And Naw Ruz - all joy and bliss !

"Praised be Thou, O my God, that Thou hast ordained Naw Rúz as a festival unto those who have observed the fast for love of Thee and absatined from all that is abhorrent unto Thee." Bahá'u'lláh

Today, the 21st of March, is Naw Ruz (also spelt Nowrūz or in Persian نوروز, which means New Day) and is the New Year of Persians, celebrated and observed by Iranian and Afghan peoples and the related cultural continent and has spread in many other parts of the world, including parts of Central Asia, Caucasus, South Asia, Northwestern China, the Crimea and some groups in the Balkans. The day marks first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Persian Calendar, as well as the Baha'i Calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed. As well as being a Zoroastrian holiday and having significance amongst the Zoroastrian ancestors of modern Iranians, the same time is celebrated in parts of the South Asian sub-continent as the new year. The term Nowruz in writing, first appeared in Persian records in the 2nd century AD, but it was also an important day during the time of the Achaemenids (c. 648-330 BC), where kings from different nations under the Persian empire used to bring gifts to the Emperor, also called King of Kings (Shahanshah), of Persia on Nowruz.

The UN's General Assembly in 2010 recognized the International Day of Naw Ruz, describing it a spring festival of Persian origin which has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. During the meeting of The Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage of the United Nations, held between 28 September – 2 October 2009 in Abu Dhabi, Nowrūz was officially registered on the UNESCOList of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

There are so many traditions associated with celebration of Naw Ruz, including jumping over a fire, and a "Hafd Sin", or "Haftseen" or the seven 'S's is a traditional table setting including seven specific items, all starting with the seen (Sā) in the Persian alphabet. Originally called Haftchin (Haftĉin), the Haft Seen has evolved over time, but has kept its symbolism. Traditionally, families have the Haft Seen families as an expression of traditional, spiritual, and social value, for visitors during Naw Ruz visitations The Haft Seen items are:

1. Sabzeh - wheat, barley, mung bean or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolising rebirth

2. Samanu - sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolising affluence

3. Senjed - dried oleaster fruit - symbolising love

4. Sir - garlic - symbolising medicine

5. Sib - apples - symbolising beauty and health

6. Somāq - sumac fruit - symbolising (the color of) sunrise

7. Serkeh - vinegar - symbolising old-age and patience

Where ever you are this year, if you are Persian or you are a Baha'i, may you have a splendidly joyous and spirited Naw Ruz and your year be filled with all delights, prosperity and health!