The first day of spring for Iranians is the beginning of nature’s cycle, the ending of the current year to start the new one. This is the time when day and night are equal, nature has passed through the cold weather, and moderate weather begins.
The ground wakes from winter sleep, and restarts life and movement again.
Nowruz feast, which is one of the oldest existing customs of the world, has seen some small changes during its history, but still remains and has always been important as a national ritual. Thus, learning about Nowruz traditions and other facts about Nowruz in Iran is vital to understanding the country’s rich culture.
At PersianPod101.com, we hope to make this culture delving both fun and enlightening. So let’s get started!
1. What is Persian New Year?
Persian New Year (also called Nowruz), is the Persian celebration of the coming of spring. It’s a day full of family and festivities, and is, of course, dripping with tradition. There are many Persian New Year traditions that are observed each year, from Nowruz foods to Persian New Year gifts. And of course, Persian New Year greetings.
2. When is Nowruz?
The date of Persian New Year is fascinating, as it takes place on the vernal equinox, marking the beginning of spring. Typically, celebrations take place on March 21, but sometimes it’s celebrated on March 20 or March 22 instead.
3. How is Nowruz Celebrated?
So, how is Nowruz celebrated? Read the Persian text below to find out (you can find the English translation directly below it).
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فعالیت های نوروزی در واقع مدتها پیش از عید آغاز می شوند. یکی از این فعالیت ها «خانه تکانی» است که با نزدیک شدن به سال جدید٬ شور و شوق آن در میان مردم اوج می گیرد. در هر خانه ای اعضای خانواده شروع به نظافت٬ شست و شو٬ و مرتب کردن اطراف محل زندگی خود می شوند٬ تا برای شب عید ظاهری تمیز و آراسته داشته باشد. به این اعمال «خانه تکانی» گفته می شود که به معنی تکاندن و زدودن گرد و غبار از خانه می باشد. سپس همگی با پوشیدن لباس های نو و یا تر و تمیز به انتظار تحویل سال جدید می نشینند.
با شنیدن اسم نوروز به یاد سفرهٔ هفت سین می افتیم. سفرهٔ هفت سین عبارت است از مجموعه ای از اشیاء و خوردنی هایی که روی میز یا پارچه ای می چینند و همگی با حرف «سین» از الفبای فارسی شروع می شوند. این اشیاء که هر کدام نشانگر مفاهیم خاصی مانند خیر و برکت هستند معمولاً عبارت اند از- سنجد٬ سیب٬ سبزه٬ سمنو٬ سیر٬ سرکه٬ سماق٬ و سکه. آینه٬ شمع، ماهی قرمز، تخم مرغ رنگی و کتاب دیوان حافظ نیز از دیگر تزئینات سفرهٔ هفت سین می باشند. اعضای خانواده دور این سفره جمع شده عید را به یکدیگر تبریک می گوید و افراد مسن تر به جوان تر ها به عنوان عیدی اسکناس هدیه می دهند.
از مهمترین رسومی که از ایام قدیم برای نوروز به جا مانده است٬ رفتن به «عید دیدنی» است. در این ایام٬ مردم به خانهٔ اقوام٬ دوستان و آشنایان خود می روند٬ از مهمانان خود نیز با شیرینی و آجیل و میوه پذیرایی می کنند و ساعات خوشی را در کنار هم سپری می کنند. همچنین سفر به شهر های مختلف و رفتن به دامن طبیعت نیز از عادات دلپذیر مردم ایران در عید نوروز می باشد. بدین ترتیب مردم خود را برای سالی جدید، سرشار از کار و فعالیت ، شادی و موفقیت آماده می کنند.
آیا می دانستید که برای نوروز نیز شخصیتی شبیه به بابا نوئل وجود دارد با نام «عمو نوروز»؟ او نیز پیرمرد ریش دار مهربانی است که آمدن سال نو را به مردم خبر می دهد. شخصیت دیگری نیز با نام «حاجی فیروز» با چهرهٔ سیاه شده و لباس های قرمز و طبل کوچکی در دست در خیابان ها به رقص و آواز و شیرین کاری پرداخته مردم را سرگرم می کند.
