Today is Sizdah-Bedar, also known as Nature Day. It is the thirteenth and final day of the annual Nowruz celebration. Nowruz marks the traditional beginning of the Iranian New Year and is celebrated by over 300 million people around the world.  Nowruz (meaning "new day" in Persian) occurs at the same time as the spring equinox, usually around March 21st.  

The celebration was created by the ancient Zoroastrians to mark not only the beginning of the calendar but the cycle of the perpetual renewal of life over death as well. The annual milestone is an occasion for celebration, and involves a series of ritual arrangements and acts. The ones I describe here are ways that some Persian families celebrate but, in a future post, I will write about some of the more traditional Zoroastarian elements surrounding this sacred time. 

For some families, the rites surrounding Nowruz take place over thirteen days although additional time can be spent in preparation. Sabzeh is almost always a primary element. Sabzeh (meaning "green") is a wheat, barley, lentil, or other sprout grown in a dish or pot.  During the thirteen days, the sabzeh is kept on the haft-seen table along with other items beginning with the letter 'S.' (Haft-seen comes from the Persian word for seven (haft) and the letter 'S' (seen). 

Here are some of the 'S' items families put on their haft-seen table:

• Sumac (crushed spice of berries): for the sunrise and the spice of life 

• Senjed (sweet dry fruit of the lotus tree): for love and affection 

• Serkeh (vinegar): for patience and age 

• Seeb (apples): for health and beauty 

• Sir (garlic): for good health 

• Samanu (wheat pudding): for fertility and the sweetness of life 

• Sabzeh (sprouted wheat grass): for rebirth and renewal of nature 

There are other symbolic items that can go on the haft-seen table, such as a mirror to symbolize reflection over the past year, an orange in a bowl of water to symbolize the Earth, a bowl of goldfish to symbolize new life, colored eggs for fertility, and coins for prosperity. It is also customary to include candles, a book of Hafez's poetry, and hyacinths or other spring flowers.

Sizdah Be-dar is the final day of celebration of Nowruz. On the thirteenth day of the New Year, many families disassemble their haft-seen table and leave the house to enjoy nature and picnic outdoors -- playing games, listening to music, singing or dancing. The joy of the day is supposed to ward off any evil that the unlucky number thirteen might bring along with it.

During the celebration, the sabzeh is taken and thrown into a stream, river, or anywhere water flows. Throwing away the sabzeh is meant to remove negativity or misfortune in the new year. Ancient Persians believed their woes and miseries were absorbed by the freshness of the sabzeh so it was good to cast the sprouts into running water and let them drift away. 

Here's hoping everyone has great fortune, health and prosperity in the new year. Happy Spring!