NORUZ

also spelled No Ruz, or No-ruz, the New Year festival often associated with Zoroastrianism and Parsiism. The festival is celebrated in many countries, including Iran, Iraq, India, and Afghanistan. It usually begins on March 21, which in many of these countries is the first day of the new year. Among the Parsis, the Noruz (New Day) is a celebration that warrants the performance of five prescribed liturgies: the Afringan, prayers of love or praise; the Baj, prayers honouring yazatas (ones worthy of worship) or fravashis (preexistent souls); the Yasna, a rite that includes the offering and ritual drinking of the sacred liquor, haoma; the Fravartigan, or Farokhshi, prayers commemorating the dead; and the Satum, prayers recited at funeral feasts. Throughout the day, Parsis greet one another with the rite of hamazor, in which one's right hand is passed between the palms of another. Words of greeting and good wishes are then exchanged.