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Nowruz activities, in fact, begin several days before the Eid. One of these activities is spring cleaning. As the new year approaches, happiness and enthusiasm fill the heart of people. In each house, family members begin to clean, wash, and tidy around their living areas to have a clean and tidy appearance for the Eid. These activities are called “Khane Tekani,” which literally means shaking out or removing of dust from their house. Then, all family members put on their new or clean clothes and wait for the beginning of the New Year.
When we hear Nowruz, we remember Sofre-ye Haft-Seen. Sofre-ye Haft-Seen includes a series of objects and food they set on the table or a piece of cloth, whose names begin with the sound “s” in Persian. These objects, which represent such concepts as goodness and blessings, usually include: Senjed (dried oleaster wild olive fruit), Sib (apple), Sabze (sprouts from green plants), Samanoo (sweet pudding), Sir (garlic), Serke (vinegar), Somaq (sumac), and Sekke (a coin). A mirror, candle, goldfish, colored eggs, and collection of Hafez poems are among the other decorations on Sofre-ye Haft-Seen. Family members gather around this cloth, congratulating each other on the Eid, and the older members give the younger ones paper money as New Year gifts.
One of the most important traditions that still remains from ancient times is eid didani. On these days, people visit relatives, friends, and acquaintances, receiving their guests by giving them candies, dried nuts, and fruit. They spend happy hours together. Making a trip to various towns and spending time in nature are among popular activities with Iranians on Nowruz. This way, people prepare themselves for a year full of work, activity, jubilation, and success.
Did you know that there is a character like Santa Claus for Nowruz called “Amu Nowruz” (Uncle Nowruz)? He is also a kind white bearded old man who announces the coming New Year to people. There is also another character called “Haji Firouz” with a black face and red clothes, who takes a small drum on the streets and dances, sings, and does funny things to amuse people.
4. Additional Information
The first Nowruz food eaten in the New Year is commonly “Sabzi Polo ba Maahi.” The hope for the greenness and productivity of nature, the bounty of rice, the active movements of the fish, and the symbol of appreciating the bounties of God in the New Year are some reasons for this dish’s popularity.
5. Must-know Vocab
Here’s some vocabulary you should know for the Persian New Year!
سال (saal) — year
نیمه شب (nime shab) — midnight
روز آغاز سال نو (rooz-e aaqaaz-e saal-e no) — New Year’s Day
میهمانی (mihmaani) — party
شامپاین (shaampaayn) — champagne
آتش بازى (aatash baazi) — firework
رقص (raqs) — dancing
جشن (jashn) — celebration
به سلامتی (be salaamati) — toast
شب سال نو (shab-e saal-e no) — New Year’s Eve
شمارش معکوس (shomaaresh-e ma’koos) — countdown
تصمیم (tasmim) — resolution
تعطیلات سال نو (ta’tilaat-e saal-e no) — New Year’s Holiday
کاغذ رنگی (kaaqaz rangi) — confetti
رژه (rezhe) — parade
To hear each vocabulary word pronounced, check out our Persian New Year vocabulary list. Here, you’ll find each word accompanied by an audio of its pronunciation.
Conclusion
Now you know about Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebration. Does your country celebrate the New Year similarly to Iran, or are celebrations in your country different? Let us know in the comments!
To learn more about the Persian language and culture, visit us at PersianPod101.com. We offer an array of insightful blog posts as well as free vocabulary lists. You can also upgrade your account to begin using our MyTeacher program for a one-on-one learning experience with your own personal Persian teacher!
Know that your hard work will soon reap benefits, and you’ll be speaking Persian like a native before you know it. In the meantime, reward your efforts with a nice glass of shaampaayn. 😉
Learn all the Persian New Year wishes online, in your own time, on any device! Join PersianPod101 for a special Persian New Year celebration!
