It’s that time of year again. Iranians and non-Iranians all over the world have started the arduous task of cleaning: cleaning their rooms, cars, cabinets, and basically anything else that is not tied down or bolted. Norouz, the Iranian New Year (March 21), has spread throughout the world by migrating Iranians and by the influence of Iranian culture on other civilizations. Norouz has been around for more than 3000 years and is closely entwined in the traditions and rituals of the Zoroastrian religion. This festival is now practiced in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, and Iran. It is also practiced in parts of Iraq as well as in parts of India.

The term Norouz first appeared in the second century CE. Although there is no mention of the holiday during the Achaemenid period, it is suggested that Perspolis or at least the palace of Apadana and the “Hundred Columns Wall” were built for Norouz celebrations. Norouz became mainstream during the Parthian Dynasty of Iran and later, to a greater extent, during the Sassanid Dynasty. Most royal traditions of Norouz such as royal audiences with the public, cash gifts, and the pardoning of prisoners, were established during the Sassanian era and persisted unchanged until modern times. Norouz continued to survive under Islamic rule. There are records of the Four Great Caliphs presiding over Norouz celebrations. It was adopted as the main royal holiday during the Abbasid period. However, the caliphate restricted some of the Sassanid traditions. With the decay of the Abbasid Caliphate and the rise of the Iranian Samanid and the Buyid dynasties, Norouz was elevated to an even more important level, and the once restricted Sassanid traditions were brought back to life. Norouz was accepted by the Mongols and Turkic tribes, who later set up their own dynasties in Iran. The traditional herald of the Norouz season is known as Haji Pirooz, or Hadji Firuz. It is suggested that he symbolizes the rebirth of the Sumerian god of sacrifice, Domuzi, who was killed at the end of each year and reborn at the beginning of the New Year. Wearing black make up and a red costume, Haji Pirooz sings and dances through the streets with tambourines and trumpets spreading good cheer and the news of the coming New Year