What does Nowruz mean? The meaning of the name “Nowruz” and its etymology

Nowruz is the largest Iranian Eid. This Eid is celebrated from Kabul to Tehran, Monday and Samarkand and is tied to Iran’s cultural and historical scope. But what does Nowruz mean?

To answer this question, one must return to one of the ancient traditions of Nowruz: the Seven Sean table. The Haft -Sin table is one of the main rituals of Nowruz that represents the symbols of the birth and renovation of nature. This long -standing tradition is the meaning of Nowruz, the “New Day” and the beginning of a new year.

History and Philosophy of Nowruz (a brief look)

Nowruz is the national celebration of Iranians and many co -celebrated nations held every year at the moment of spring moderation (often March 9). The celebration, which is rooted in ancient Zoroastrian rituals, is more than 5 years old and is celebrated as the beginning of the new solar year. On the first day of the spring, the length of the day and the night is equal and the nature wakes up from the hibernation; For this reason, Nowruz is seen as a celebration of nature and the victory of heat and light over the cold and darkness.

From a mythical and philosophical point of view, Nowruz symbol Resurrection And the resurrection is nature. Many Nowruz rituals (homework, wearing new clothes, green greening, etc.) emphasize the concept of renewal. In ancient beliefs, the return of spring meant the victory of the forces of good and light over the forces of evil and darkness. According to some researchers, the people of ancient Iran, who were naturalistic, saw the spring equinox as the manifestation of the annual victory of the living spirit of the sun and interpreted it as evangelism of the ultimate conquest of good over evil. Therefore, in the late Zoroastrian texts, it is even stated that at the end of the world the last victory of Nikki (Farshgerd) will take place on Nowruz and the world will be completed.

Babylonian, Jamshid or Kiomars; Who is the legacy of Nowruz?

Some narrations of the beginning of Nowruz to Ancient Babilian They attribute it and attribute its expansion to Iran to the Achaemenid Cyrus era (1 BC). In Iranian myths, from the two kings of Pishdadi Kiomars And especially Jamshid It is mentioned as the founder of Nowruz. The famous narrative of Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, based on ancient Pahlavi sources, is that Jamshid, after years of trying to develop the world, was on the first day of the spring of the Golden Crown and sat on their jewelry in Azerbaijan; The sun’s beam shone over his crown and brightened the world. People were happy and celebrated that day as a new day.

The world became a forum on the throne of the lucky
To Jamshid on the gem they were called the new day.

Thus, in Iranian myths, Jamshid Nowruz Set up as a new day and restarted life. Since then, this “day of the day” has been remembered. Later, with the advent of Zoroastrianism, national rituals such as Nowruz and Mehregan (Autumn Celebration) were also accepted within the framework of Zoroastrian religion and became religious (Nowruz in ancient Iran – Wikipedia, free encyclopedia). Of course, in the oldest religious texts of Avesta, there is no mention of Nowruz; Many know that Avesta is a religious book and that Nowruz was a national and popular celebration, not necessarily religious (Nowruz in ancient Iran – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

Etymology

Nowruz word (Nowruz) In Farsi composed of two “new” components means Fresh And ‘day’ means Day, day or illumination of the day Is. Composition of these two components literally. “New Day” Or “New day” It refers to the beginning of the year and the beginning of a new period. In other words, Nowruz is the first day of the new cycle of the year, where everything in nature begins again.

The word “new” in Persian from ancient Hindu -European root New (For example Sanskrit navaLatin NovusEnglish New) It is derived and is seen in Iranian languages ​​as “new”, “nucleus” and so on. The second component means “day” in Persian from ancient Iranian root Rutch or Ruth Mean Lighting/day It has come to the Avestan language as RAOCAH- (Rocchi) recorded and meaning Lighting (day) He gives. So the main concept of Nowruz at the root of the linguistic, New bright day Or New Day It has been. This naming illustrates its importance as the beginning of the year and the renewal of time.

Avestan and ancient Persian language

In the remnants of Avesta (the oldest religious text of ancient Iranians), no word is found exactly the equivalent of Nowruz. However, linguists return the root of the word Nowruz to ancient Iranian languages. According to research, hypothetical Avestan composition “Navaka- raocah-“ (Noka-Ruchheh) can be attributed to Nowruz, which means “Lighting/New Day” Is. The first component navaka- (Niki) means “new” and the second component RAOCAH- It means “the brightness of the day”. In later times, this combination became “nipple” or “nugget” in the middle. Specifically, in Middle Farsi (Sassanid Pahlavi) equivalent to Nowruz “Noghrez” (NOG RōZ) or “Nippuch” have been recorded. For example, in one of the Pahlavi texts, it is stated that after Jamshid’s remarkable work “The day was new (New Day) and named the day”Which shows that the term New Day was also used at the beginning of spring.

