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Iranian New Year
Observed as the beginning of a new year in ancient China , England , Persia , Egypt , North and South America .

Norouz (New Day) occurs exactly when the length of night and day are equal, at the moment of spring equinox, when the Sun sets at the South Pole and rises at the North Pole, and on the equator at noon one will cast no shadow. The time of the year when the people of Northern hemisphere farewell the departure of winter and welcome the arrival of spring.

While most other nations moved their celebration of new year to other days, due to religious, political or ideological concerns, Norouz continues to be the first day of calendar year in Iran and is celebrated by Tajiks, Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Afghans, Belouchis and the multitude of Parsees in India.
To the Iranians, Norouz is far more than just a New Year's celebration, and throughout the

centuries its spirit has helped them through hardship and strife during war and foreign occupation.

Origins
The origins of Norouz have roots in Zoroastrian belief system. This was the religion of Ancient Persia before the advent of Islam 1400 years ago. It is known as the mother religion in the area. The familiar concepts of Hell, Heaven, Resurrection, coming of the Messiah, individual and last judgment were for the first time incorporated into this belief system.

The ancient symbolic representation of Norouz is based around the idea of the triumph of good over evil. The religion believed in two primal forces. The Lord of Wisdom residing in the eternal light who was not God until he created all that was good and became God. The Hostile Spirit, Angra Mainyu (Ahriman), residing in the eternal darkness created all that was bad (The word anger in English comes from the same word "Angra").

The lord of wisdom (Ahura-mazda) created the material world to protect the light from Angra Mainyu and after 12000 years of war decided to move the sun and to create the Norouz.