It is at least 3000 years the Iranian people celebrate the first day of spring –when the Sun enters the point of Vernal Equinox-- as the beginning of the Persian New Year. The Norūz (lit. New Time) is one of the oldest national festivals of Iran surviving to the present day. It has played a significant role in helping preserve the continuity of the Persian culture.
In spite of Iran's eventful history from 1000 BC to the present day, there is reason to believe that the celebration of Norūz has not experienced any significant changes since the ancient times. It is thus a means of maintaining cultural concord among the people of Iranian plateau and the entire Persian-speaking world. Today, Norūz is celebrated in the same way in numerous parts of the globe. It is also revered by Iranians as a symbol of their national identity and cultural heritage.
The legend says King Jamshīd celebrated the rushing fires of spring after the last glacial period was over. An account of this age is given in the Avesta:
"There were ten months of winter there, and two months of summer, and these were cold for the waters, cold for the earth, cold for the trees."
The ancient people thought it was the best day of the year because it was a day of renewal for the Nature.
Persian mathematician, astronomer and poet Omar Khayyām in his Norūz Nāmah (The book of Norūz) writes that King Jamshīd celebrated Norūz because of the Sun's entry into the point of the Vernal Equinox.
In 534 BC, Cyrus the Great made Norūz an official festival. The military officers would receive promotions on Norūz, the convicts would receive amnesty and the natural environment would be purified of pollutions.
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