What Navroz is and how it's celebrated will make you wish you were Persian or Iranian

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The Persian and Iranian New Year is celebrated today by millions worldwide

Rhea Mogul |
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Navroz, or Nowruz, is the Persian and Iranian New Year that marks the first day of spring. Even though this day has Iranian and Zoroastrian origins, it is actually celebrated by many different faiths and ethnicities on March 21 across the globe.

This is a day that's full of friends, food, family, food, festivities, and food. It is celebrated mostly in Western and Central Asia, the Balkans, and the Middle East, and there are aspects that are a little similar to how Chinese New Year is celebrated. For example, Navroz is also when homes are cleaned, and all broken items are repaired or replaced to prepare for a brand new start. People wear new clothes, so much food that's specific to this time of year is prepared for the day, and much of the day is spent by visiting loved ones, and wishing each other a prosperous year ahead.

Hong Kong has a small Zoroastrian community that will be ringing in the New Year together, and this is how the day usually unfolds:

You wake up to a barrage of text messages wishing you a “Navroz Mubarak” ("Happy New Year")

And then you have to reply to each individual one

But soon, anxiety sets in when you realise there's way too many to deal with

You start to get really excited when it’s time to get ready, because, let’s face it, you have been waiting to whip out your sari all month

But wearing one is a challenge you weren’t mentally prepared for

Walking in a sari is also harder than you remembered

 

At the venue, you are greeted by many (emphasis on many) family friends and relatives, most of whom you are trying really hard to remember how to address

But one or two slip-ups are bound to happen

You realise you need to go to the bathroom in a sari and call for backup

After which, you take an obligatory selfie because, "pics, or it didn’t happen"

It’s nearly time for dinner, and this is the moment you’ve been waiting for all day

And when it finally comes out, you cannot contain your excitement

You realise you took way too much

But you’re determined to finish it anyway

You’re super stuffed … but then dessert comes out

Dessert is then cut short because someone is giving a speech

But, despite this, you remember how grateful you are to celebrate Navroz with your family and friends

And can’t wait to do it again next year. Navroz Mubarak, everybody!

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