Google Celebrates Persian New Year 'Nowruz' With A Colourful Doodle
Google is marking the arrival of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, with a colorful and captivating Doodle designed by guest artist Pendar Yousefi on Thursday.
According to the Persian calendar, Nowruz, which translates to “new day” in Persian, is celebrated as the beginning of the New Year. This year, the celebrations fall on March 20, 2025, at 5:01 AM EST, coinciding with the vernal equinox, a moment when day and night are of equal length.
In the spirit of the festival, Google’s Doodle highlights the traditional Nowruz practice of setting up a “haft-sin table.” This table is an essential part of the Nowruz celebrations, showcasing seven symbolic items, all of which begin with the Persian letter ‘sin.’ Each item holds deep significance:
- Seer (garlic): Represents health
- Seeb (apple): Symbolizes beauty
- Somāq (sumac berries): Signifies the sunrise
- Serkeh (vinegar): Stands for patience
- Sabzeh (sprouts): A symbol of rebirth and renewal
- Senjed (dried oleaster fruit): Represents love
- Samanou (wheat pudding): A sign of strength
These symbolic items not only add beauty to the Haft-Sin table but also represent the themes of health, growth, love, and renewal, which resonate deeply with the messages of Nowruz.
Nowruz is more than just the start of a new year; it marks the arrival of spring and is a time for people to embrace new beginnings, fresh hope, and personal growth.
Also, read| Google Doodle Pays Tribute To KK: The Soulful Voice Of Bollywood
It is a festive occasion for families and friends to gather, enjoy special meals, and take part in cultural traditions. Among the many activities associated with the celebration are spring cleaning, which is believed to help sweep away the negativity of the past year, and leaping over bonfires, a tradition that is thought to purify the soul and bring energy for the coming year.
The Doodle also incorporates visuals associated with these traditions, including blooming flowers, birds, apples, and festive cooking, all of which are elements central to the celebration of Nowruz.
Nowruz festivities last for 13 days, each day filled with unique cultural rituals. One of the most anticipated events is Sizdah Bedar, the final day of the celebrations, where people spend time outdoors enjoying picnics and connecting with nature.
A special tradition involves the release of Sabzeh, the sprouted greens from the Haft-Sin table, into running water to symbolize the disposal of bad luck.
Also, read| Google Unleashes Next-Gen AI Models For Robotics And Automation
Although Nowruz originated in ancient Persia (modern-day Iran), its significance has spread across the globe, and it is now observed in many countries, especially in regions with Persian influence.
In 2010, UNESCO recognized Nowruz as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity due to its cultural importance and long-standing history.
