UNITY OF TRADITIONS AND SYMBOLS

The East is tricky indeed, and sometimes Eastern philosophies intermingle in the most wonderful ways. This takes the eye especially during celebrations of a unique historical and cultural tradition of the peoples of Azerbaijan, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, effectively the whole of Central Asia, India and China.

The two words in Persian, "now" and "ruz," mean the first the day of the New Year in a unique astronomical calendar. If we take the Muslim calendar, Hegira, as the basis, the New Year 1429, which started on 10 January, corresponds to the Gregorian year 2008. However, the holiday of the spring and vernal equinox, 21 March, is not a religious fete. As part of our ancient heritage, Novruz is celebrated by UNESCO too.  For ancient peoples, the world was created at the moment of sunrise from the head of a ram and that was when light was separated from darkness, day from night, and good from evil.

Messenger of kindness and mercy

Novruz is the cyclical beginning of the Persian calendar and the first day of the year in the solar calendar. The ethical importance of Novruz as a holiday of peace and mercy, a day when people are to show kindness, forgiveness, charity, mutual assistance and support, is particularly significant. Our forefathers believed that the sequence and occurrence of many natural and social phenomena were determined by the movements of the planets. On the day of Novruz, all household chores were to be complete by the rise of the morning star, in Jupiter's house. The feast was to be ready; houses were to be decorated with green twigs, and rubbish taken out in the direction of the constellation of Scorpio.  Scientists say that the Deluge and survival of the Prophet Nux (the Biblical Noah), the beginning of Suleyman's rule (the Biblical Solomon) and other well-known historical events might have been associated with Novruz.

The rituals of the holiday have evolved into a unique cultural phenomenon. It does not make sense to search for the origins of the various rituals which are dedicated to Novruz: they may be from different sources. What is important here is that the Azerbaijani, Iranian, Turkish, Afghan, Central Asian and other peoples, who embraced the humanitarian ideals of Novruz, think that it is the most important holiday and this combines well with religious and ethnic traditions. Sociologists note that every nation has enriched Novruz with something special, which has, in turn, made Novruz even more diverse and significant.

Be kind and forgiving

There is a popular belief that farishta, the kind angels, come down to Earth with the onset of Novruz.  They bring prosperity and well-being, joy and hope. But, according to the legend, the angels visit homes where animosity is brooding and where residents have forgotten to tidy up for the New Year.  Hence the two very important rituals of Novruz: first, a thorough clean-up on the eve of the holiday and second, the need to forget about feuds and arguments. After all, he who is full of enmity cannot be happy. This is why the elders, the tribal or community leaders and the clergy have always been eager to help people reconcile. Thanks to their efforts, hatred would give way to reconciliation, peace and accord. In short, the ancient pre-Islamic traditions of Novruz are now mixed with Muslim ones and have become customary for many nations. Today Novruz celebrations are part of the national traditions in dozens of countries in the Near and Middle East. There are many common elements. For example, a few days before Novruz, heralds and jesters, dressed in bright red clothes, come out onto the streets. In Azerbaijan, the main harbingers and protagonists of Novruz are Kecal and Kosa (the bald one and the beardless one). They recite verses, sing songs, and play musical instruments, creating an atmosphere of quiet anticipation. As a sign of renewal, people are to thoroughly clean their houses, whitewash the walls, wash their carpets and rags and, if they can afford it, renew their wardrobes and household goods. In short, they are to be pure for the New Year.  It is curious that, in Iran, salaries to employees are paid with newly printed bills. The Islamic traditions of charity, Zakat and Sadaqat, have their origins in Novruz celebrations. The nobility of the holiday manifests itself in appeals to well-off citizens to help their neighbours and acquaintances, the poor and the needy, so that every person is at least a little happier during the holiday. There is also a tradition of collecting donations for orphanages, boarding schools, homes for the elderly and poor families.

The feast

The holiday feast is a special ritual. Besides numerous viands and sweets, there is a candle on the table, a mirror, and the Qur'an, Islam's contribution. The mandatory dishes on the table are embellished, spicy sekerbura and paxlava, which are shaped into ovals or rhomboids and symbolize the tongues of the burning flame. Painted eggs make the table particularly colourful. There is no alcohol on the table. An important detail of the holiday is the samani, sprouted wheat, beans or peas.  The seeds are grown in dishes and adorned with ribbons, which are mostly red in colour.

A colourful part of the celebrations is axir cersenbe, the night from Tuesday to Wednesday in the last week of the outgoing year. This night is dominated by the element of fire, because everyone lights fires and jumps over them. It is thought that fire purges one of sins; but not only of sins. The jumper is supposed to tell the fire: "Give me your ruddy colour, and I'll give you my pallor!"  The red is considered to be a healthy colour, and paleness is thought to be unhealthy.

The wonderful holiday of Novruz has come down to us through many millennia. It begins yet another solar year, drives out resentment and brings people peace and love.

Novruz, Feng Shui and numerology

The peoples of the East celebrate Novruz in different ways. But they all consider it the day of revival for nature, life, and hopes of a generous and fertile year. Novruz is much more than simply a holiday. There is a popular belief, as old as Novruz itself, that the happier and more joyous the Novruz the more generous nature will be to people that year. Many components of this holiday can be found in the oriental practice of Feng Shui, which the Chinese have been following for about 2,000 years now. And before Novruz, special attention should be paid to Feng Shui. The Chinese believe that by following the rules of Feng Shui, they can improve their material situation, find friends, broaden their career opportunities, improve their health, strengthen ties with partners and, in general, live a fuller and more joyous life. The goal is to achieve inner happiness. Much of what the Feng Shui masters teach can be found in Azerbaijani traditions too, for example, the treating of one's home as a living organism. According to Feng Shui, the home plays the role of mediator between us and the Universe. By changing the energy in the home, we can intentionally change our marital status, our relations with children, with people around us and create true wealth. The house should always be tidy; there should be no mess in it. It is impossible to generate good Feng Shui, or simply speaking, a positive atmosphere in an untidy house with stagnant energy. This is why the peoples of the East have the tradition of spring-cleaning their homes before Novruz Bayrami.  However, Feng Shui suggests that thorough cleaning sessions should be weekly, beginning in the kitchen and ending in the bathroom. In addition, cleaning should be done in a good mood and with pure thoughts. Naturally, the practice of Feng Shui is not limited to just keeping the home clean and tidy. It is really quite a serious and complex science. But, as you study it, you begin to realize that much of what the masters of Feng Shui teach exists in Azerbaijani traditions. And this means that the East, and the peoples who inhabit it form, a single and highly intellectual organism.

Having mentioned the vernal equinox of 20-21 March, we should mention numerology too. This is a belief in the spiritual qualities of numbers and letters. This ancient metaphysical numerology, which has been unveiling the secrets of life for more than 2500 years, takes its origins in the ancient cultures of Greece, China, Rome and Egypt, and is also associated with the Kabbalah. Each number tells its story, along with the date of birth, the name given at birth, or family name. And, of course, the date of the vernal equinox, 20-21 March, can also supply interesting information. Adding 1 to 2 would suffice, this equals 3, a digit that symbolizes perfection because it contains the beginning, the middle and the end. As for 20, in numerology 20 is the same as 2, which signifies balance, femininity, softness, harmony, unity, patience, cooperation and love. The number 2 links one event with another. Now it is clear that everything in this world has its logical explanation, however esoteric.