Happy Norooz!

Happy Norooz! Today is Persian New Year or the true start of the year for mother earth! It is the very moment that the vernal equinox happens and spring starts in the northern hemisphere. Norooz is an ancient persian holiday and it has been unchanged by all the people that have invaded Persia over the years. This is a tradition and holiday deeply routed in the persian culture. It is also the oldest persian tradition and institution and it's observed by almost all iranians regardless of their religion or ethnicity. Although this doesn't happen in places like the US, in iran, Norooz is followed by 13 days of holidays and celebrations. During this time people visit each other, younger people have to pay respect to elders by going to their homes, older people give younger people presents, and usually only kids get presents, only until they are 18 though! Families need to be together at the very moment of the vernal equinox, no matter what time of day or night it is. Legend has it that whatever one is doing at the very moment of the vernal equinox, he or she will be doing for the rest of the year! You need to be seated with your family holding hands when the countdown happens then you kiss each other and wish each other a happy new year

and then gifts are given! This year the vernal equinox will happen at approximately 10:14 in the eving on march 19th, which was only a couple minutes ago!! Good night and Happy New Year to all!