Modern and modern Iranian languages

The word Nowruz has also been present in subsequent historical periods and is sometimes used in different languages ​​in different languages. In the Achaemenid era, the celebration of the beginning of the year was probably known by another word. Some historical sources have pointed out that in the Achaemenid inscriptions or the conversation of that period, the term “Novasard” Or “Nosarji” Used to mean “New Year” It has been. The word “Noasard/Nassarji” is likely to have been another form of “New” + “Sard/Sarji” (year) in ancient Iranian dialects. For example, in Iranian language of Central Asia (such as Sogdi and Kharazmi) celebration of Nowruz “Nosarji” They have called the New Year. In ancient Armenia, the first month of the year was called “Navasard” (Navasard), which lends from this Iranian composition. Nu years It has been a new year and shows the extent of the influence of Nowruz culture.

In New Persian (Islamic period to this day), the word “Nowruz” remained the same and became widespread. The first Islamic Persian -speaking writers and poets have also mentioned Nowruz with the same name. As example, Aboureihan External In the book Works (The 5th Century) explicitly mentions the literal meaning of Nowruz: “Nowruz is the first day of April and therefore called the new day that the forehead is the New Year.” In this way, the exterior emphasizes that the reason for the naming of Nowruz is the new day at the beginning of the year. The word Nowruz even came to Arabic and in Arabic texts Nirouz (Force) is mentioned. In some ancient Arabic sources, plural it as No It is suggested that the celebration was also known to the Arab speakers.

In terms of pronunciation and spelling, Nowruz is also slightly varied. In different Iranian dialects today, pronunciations such as Noorruz (With short vowel) or Navigation/Nowruz It is common. In the Latin line, nowruz is also accepted by international organizations, though older forms such as Norooz, Navruz, Newroz are also seen. However, the fundamental meaning of the word has not changed and is used everywhere in the same sense “New Day and the beginning of the New Year.”

Application of “Nowruz” in ancient historical texts and literature

The name of Nowruz, with the same concept of “New Day”, is found in many historical and literary sources of Persian and other languages ​​in the region. As we have seen, in Jamshid’s Iranian myths, this name was given to the spring celebration. Ferdowsi In the Shahnameh, it is beautifully set up. After Ferdowsi, almost no great poet can be found to be welcomed by Nowruz and the spring of poetry. From the poets of Ghaznavi and Seljuk to Iraqi -style poets and again later, they have praised Nowruz with various interpretations, and they have been a symbol of freshness, freshness and hope. Sample Saadi Says: “Spring came to every hour of the river for Bastani / Happiness on the Power of the New Day” That reflects the poet’s understanding of the meaning of the new day (Nowruz) as a time of happiness and comfort. In Iranian culture, Nowruz is not just a word or a calendar day, but a deep concept of Renovation It contains and therefore has a strong presence in ancient literature to this day.

What does Aboureihan Bourni say about Nowruz?

The historical sources of the Islamic period also have detailed accounts of Nowruz, each referring to its name. Along with the astronomical explanation of the year’s delivery, Aboureihan Bourouni has also quoted mythical stories about Nowruz’s naming. He says of Iranian scholars that they called Nowruz “New Day”, which renovated Jamshid and celebrated that day. He also narrates that when Jamshid sat on the throne and the sun shone on him, people were amazed and celebrated that day and called Nowruz. Other historians such as Tabari, Masoudi, and others have also referred to this ancient tradition, and have usually regarded the appearance of the events of Mubarak on that day. In general, in historical writings wherever Nowruz is said, the authors have realized that its name implies novelty and renewal and explained this meaning.

Nowruz in Persepolis

Lion and cows in the bed, Famous Role Lion that slices the cow On the wall of Apadana’s staircase in the throne, which is often interpreted as a mythical symbol of Nowruz. In this interpretation, the lion symbolizes the sun (the heat of spring) and the cow symbolizes the earth or the sacred cow (winter cold), which equals the day and night in the spring equinox, and eventually the milk over the cow; Thus the victory of spring over winter and the beginning of the New Year is depicted. This is a reflection of the symbolic importance and importance of Nowruz in Iranian culture.

Nowruz and New Day!

“Nowruz” name at first glance simply meant New Day Or The new day But it simply carries a huge meaning in Iranian culture and neighboring cultures. This name has come out of thousands of years of history and myth, and every component (new + day) clearly recounts the philosophy of this celebration: renewing time, renewing nature, and restarting life. From the linguistic roots in Avesta and Pahlavi to its use in Persian poetry and prose, the essence of Nowruz has always remained constant. Nowruz is a celebration that every year Time Renews and calls the people in hope; And its clever naming as “New Day” is reminiscent of the fact that with the coming of spring and Nowruz, a new page is opened in the book of Life.

Sources and References: Encyclopedia of Iranica, British Encyclopedia, The works