Can you relate to the year passing something like this: “January, February, March – December!”? Many people do! Quantum physics teaches us that time is relative, and few experiences illustrate this principle as perfectly as when we reach the end of a year. To most of us, it feels like the old one has passed in the blink of an eye, while the new year lies ahead like a very long journey! However, New Year is also a time to celebrate beginnings, and to say goodbye to what has passed. This is true in every culture, no matter when New Year is celebrated.
So, how do you say Happy New Year in Persian? Let a native teach you! At PersianPod101, you will learn how to correctly greet your friends over New Year, and wish them well with these Persian New Year wishes!
In Iran, the New Year traditionally begins on the first day of spring, typically sometime around March 20. Iranians start their New Year as the earth awakens from its winter hibernation and plants spring forth from the ground, which is why the New Year is called Nowrooz, meaning “new day” in Persian.
In this lesson, you will learn about how during Nowrooz, members of Iranian families gather around the Sofre-ye Haft-Seen, literally meaning the seven ‘S’s table, to wish each other a happy New Year, eat dinner, and relax together.
Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-
What is commonly eaten on the first day of the New Year in Iran?
If you don’t already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep reading.
Nowrooz activities actually begin several days before the Eid. One of these activities is spring cleaning. In each household, family members clean, wash, and tidy up their living spaces in preparation for the Eid, which means feast. These activities are called Khaane Tekaani, which literally means the shaking out or removing of dust from the house. After this is finished, the family members put on their new, clean clothes and wait for the New Year to come.
When Iranians hear the word Nowrooz, they often think of Sofre-ye Haft-Seen, which refers to a series of objects and foods that are set on the table or onto a piece of cloth, the names of which all begin with the sound ‘s’ in Persian.These objects represent concepts such as goodness and blessings. Among them, there is usually Senjed, which is dried oleaster wild olive fruit, Sib or apple, Sabzeh or sprouts from green plants, Samanoo or sweet pudding, Sir or garlic, Serkeh or vinegar, Somaq or sumac, and Sekke, which is a coin. A mirror, a candle, a goldfish, colored eggs, and a collection of Hafez poems are also oftentimes included. Family members gather around the display to congratulate each other on the Eid, and older members give younger ones money as a New Year’s gift.
One of the most important traditions that still remains intact from ancient times is eid didani. On eid didani, people visit relatives, friends, and acquaintances, and the host receives their guests by giving them candies, dried nuts, and fruits. Making trips out to various towns and spending time outdoors are popular activities among Iranians on Nowrooz. This way, people prepare themselves for a year full of work, activity, jubilation, and success. The older members of the family present the Eidi or New Year’s gift, which in most cases is cash in brand new bills, to the younger members.
Did you know that Iranians also celebrate a character similar to Santa Claus during Nowrooz called Amoo Nowrooz, or Uncle Nowrooz? Like his western counterpart, Uncle Nowrooz is a kind old man with a white beard who announces the coming New Year to the people. There is another character related to the New Year named Haji Firooz. With a black face and red clothes, he dances, sings, beats a drum, and performs comical routines to amuse onlookers in the streets.
Now it’s time to answer our quiz question-
What is commonly eaten on the first day of the New Year in Iran?
The first food eaten in the New Year is usually Sabzi Polo baa Maahi, a dish comprised of rice, fish, chopped vegetables, spices, salt, and oil. The components of this dish represent the productivity of nature, the bounty of rice, and the active movements of fish. Eating this food on Nowrooz symbolizes an appreciation for the bounties provided by God in the New Year.
Happy New Year!
عید شما مبارک eid-e shomaa mobaarak
2. Must-Know Persian Words & Phrases for the New Year!
1- Year
سال saal
This is pretty self-explanatory. Most countries follow a Gregorian calendar, which has approximately 365 days in a year, while in some cultures, other year designations are also honored. Therefore, New Year’s day in Iran could fall on a different day than in your country. When do you celebrate New Year?
