The springtime festival of Nowruz marks the beginning of the Iranian or Persian New Year. Nowruz celebrations typically begin on the vernal equinox, which falls around March 20th or 21st each year. The festival has roots in Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion, and has been observed as a secular celebration by various cultures and ethnic groups across the region. According to the United Nations, Nowruz has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions.
The festival of Nowruz heralds the arrival of spring and celebrates the spirit of rebirth or renewal. Traditional customs include spring cleaning, preparing a special meal and getting together with friends and family. One of the most important Nowruz traditions is haft-sīn, in which a table is decorated with seven symbolic items representing elements of life and nature.
On March 19, 2024, Google has released a special Doodle to mark Nowruz. Illustrated by artist Pendar Yousefi, this vibrant artwork depicts animals gathering under a blooming tree.
“In constructing the scene, I've drawn from my own happy childhood memories of Nowruz, which evoke feelings of joy, togetherness, and hope,” the Iranian artist explained. “These are captured through the animal friends who have gathered in a flower-filled courtyard to ring in the coming of spring under the blossoming tree.”
“Even in challenging times, the spirit of Nowruz - the promise of renewal and a new day on the horizon - offers a beacon of hope,” Yousefi added.
Celebrated as it is by several communities across the world, coming up with one Google Doodle to capture the spirit of Nowruz was no easy task. “As I learned more about the rich tapestry of Nowruz traditions across different communities, it became clear that capturing them all in one Doodle would be a challenge. So, my process involved a lot of research into the Nowruz customs and artistic traditions of these communities,” the artist said.
Yousefi decided to use “the visual language of illuminated manuscripts as the anchoring theme.”
“From there it was about finding a fresh, modern take on the unique geometries and patterns of that style and making sure the letterforms weren't lost,” he said.
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