Happy Noe Roozنوروزتان پیروز
Whereas the Romans associated the beginning of spring with the god of war Mars, and the right time of the year for the expansion of their empire, most other cultures celebrated the spring as a renewal of life on earth.
The vernal equinox – beginning of the zodiac sign Aries – has been celebrated in Iran for many thousands of years before the arrival of the Arian tribes including the Persians 30 centuries ago.
It has all the characteristics of feasts that relate to farming and the cultivation of land which must have been unknown to constantly moving tribes on a diet of meat and dairy food (if they had herds like today’s tribes).
Despite the fact that after the occupation of Persia by Arab Moslems the Arabic moon calendar continued to be used until early 20th century, the Iranians never gave up their celebration for Eid Noe Rooz ( Eid = feast / noe = new / rooz = day ).
Noe Rooz is the beginning of the Iranian year (sun calendar). The celebration takes 12 days during which relatives and friends visit each other.
For the first few days the oldest of relatives stay at home as the younger families are expected to visit the oldest first. Later the older ones are expected to visit the younger members. This means that if someone visits you during the Eid Noe Rooz you owe them a visit in turn.
On the 13th day of Noe Rooz (2nd April) people go picnicking. At the end of this day they throw the sprouts - which they have grown for some weeks - to the nature.
Today’s Iranians are not necessarily conscious of the reason for this custom anymore. It is really an ancient way of making an offering to the nature in the hope to have a good year regarding harvest and fertility.
The display of painted eggs alongside Haftcins (7 ‘S’s) shows the connection with the pre Christian Europe and the spring celebration there, which was later to be adopted by the Christians as Eastern. Likewise there cannot be any connection between Jesus Christ and rabbits either.
Considering the fact that initially the Islamic Republic tried to ignore - if not suppress – Eid Noe Rooz in favour of Eid Fetr and failed as expected by those with common sense, showed yet again that Noe Rooz throughout the Iranian history has become a major symbol of the Iranian identity.
The delightful contradiction of the Iranian nations is no where else so visible as in the fact that for a people who has accepted – or tolerates – an Islamic government the most important celebration of the year is in fact a pagan new year.
So Israelis shouldn’t be scared of Iranians.
Can’t you see that deep down there is something very humorous and unserious about Iranians?
Back to Mars, the fact is that in the last 100 years no country has started a war and ended up to be the winner. I cannot name one, can you?
So using Mars and the time of Aries in the hope to win a war - like USA did in 2003 -won’t change anything.
The fact is Mars is not into wars anymore and has left it all to the human demons.
And hear a relaxed Mars say:
Paint some eggs and chase rabbits if you must, but waging wars and winning? No way.
So visit relatives and refresh you friendships.
Hmm even Mars can’t be what he used to be.
Happy New Day