2- Midnight
نیمه شب نیمه شب nime shab
The point in time when a day ends and a new one starts. Many New Year celebrants prefer to stay awake till midnight, and greet the new annum as it breaks with fanfare and fireworks!
3- New Year’s Day
روز آغاز سال نو rooz-e aaqaaz-e saal-e no
In most countries, the new year is celebrated for one whole day. On the Gregorian calendar, this falls on January 1st. On this day, different cultures engage in festive activities, like parties, parades, big meals with families and many more.
4- Party
میهمانی mihmaani
A party is most people’s favorite way to end the old year, and charge festively into the new one! We celebrate all we accomplished in the old year, and joyfully anticipate what lies ahead.
5- Dancing
رقص raqs
Usually, when the clock strikes midnight and the New Year officially begins, people break out in dance! It is a jolly way to express a celebratory mood with good expectations for the year ahead. Also, perhaps, that the old year with its problems has finally passed! Dance parties are also a popular way to spend New Year’s Eve in many places.
6- Champagne
شامپاین shaampaayn
Originating in France, champagne is a bubbly, alcoholic drink that is often used to toast something or someone during celebrations.
7- Fireworks
آتش بازى aatash baazi
These are explosives that cause spectacular effects when ignited. They are popular for announcing the start of the new year with loud noises and colorful displays! In some countries, fireworks are set off to scare away evil spirits. In others, the use of fireworks is forbidden in urban areas due to their harmful effect on pets. Most animals’ hearing is much more sensitive than humans’, so this noisy display can be very frightful and traumatising to them.
8- Countdown
شمارش معکوس shomaaresh-e ma’koos
This countdown refers to New Year celebrants counting the seconds, usually backward, till midnight, when New Year starts – a great group activity that doesn’t scare animals, and involves a lot of joyful shouting when the clock strikes midnight!
9- New Year’s Holiday
تعطیلات سال نو ta’tilaat-e saal-e no
In many countries, New Year’s Day is a public holiday – to recuperate from the party the previous night, perhaps! Families also like to meet on this day to enjoy a meal and spend time together.
10- Confetti
کاغذ رنگی kaaqaz rangi
In most Western countries, confetti is traditionally associated with weddings, but often it is used as a party decoration. Some prefer to throw it in the air at the strike of midnight on New Year’s Eve.
11- New Year’s Eve
شب سال نو shab-e saal-e no
This is the evening before New Year breaks at midnight! Often, friends and family meet for a party or meal the evening before, sometimes engaging in year-end rituals. How are you planning to give your New Year greetings in 2018?
12- Toast
به سلامتی be salaamati
A toast is a type of group-salutation that involves raising your glass to drink with others in honor of something or someone. A toast to the new year is definitely in order!
13- Resolution
تصمیم tasmim
Those goals or intentions you hope to, but seldom keep in the new year! Many people consider the start of a new year to be the opportune time for making changes or plans. Resolutions are those intentions to change, or the plans. It’s best to keep your resolutions realistic so as not to disappoint yourself!
14- Parade
رژه rezhe
New Year celebrations are a huge deal in some countries! Parades are held in the streets, often to celebratory music, with colorful costumes and lots of dancing. Parades are like marches, only less formal and way more fun. At PersianPod101, you can engage in forums with natives who can tell you what Persian New Year celebrations are like!
3. Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions
So, you learned the Persian word for ‘resolution’. Fabulous! Resolutions are those goals and intentions that we hope to manifest in the year that lies ahead. The beginning of a new year serves as a good marker in time to formalise these. Some like to do it in writing, others only hold these resolutions in their hearts. Here are our Top 10 New Year’s resolutions at PersianPod101 – what are yours?
Learn these phrases and impress your Persian friends with your vocabulary.
1- Read more
مطالعه بیشتر Motaale’eye bishtar
Reading is a fantastic skill that everyone can benefit from. You’re a business person? Apparently, successful business men and women read up to 60 books a year. This probably excludes fiction, so better scan your library or Amazon for the top business reads if you plan to follow in the footsteps of the successful! Otherwise, why not make it your resolution to read more Persian in the new year? You will be surprised by how much this will improve your Persian language skills!
