Nowruz, Mirror of Iranian Thought (4)

The United Nations General Assembly, issuing a resolution on February 23, 2010, ratified March 21 as the International Nowruz Day with the title of the culture of peace. Taking this measure, the United Nations recognized Nowruz as an international occasion. Moreover, since two years ago, the motto of “Nowruz, Legacy of Peace and Friendship” was chosen for Nowruz feast and, for 10 years, official ceremonies will be held every year during Nowruz.

The accompanying of the word peace with Nowruz on the international documents reminds us of an important point which can be considered as the message of Nowruz. This message implies that both in the old times, when there was not much technology and in the present era that the world people have come closer to each other, popular and common ceremonies can contribute to guaranteeing of peace and invitation to reconciliation.

Nowruz coincides with the vernal equinox. It is the end of the cold winter and start of a new season with new attire. Nowruz is neither a personal feast nor does it belong to a specific community, ethnicity, nationality or place. Nowruz transcends the boundaries of race, color of skin, language, etc. and belongs to all who glorify it. According to the Iranian thought, peace is essential for a dynamic, thriving and progressive life. The impact of Nowruz on global peace can be assessed from different aspects.

 Nowruz presents a practical model for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence among human beings. Many friends and relatives, who are at odds with each other, forget enmities and spitefulness and befriend once more.

National festivities have common elements which combine different ethnicities together. A cultural expert says, "In the Iranian culture, coming from night to day, from darkness to light, and from cold to warm is a principle. The feasts of winter are mainly based on thinking. These customs are held for convergence, looking to the past and future and deepening of the roots of life; because there is an element in the intangible heritage which is considered as a common human heritage."

Everybody may have mistakes and made wrong decisions. But should they keep being remorseful of the past without endeavoring to compensate? We might give up judging about others and strengthen our energy but in the end we often understand that we must give up judging about ourselves. We have to make peace and calm for ourselves. Here one of the prerequisites is to reconcile with oneself. This means to accept the past entirely and trying to make a better future.

Nowruz is an opportunity to revive and flourish like the nature. Taking the role model of the nature can be a new start. Ali Bolukbashi, writer and anthropologist, says, In Nowruz, human being first removes all unclean and unholy belongings of the material world which stem from darkness, decadence and oldness internally and externally. Then, as the time and year become new and the nature is regenerated, he is born again in a spiritual and sacred position. After that, he gets prepared with a fresh energy to assume social duties and obligations for another year and starts the New Year."

RM/MG