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    Nowruz 2023: Google doodle's floral art celebrates Persian new year & the season of rebirth

    Watch: Google celebrates Nowruz 2023 with a doodle

    Story outline

    • Nowruz is recognised as an international holiday by the United Nations
    • The festival has its roots in the Iranian religion of Zoroastrianism
    • The festival has been celebrated every year for over 3,000 years
    • Google said that the doodle marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere
    Google on Tuesday celebrated the Persian New Year or Iranian New Year called Nowruz with a floral doodle. The doodle highlights the importance of the ancient holiday that marks the beginning of spring.

    The festival, which is based on the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar on the spring equinox, has its roots in the Iranian religion of Zoroastrianism, however, it has been celebrated by diverse communities for over 3,000 years.

    Nowruz is recognised as an international holiday by the United Nations as the joyful festival is celebrated across the Middle East, the South Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, and Northern, Western, Central, and South Asia.

    "It promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families as well as reconciliation and neighbourliness, thus contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and different communities,” reads the United Nations festival page.
    The Google doodle shared on Tuesday celebrates the season of rebirth and thus represents the theme with Spring flowers - tulips, bee orchids, daffodils and hyacinths.

    As the spring equinox, Nowruz marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere which takes place as soon as the Sun crosses the celestial equator.

    As per Etymology– the study of the origin of words and how their semantic meaning has evolved across time – the word Nowruz is a combination of Persian words ‘now’ meaning ‘new’ and ‘ruz’ meaning ‘day’. Google further highlighted how the festival gives people a time to reflect on the past and set goals for the future.

    "In many cultures, Nowruz also marks the beginning of a new year — a time to reflect on the past, set intentions for the future, and strengthen relationships with loved ones. Some common traditions include: Decorating eggs to honor new life, tidying up your home to prepare for a fresh start, and feasting on spring vegetables and herbs," Google said.

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