2- Spend more time with family
گذراندن وقت بیشتر همراه خانواده Gozaraandan-e vaghte bishtar hamraahe khaanevadeh
Former US President George Bush’s wife, Barbara Bush, was quoted as having said this: “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, a parent.” This is very true! Relationships are often what gives life meaning, so this is a worthy resolution for any year.
3- Lose weight
وزن کم کردن vazn kam kardan
Hands up, how many of you made this new year’s resolution last year too…?! This is a notoriously difficult goal to keep, as it takes a lot of self discipline not to eat unhealthily. Good luck with this one, and avoid unhealthy fad diets!
4- Save money
پس انداز پول Pasandaaz-e pul
Another common and difficult resolution! However, no one has ever been sorry when they saved towards reaching a goal. Make it your resolution to save money to upgrade your subscription to PersianPod101’s Premium PLUS option in the new year – it will be money well spent!
5- Quit smoking
ترک سیگار Tark-e sigaar
This is a resolution that you should definitely keep, or your body could punish you severely later! Smoking is a harmful habit with many hazardous effects on your health. Do everything in your power to make this resolution come true in the new year, as your health is your most precious asset.
6- Learn something new
یادگیری چیزی جدید Yaadgiri-e chizi jadid
Science has proven that learning new skills can help keep brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay! It can even slow down the progression of the disease. So, keep your brain healthy by learning to speak a new language, studying towards a qualification, learning how to sew, or how to play chess – no matter how old you are, the possibilities are infinite!
7- Drink less
کمتر مشروب نوشیدن kamtar mashroob nooshidan
This is another health resolution that is good to heed any time of the year. Excessive drinking is associated with many diseases, and its effect can be very detrimental to good relationships too. Alcohol is a poison and harmful for the body in large quantities!
8- Exercise regularly
ورزش مداوم Varzesh-e modaavem
This resolution goes hand-in-hand with ‘Lose weight’! An inactive body is an unhealthy and often overweight one, so give this resolution priority in the new year.
9- Eat healthy
تغذیه سالم Taqzieye saalem
If you stick with this resolution, you will lose weight and feel better in general. It is a very worthy goal to have!
10- Study Persian with PersianPod101
یادگیری فارسی با پرشین پاد ۱۰۱ yaadgiriye faarsi baa pershenpaad 101
Of course! You can only benefit from learning Persian, especially with us! Learning how to speak Persian can keep your brain healthy, it can widen your circle of friends, and improve your chances to land a dream job anywhere in the world. PersianPod101 makes it easy and enjoyable for you to stick to this resolution.
4. Inspirational New Year Quotes
Everyone knows that it is sometimes very hard to stick to resolutions, and not only over New Year. The reasons for this vary from person to person, but all of us need inspiration every now and then! A good way to remain motivated is to keep inspirational quotes near as reminders that it’s up to us to reach our goals.
Make decorative notes of these in Persian, and keep them close! Perhaps you could stick them above your bathroom mirror, or on your study’s wall. This way you not only get to read Persian incidentally, but also remain inspired to reach your goals! Imagine feeling like giving up on a goal, but reading this quote when you go to the bathroom: “It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” What a positive affirmation!
5. Inspirational Language Learning Quotes
Still undecided whether you should enroll with PersianPod101 to learn a new language? There’s no time like the present to decide! Let the following Language Learning Quotes inspire you with their wisdom.
As legendary President Nelson Mandela once said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” So, learning how to say Happy New Year in Persian could well be a way into someone special’s heart for you! Let this year be the one where you to learn how to say Happy New Year, and much more, in Persian – it could open many and unexpected doors for you.
6. How To Say Happy New Year in 31 Languages
Here’s a lovely bonus for you! Why stop with Persian – learn how to say Happy New Year in 31 other languages too! Watch this video and learn how to pronounce these New Year’s wishes like a native in under two minutes.
