Google Doodle today: Celebrating Persian New Year to Mark ‘Nowruz 2025’|
Google has created a special doodle for Nowruz 2025, which celebrates the arrival of the spring season. This is the 3,000-year-old Persian New Year festival, which is celebrated on March 20. This doodle has been designed by a guest artist named Pendar Yoursefi. Google Doodles are basically artistic versions of the Google logo, created to remember special occasions, holidays, or famous people.
About Persian New Year or ‘Nowruz 2025’:
Nowruz means “Nayan Din”. It represents the first day of the spring season and the beginning of the Persian New Year. This festival is linked to Zoroastrian traditions and symbolizes rebirth, hope, and the victory of light over evil. People around the world celebrate it for 13 days. It is also celebrated in the Middle East, Caucasus, Central Asia, and some parts of South Asia and Europe. People keep candles, mirrors, goldfish, and decorated eggs in their homes which represent fertility.
Haft-Sin table:
A special tradition of Nowruz is setting the Half Sin table. It has 7 signs which start with Persian letter “S”:
Sabzeh (Sprouts or wheatgrass) – Rebirth and renewal
Samanu (sweet wheat pudding) – Strength and prosperity
Senjed (dired oleaster fruit) – Love and wisdom
Seer (Garlic) – Health and protection
Seeb (apple) – Beauty and good health
Somaq (sumac berries) – Sunrise and patience
Serkeh (vinegar) – Wisdom and passage of time
Traditions and celebrations of Nowruz:
Khane-takani: People clean their house to remove negative energy and get a place for a new beginning.
Chaharshanbe Suri: A fire-jumping festival is celebrated on the last Wednesday before Nowruz. People jump over a bonfire and recite chants to ward off bad luck.
Family Visits and Gifts: People visit their family and friends, give gifts, and eat traditional dishes like Ash Reshteh (noodle soup) and Sabzi Polo ba Mahi (herbed rice with fish).
Sizdeh Bedar: On the last day of the festival, people spend time outside to welcome spring and connect with nature.
About Guest Artist Pendar Yousefi:
Pendar Yousefi is a California-based UX designer who leads the Google Translate Design team. His job is to reduce language barriers and create inclusive digital experiences. He also enjoys storytelling, art, and printmaking. He has just released his first children’s book. Nowruz is a festival that symbolizes rebirth and unity and brings people together.
