Google Doodle Celebrates Persian New Year Nowruz

On March 19, 2024, Google's homepage displayed a lively and celebratory Doodle in honor of Nowruz, the Persian New Year. Nowruz is an ancient Iranian festival that is celebrated on the vernal equinox, which marks the beginning of spring. 

• During the vernal equinox, the Earth's axis is in a symmetrical position where it is neither tilted towards nor away from the sun. This leads to almost equal amounts of daylight and darkness at all latitudes. This time is also associated with the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, a time of natural renewal and rebirth.
• The Doodle's intricate design featured various elements of Persian culture, including colorful floral patterns, traditional calligraphy and symbolic items like the Haft-sin table. This table is adorned with seven items starting with the letter "sin" in Persian, symbolizing concepts like renewal, health and wealth.

Nowruz History 

• Nowruz is an ancient festival that has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. It originated in Persia (modern-day Iran) and spread to neighboring countries like Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. 
• The festival, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is deeply rooted in the Iranian plateau's cultural heritage.
• The festival is a time for renewal, hope, and unity that transcends religious and cultural boundaries. Nowruz is celebrated by people of many different religions and ethnicities across Central Asia, the Middle East, and even some parts of the Balkans.
• Nowruz has evolved and spread to other countries along the Silk Road trade routes. While some of the festival's earliest origins lie in Zoroastrianism, it's celebrated by peoples of many different religions and cultures across this vast region.
• In Zoroastrian tradition, the return of spring has its own spiritual significance as it symbolizes the victory of good over evil and joy over sorrow.
• The spirit of Noon, also known as Rapithvina, was believed to be driven underground by the spirit of winter during the cold months, but with the arrival of spring, Rapithvina accompanied ceremonies at noon on the day of Nowruz was welcomed back.