7. Why Enrolling with PersianPod101 Would Be the Perfect New Year’s Gift to Yourself!
If you are unsure how to celebrate the New Year, why not give yourself a huge gift, and enroll to learn Persian! With more than 12 years of experience behind us, we know that PersianPod101 would be the perfect fit for you. There are so many reasons for this!
Custom-tailored Learning Paths: Start learning Persian at the level that you are. We have numerous Learning Pathways, and we tailor them just for you based on your goals and interests! What a boon!
Marked Progress and Fresh Learning Material Every Week: We make new lessons available every week, with an option to track your progress. Topics are culturally appropriate and useful, such as “Learning how to deliver negative answers politely to a business partner.” Our aim is to equip you with Persian that makes sense!
Multiple Learning Tools: Learn in fun, easy ways with resources such 1,000+ video and audio lessons, flashcards, detailed PDF downloads, and mobile apps suitable for multiple devices!
Fast Track Learning Option: If you’re serious about fast-tracking your learning, Premium Plus would be the perfect way to go! Enjoy perks such as personalised lessons with ongoing guidance from your own, native-speaking teacher, and one-on-one learning on your mobile app! You will not be alone in your learning. Weekly assignments with non-stop feedback, answers and corrections will ensure speedy progress.
Fun and Easy: Keeping the lessons fun and easy-to-learn is our aim, so you will stay motivated by your progress!
Do you know any ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Persian? PersianPod101 brings you easy-to-learn translations and the correct pronunciation of Persian Christmas phrases!
Christmas is the annual commemorative festival of Christ’s birth in the Western Christian Church. It takes place on December 25th and is usually celebrated with much food and fanfare! However, not all cultures celebrate Christmas. In some countries, Christmas is not even a public holiday! However, many countries have adapted Christmas and its religious meaning to tally with their own beliefs, or simply in acknowledgment of the festival’s importance to other cultures. If you want to impress native Persian speakers with culturally-appropriate Christmas phrases and vocabulary, PersianPod101 will teach you the most important ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Persian!
1. Holiday Greetings and Wishes for the Holiday Season
1- Merry Christmas!
کریسمس مبارک! krismas mobaarak!
Do you know how to say ‘Merry Christmas’ in Persian? Learn here how to pronounce it perfectly! ‘Merry’ means to be joyful, to celebrate and generally be in good spirits. So, with this phrase you are wishing someone a joyful, celebratory remembrance of Christ’s birth!
2- Happy Kwanzaa!
کوانزا مبارک! koaanzaa mobaarak!
Surprise your African-American, or West African native friends with this phrase over the Christmas holidays! Kwanzaa is a seven-day, non-religious celebration, starting on Dec 26th each year. It has its roots in African American modern history, and many people celebrate both Kwanzaa and Christmas!
3- Have a happy New Year!
سال نوی خوبی داشته باشید! saal-e noye khoobi daashte baashid!
In countries where Christmas is not officially celebrated, but a Gregorian calendar is observed, this would be a friendly festive-season wish over New Year.
4- Happy Hanukkah!
جشن روشنایی مبارک! jashn-e roshanaayi mobaarak!
Hanukkah is the beautiful Hebrew festival over November or December each year. It is also called the ‘Festival of Lights’ and is celebrated to commemorate the Jewish freedom of religion.
This is a good phrase to keep handy if someone doesn’t observe any religious festival over the Christmas holidays! However, this will only be applicable in the Northern hemisphere, where it is winter over Christmas.
6- See you next year!
سال آینده می‌بینمتون! saal-e aayande mibinametoon!
Going away on holiday over Christmas season, or saying goodbye to someone about to leave on vacation? This would be a good way to say goodbye to your friends and family.
7- Warm wishes!
بهترین آرزوها! behtarin aarezoohaa!
An informal, friendly phrase to write in Persian Christmas cards, especially for secular friends who prefer to observe Christmas celebrations without the religious symbolism. It conveys the warmth of friendship and friendly wishes associated with this time of year.
