Zoroastrians greet the New Year
One of the world’s oldest religions celebrates spring
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“The broader symbolism of Nowruz represents renewal, rejuvenation, and a new beginning. The world has just endured a historic and deadly pandemic, and we pay respect and honor the lives lost by responsibly turning the page to better and brighter days ahead.”
FEZANA President Arzan Sam
Wadia
Rocker Freddy Mercury of Queen is probably still the most famous Zoroastrian for most Americans. But the ancient religion still has followers nationwide and a New York temple in Pomona.
Saturday marks the major Zoroastrian holiday of Nowruz, translated from the Farsi as “New Day.” It falls on the vernal equinox, the first day of spring, and is celebrated as the Persian New Year. For Zoroastrians, the holiday celebrates kinship (friends can be kin), the beauty of spring, fresh starts and clean slates.
The Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America invites Zoroastrians across the continent to join communities online for a New Year’s countdown starting at 5 a.m.
Before the pandemic lockdown, Zoroastrian communities normally have parades, tree plantings and parties on Nowruz. But until America has reached that critical mass of vaccinations, most celebrations will be virtual or in private homes.
The religion was founded in the 6th century by the prophet Zarathustra, whose teachings centered on how light can overcome the darkness of bigotry and ignorance. (Yes, the same prophet who inspired a landmark book, “Thus Spoke Zarathustra,” by philosopher Frederich Nietzsche and a wildly popular musical tone poem by composer Richard Strauss that most people know from the soundtrack of “2001, A Space Odyssey”).
Zoroastrians believe in one God and that worship involves protecting the Earth, water and air. Their code of ethics has famously been summarized as: “Good Words, Good Thoughts and Good Deeds.”
The love of nature interwoven
into Zoroastrian belief prompts many families to celebrate Nowruz with a picnic feast. FEZANA reminded believers to socially distance and mask up whether they party outside or indoors.
“The broader symbolism of Nowruz represents renewal, rejuvenation, and a new beginning,” said FEZANA President Arzan Sam Wadia. “The world has just endured a historic and deadly pandemic, and we pay respect and honor the lives lost by responsibly turning the page to better and brighter days ahead.”
Iranians play backgammon at a park in northern Tehran in 2015 as they celebrate Nowruz. People like to mark it outdoors with a picnic with family and friends. Nowruz is the new year according to Zoroastrian tradition, still celebrated by Iranians even after Islam became the religion for most of the nation. The Zoroastrian holiday coincides with the first day of spring and honors natural beauty.