Nowruz in Azerbaijan: The arrival of spring and traditions

Today, the Azerbaijani people celebrate Nowruz, one of their most beloved holidays.

İdman.Biz reports that this year, spring in Azerbaijan will begin on March 20 at 13:01.

At this time, day and night will be equal. The sun will move along the ecliptic, passing from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere. From that moment on, the spring season will begin in the Northern Hemisphere.

The spring season in the Northern Hemisphere will last until June 21.

On June 21 at 00:50, spring will be replaced by summer.

Related to the eternal laws of nature and the immutable order of the universe, Nowruz is the first day of spring, heralding the equalizing of night and day. Celebrating Nowruz means welcoming the new year, the first day of spring.

Nowruz was included in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage on September 30, 2009.

In ancient times, many peoples associated the arrival of spring with the revival of nature, held festivals on this occasion, and celebrated it as the beginning of the new year. According to some ancient beliefs, the universe was created from four elements - water, fire, earth and wind. That is why four Tuesdays are celebrated every year before Nowruz.

This holiday also has its own traditions: throwing a belt, eavesdropping, jumping over a bonfire, growing semeni, decorating a khoncha, egg fighting, visiting guests, lighting candles, dancing yally, playing Nowruz games (such as anzali), etc.

Beliefs about Nowruz: "They do not return the belt thrown at the door empty-handed," "If a pleasant conversation is heard from a secretly listened to house, this is a sign that the wish will come true," "When jumping over a bonfire, this phrase is said: "My pain is in you, my success is in me," "On Nowruz, relatives and neighbors visit each other's houses, they bring Nowruz share to them," "On the holiday, they light candles equal to the number of family members," etc.