8- Happy holidays!
تعطیلات مبارک! ta’tilaat mobaarak!
If you forget how to say ‘Merry Christmas!’ in Persian, this is a safe, generic phrase to use instead.
9- Enjoy the holidays!
از تعطیلات لذت ببرید! az ta’tilaat lezzat bebarid!
After saying ‘Merry Christmas’ in Persian, this would be a good phrase with which to wish Christmas holiday-goers well! It is also good to use for secular friends who don’t celebrate Christmas but take a holiday at this time of the year.
10- Best wishes for the New Year!
بهترین آرزوها برای سال جدید! behtarin aarezoohaa baraaye saal-e jadid!
This is another way of wishing someone well in the New Year if they observe a Gregorian calendar. New Year’s day would then fall on January 1st.
2. Must-Know Christmas Day Vocabulary
Christmas is associated with many traditions and religious symbols in multiple countries across the world. It originated centuries ago in the West with the birth of Christianity, and the celebrations are often embedded with rich cultural significance. So, by now you know how to say Merry Christmas in Persian! Next, learn pertinent vocabulary and phrases pertaining to Christmas, as well as how to pronounce them correctly. At PersianPod101, we make sure you sound like a native speaker!
1- Christmas
کریسمس kirismas
This is the Persian word for ‘Christmas’. Most happy Christmas wishes in Persian will include this word!
2- Snow
برف barf
In most Northern-hemisphere countries, Christmas is synonymous with snow, and for Christmas, the snowman is often dressed as Santa Claus.
3- Snowflake
دانه برف daaneye barf
Snowflakes collectively make up snow. A single snowflake is small, white, light like a feather and icy cold! When put under a microscope, the snowflake reveals itself to have the most beautiful, symmetrical patterns. These patterns have become popular Christmas decorations, especially in Western countries.
4- Snowman
آدم برفی aadam barfi
As you guessed – a snowman is only possible to build if it is snowing! What a fun way to spend Christmas day outside.
5- Turkey
بوقلمون booqalamoon
Roast turkey is the traditional main dish on thousands of lunch tables on Christmas day, mainly in Western countries. What is your favorite Christmas dish?
6- Wreath
حلقه گل halqeye gol
Another traditional Western decoration for Christmas, the wreath is an arrangement of flowers, leaves, or stems fastened in a ring. Many families like to hang a Christmas wreath outside on their houses’ front doors.
7- Reindeer
گوزن شمالی gavazn-e shomaali
Reindeer are the animals commonly fabled to pull Santa Claus’ sled across the sky! Western Christmas folklore tells of Father Christmas or Santa Claus doing the rounds with his sled, carrying Christmas presents for children, and dropping them into houses through the chimney. But who is Santa Claus?
8- Santa Claus
بابا نوئل Baabaa Noel
Santa Claus is a legendary and jolly figure originating in the Western Christian culture. He is known by many names, but is traditionally depicted as a rotund man wearing a red costume with a pointy hat, and sporting a long, snow-white beard!
9- Elf
جن jen
An elf is a supernatural creature of folklore with pointy ears, a dainty, humanoid body and a capricious nature. Elves are said to help Santa Claus distribute presents to children over Christmas!
10- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
رودلف گوزن قرمز بینی Rudolf Gavazn-e bini-qermez
‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ is a Christmas song based on an American children’s story book with the same name. Rudolph is one of Santa’s reindeer. The song became more famous than the book, and can still be heard playing in many shopping malls over Christmas time across the globe!
11- North Pole
قطب شمال qotb-e shomaal
The cold North Pole is where Santa Claus is reputed to live with his reindeer!
12- Sled
سورتمه Soortmeh
A sled is a non-motorised land vehicle used to travel over snow in countries where it snows a lot, and is usually pulled by animals such as horses, dogs or reindeer. This one obviously refers to Santa’s sled! Another word for sled is sleigh or sledge.
13- Present
هدیه hedie
Gift or present giving is synonymous with Christmas Eve and the greatest source of joy for children over this festive time! This tradition signifies that Christ’s birth was a gift to mankind, but not all people who hand out presents over Christmas observe the religious meaning.
14- Bell
زنگوله zangoole
On Christmas Day, or Christmas Eve, many religious celebrants enjoy going to church for a special sermon and Christmas rituals. The start of the sermon is often announced with bells or a bell, if the church has one. For this reason, the sound of ringing bells is often associated with Christmas Day.
15- Chimney
دودکش doodkesh
The chimney is the entrance Santa Claus uses to deliver children’s presents on Christmas Day, according to folklore! Wonder how the chubby man and his elves stay clean…?!
16- Fireplace
شومینه Shomineh
In most countries where it snows, Christmas is synonymous with a fire or burning embers in houses’ fireplaces. Families huddle around its warmth while opening Christmas presents. Also, this is where Santa Claus is reputed to pop out after his journey down the chimney!
17- Christmas Day
روز کریسمس rooz-e krismas
This is the official day of commemorative celebration of Christ’s birth, and falls each year on December 25.
18- Decoration
تزیین taz’in
Decorations are the colourful trinkets and posters that make their appearance in shops and homes during the Christmas holiday season in many countries! They give the places a celebratory atmosphere in anticipation of the big Christmas celebration. Typical Christmas decorations include colorful photographs and posters, strings of lights, figurines of Santa Claus and the nativity scene, poinsettia flowers, snowflakes and many more.
19- Stocking
جوراب ساق‌بلند jooraab-e saaq boland
According to legend, Santa Claus places children’s presents in a red stocking hanging over the fireplace. This has also become a popular decoration, signifying Christmas.
20- Holly
راج raaj
Holly is a shrub native to the UK, and parts of Europe, Africa and Asia. It is characterised by glossy, spiny-toothed leaves, small, whitish flowers, and red berries. Ironically, its significance for Christmas relates to Christ’s crucifixion and suffering rather than his birth. However, the leaves’ distinctive shape and image have become popular Christmas decorations.
21- Gingerbread house
خانه نان زنجفیلی khaaneye naan-e zanjefili
According to legend, the gingerbread house synonymous with Christmas is related to Christ’s birth place, Bethlehem. Bethlehem literally means ‘House of Bread’. Over centuries, it has become a popular treat over Christmas time in many non-religious households as well.
22- Candy cane
آبنبات عصایی aabnabaat-e asaayi
According to folklore, Christmas candy canes made their appearance first in Germany in the 16th century. A choir master gave children the candy canes to suck on in church in order to keep them quiet during the Christmas sermon! Apparently, the candy is shaped like a cane in remembrance of the shepherds who were the first to visit the baby Jesus. Today, like gingerbread houses, they are still a popular sweet over the festive season!
23- Mistletoe
دارواش daarvaash
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on certain trees. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the mistletoe has magical powers, and could protect a household from evil if hung above a door during December. The belief didn’t last but the habit did, and the mistletoe is another popular Christmas decoration!
3. Twelve Days of Christmas
Wow, you’re doing extremely well! You know how to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Persian, and you learned pertinent vocabulary too! The Twelve Days of Christmas is not very well known in modern times, so, you’re on your way to becoming an expert in Christmas traditions and rituals. Well done!
The Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, is a traditional festive period of 12 days dedicated to celebrate the nativity of Christ. Christmas Day is, for many who observe Twelvetide, the first day of this period.
‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ is also a popular Christmas song about a series of gifts given on each day of Twelvetide. According to experts, these gifts were created as a coded reference to important symbols in the Christian church. Here is a list of those gifts mentioned in the song! Do you recognise them?
4. Top 10 Christmas Characters in American Culture
This is fantastic, you know how to explain almost everything about Christmas in Persian! However, do you know the most popular Christmas characters in American culture? Your knowledge will not be complete without this list.
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